Real World Gardener-Horticulture, Gardening, Learning to Grow

PLANT DOCTOR

Saving Water and Soil Wetters

The weather has started to cool especially in some districts, however, there are still others that are experiencing warm conditions. Not far from many gardeners thoughts, are saving water. For those on town water, the water bill may seem pretty high but if you’re relying on tank water, then water may need to be conserved ever so carefully. 

In this next segment, Steve and I go through some water saving tactics, some old some new. I'm talking with Steve Falcioni from www.ecoogranicgarden.com.au Let’s find out . There are plenty of water saving tips that you could try if you're not doing that alrady.

Wash your vegetables in a tub of water

Run-off the cold water for your shower into a bucket or watering can

Direct the water from your washing machine onto the garden.

Grey water is not regarded as sterile. You should not be storing grey water.

Not safe for edible plants.

How Wetting Agents Work?

Soils that have been dry for a long period or are low in organic matter may become water repellant.

When you water, it tends to run off or pool on the surface.

Why? soil particles develop waxy coating.

Wetting agents contain molecules that adhere to waxy particles and water at the same time.

When applied to the soil, the molecule grabs onto the soil particle that's coated in wax, so that when you water,  the water gets grabbed by the wetting agent so the water penetrates the soil.

 

If you have any questions of course, why not email [email protected] or write in to 2RRR P.O. Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

PLANT DOCTOR

Saving Water and Soil Wetters

The weather has started to cool especially in some districts, however, there are still others that are experiencing warm conditions. Not far from many gardeners thoughts, are saving water. For those on town water, the water bill may seem pretty high but if you’re relying on tank water, then water may need to be conserved ever so carefully. 

In this next segment, Steve and I go through some water saving tactics, some old some new. I'm talking with Steve Falcioni from www.ecoogranicgarden.com.au Let’s find out . There are plenty of water saving tips that you could try if you're not doing that alrady.

Wash your vegetables in a tub of water

Run-off the cold water for your shower into a bucket or watering can

Direct the water from your washing machine onto the garden.

Grey water is not regarded as sterile. You should not be storing grey water.

Not safe for edible plants.

How Wetting Agents Work?

Soils that have been dry for a long period or are low in organic matter may become water repellant.

When you water, it tends to run off or pool on the surface.

Why? soil particles develop waxy coating.

Wetting agents contain molecules that adhere to waxy particles and water at the same time.

When applied to the soil, the molecule grabs onto the soil particle that's coated in wax, so that when you water,  the water gets grabbed by the wetting agent so the water penetrates the soil.

 

If you have any questions of course, why not email [email protected] or write in to 2RRR P.O. Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Scientific name:Hoya species. 

Common name:Wax flower

Family: Apocynaceae

 

There are some plants that quietly go about their business without too much fuss making them a little unnoticed in your garden.

I have these two hoyas in the garden, which flower without fail, fuss or drama. 

Then they flower, and you wonder at how marvelous the flower is and most likely think about how little you did anything for that plant to make it flower so well. 

So why is it that they're not stars in the garden?

Hoya carnosa

 Let’s find out more. 

I'm talking with Karen Smith editor of Hort Journal, www.hortjournal.com.au and President of the Interior Plantscape Association. You could best describe hoyas as evergreen perennial twining creepers or vines. 

They mostly possess adventitious roots, which simply means roots that grow aerially from their twining stems.

They have simple entire fleshy leaves in opposite pairs.

The leaf shape varies considerably, with one species having heart shaped leaves: Hoya kerrii.

being in the Apocynaceae family, their stems often exude a sticky substance.

In their natural habitat, they often grow epiphytically on trees; some grow terrestrially, or occasionally in rocky areas.

Most hoya don’t mind being a little rootbound, as they are used to growing epiphytically, so I don’t often repot my hoya.

Hoyas are marvellous plants, and believe it or not, there are hoya societies with avid collectors 

around Australia. Bring them indoors or grow them outside, either under cover, under the shade of a tree, or if you’re in cold climate, in a green house.

Hoya pubicalyx

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Scientific name:Hoya species. 

Common name:Wax flower

Family: Apocynaceae

 

There are some plants that quietly go about their business without too much fuss making them a little unnoticed in your garden.

I have these two hoyas in the garden, which flower without fail, fuss or drama. 

Then they flower, and you wonder at how marvelous the flower is and most likely think about how little you did anything for that plant to make it flower so well. 

So why is it that they're not stars in the garden?

Hoya carnosa

 Let’s find out more. 

I'm talking with Karen Smith editor of Hort Journal, www.hortjournal.com.au and President of the Interior Plantscape Association. You could best describe hoyas as evergreen perennial twining creepers or vines. 

They mostly possess adventitious roots, which simply means roots that grow aerially from their twining stems.

They have simple entire fleshy leaves in opposite pairs.

The leaf shape varies considerably, with one species having heart shaped leaves: Hoya kerrii.

being in the Apocynaceae family, their stems often exude a sticky substance.

In their natural habitat, they often grow epiphytically on trees; some grow terrestrially, or occasionally in rocky areas.

Most hoya don’t mind being a little rootbound, as they are used to growing epiphytically, so I don’t often repot my hoya.

Hoyas are marvellous plants, and believe it or not, there are hoya societies with avid collectors 

around Australia. Bring them indoors or grow them outside, either under cover, under the shade of a tree, or if you’re in cold climate, in a green house.

Hoya pubicalyx

SPICE IT UP

Huacatay: Stinking Roger

Unless you’re a herb and spice expert, there’s bound to be a few spices that you’ve never heard of. Perhaps Mace isn’t so well known, or asafetida, ajowan, nigella and salem or cubeb peppers. But then a herb comes along that even stumps the guru that comes on the program, and it even turns out to be a weed.

Huacatay

So what can it be? Let’s find out . I'm talking with Ian Hemphill from www.herbies.com.au Huacatay leaves are a little bit like cilantro or coriander.

The flavour profile is supposed to have notes of basil, spearmint, citrus with notes of tarragon, Also used a lot in South American food going with pork and duck very well. A traditional dish made with potato and goat, called "Ocapa."

Good companion plant for other plants as its reputed to control nematodes.

Huacatay is not available for sale as a herb, but is one you would need to find as 'wild harvest.'If you have stinking roger growing in your garden, then perhaps the dried leaf could be used in cooking, but I wouldn’t recommend harvesting anything along the roadside because it may have been sprayed with an insecticide.

Not only that, all the fallout from hundreds of cars passing the weed, shall we say, won’t be a good thing to want to eat no matter how many times you washed it. 

Ian says that he imagines that from 1 kilogram of fresh leaf you would get about 100grams of dried leaf.If you have any questions of course, why not email [email protected] or write in to 2RRR P.O. Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

SPICE IT UP

Huacatay: Stinking Roger

Unless you’re a herb and spice expert, there’s bound to be a few spices that you’ve never heard of. Perhaps Mace isn’t so well known, or asafetida, ajowan, nigella and salem or cubeb peppers. But then a herb comes along that even stumps the guru that comes on the program, and it even turns out to be a weed.

Huacatay

So what can it be? Let’s find out . I'm talking with Ian Hemphill from www.herbies.com.au Huacatay leaves are a little bit like cilantro or coriander.

The flavour profile is supposed to have notes of basil, spearmint, citrus with notes of tarragon, Also used a lot in South American food going with pork and duck very well. A traditional dish made with potato and goat, called "Ocapa."

Good companion plant for other plants as its reputed to control nematodes.

Huacatay is not available for sale as a herb, but is one you would need to find as 'wild harvest.'If you have stinking roger growing in your garden, then perhaps the dried leaf could be used in cooking, but I wouldn’t recommend harvesting anything along the roadside because it may have been sprayed with an insecticide.

Not only that, all the fallout from hundreds of cars passing the weed, shall we say, won’t be a good thing to want to eat no matter how many times you washed it. 

Ian says that he imagines that from 1 kilogram of fresh leaf you would get about 100grams of dried leaf.If you have any questions of course, why not email [email protected] or write in to 2RRR P.O. Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

PLANT DOCTOR

Plants for Privacy in a Container

What do you do if you want a plant for privacy but there’s either not enough soil in that location or you’re in an apartment? I’ve talked about big trees in pots with horticulturist, Adrian O’Malley from Plant of the Week, before, but it doesn’t have to be just about trees for privacy. So what can it be? Let’s find out . 

I'm talking with Steve Falcioni from www.ecoorganicgarden.com.au PLAY: Plants for Privacy in pots_15th April 2020 Choose as large a pot/container as you can accommodate in the spot where you want to achieve some privacy.

For my Magnolia 'Little Gem,' I have a 60cm terracotta round pot.

The disadvantage with round terracotta or ceramic pots, is that they can be bowled over in strong winds.

Mine has a large crack down one side having been blown to the ground numerous times during strong winds.

Magnolia Little Gem surround by orchids. Cracked terracotta pot after being knocked over in strong winds.

There is of course the problem of replacing the soil which over a few years, will slump.

Rejuvenating Your Large Potted Plant

TIP: employ help to push the container gently to the side then ease out the tree or large shrub.

Use this opportunity to give the plant a root prune, about 10% all over.

Replace any loose soil with good quality potting mix and only a couple of handfuls of compost, whether homemade or store bought.

If you really want a sure fire winner, then choose Murraya paniculata or commonly called Murraya, for your screening option. Yes, I know it’s pretty common, but that’s a good choice if you’re prone to forgetting to prune it. A lesser known and somewhat handsome plant that Steve mentioned is Radermachera “Summer Scent.” Originating from Southern China, Summerscent has lush, glossy, compact foliage. Best of all this plant has clusters of white to pale pink scented flowers that flower profusely throughout the warmer months. A perfect plant for hedging or screens as it responds well to pruning and adds a tropical feel to the garden. Summerscent grows well in full sun and shade as well as indoors if kept in a well lit position. If you have any questions of course, why not email [email protected] or write in to 2RRR P.O. Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

PLANT DOCTOR

Plants for Privacy in a Container

What do you do if you want a plant for privacy but there’s either not enough soil in that location or you’re in an apartment? I’ve talked about big trees in pots with horticulturist, Adrian O’Malley from Plant of the Week, before, but it doesn’t have to be just about trees for privacy. So what can it be? Let’s find out . 

I'm talking with Steve Falcioni from www.ecoorganicgarden.com.au PLAY: Plants for Privacy in pots_15th April 2020 Choose as large a pot/container as you can accommodate in the spot where you want to achieve some privacy.

For my Magnolia 'Little Gem,' I have a 60cm terracotta round pot.

The disadvantage with round terracotta or ceramic pots, is that they can be bowled over in strong winds.

Mine has a large crack down one side having been blown to the ground numerous times during strong winds.

Magnolia Little Gem surround by orchids. Cracked terracotta pot after being knocked over in strong winds.

There is of course the problem of replacing the soil which over a few years, will slump.

Rejuvenating Your Large Potted Plant

TIP: employ help to push the container gently to the side then ease out the tree or large shrub.

Use this opportunity to give the plant a root prune, about 10% all over.

Replace any loose soil with good quality potting mix and only a couple of handfuls of compost, whether homemade or store bought.

If you really want a sure fire winner, then choose Murraya paniculata or commonly called Murraya, for your screening option. Yes, I know it’s pretty common, but that’s a good choice if you’re prone to forgetting to prune it. A lesser known and somewhat handsome plant that Steve mentioned is Radermachera “Summer Scent.” Originating from Southern China, Summerscent has lush, glossy, compact foliage. Best of all this plant has clusters of white to pale pink scented flowers that flower profusely throughout the warmer months. A perfect plant for hedging or screens as it responds well to pruning and adds a tropical feel to the garden. Summerscent grows well in full sun and shade as well as indoors if kept in a well lit position. If you have any questions of course, why not email [email protected] or write in to 2RRR P.O. Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

DESIGN ELEMENTS 

Assessing Trees for Failure ( following on from blog on "Why Trees Fail"

 https://realworldgardener.blogspot.com/2020/04/why-trees-fail-and-celery.htmlTrees are so beneficial in a garden that I can’t imagine having a garden without them. For me they provide, an element of height, but often the ones I choose have flowers with sumptuous scent, and in summer, they provide much needed shade.

Arbutus unedo: Strawberry Tree photo: M Cannon

But how to prevent them from failing is the question in this week’s segment. Let’s find out . I'm talking with Glenice Buck, consulting arborist and landscape designer  

www.glenicebuckdesigns.com.au PLAY: Assessing Why Trees Fall_1st April 2020 Trees fall from time to time and believe it or not, sometimes it’s not predictable, and sometimes it is. Glenice says "it's totally impossible to predict if and when a tree will fail"

 BUT you can seek professional advice from a consulting arborist to relieve any worry that you have about that particular tree. 

Champion tree in Stowe, England.

The consulting arborist can make recommendation as to how to mitigate and potential problems.

Remember, a tree expert will cut out limbs correctly if they need cutting so the tree will be less likely to get insect attack or decay forming. Consideration is given to remaining trees, if one needs to be taken out because it exposes them to more natural elements such as wind and changes in hydrology of the soil.

Trees will overtime adapt if they lose a surrounding buffer.

A qualified arborist will use methods as outlined by QTRA and TRAQ are methods of tree risk assessment.

QTRA-Quantitive Tree Risk Assessment

TRAQ-Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.

From the www.treenet.org site

"The terms ‘hazard’ and ‘risk are not interchangeable.... A tree-failure hazard is present when a tree has potential to cause harm to people or property.  ‘Risk’ is the probability of something adverse happening; the likelihood that the hazard will cause harm.

Assessment of tree-failure hazards requires consideration of the mechanical integrity of the tree and the likelihood that the tree or part of it will fail within a given period."

If you have any questions of course, why not email [email protected] or write in to 2RRR P.O. Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

DESIGN ELEMENTS 

Assessing Trees for Failure ( following on from blog on "Why Trees Fail"

 https://realworldgardener.blogspot.com/2020/04/why-trees-fail-and-celery.htmlTrees are so beneficial in a garden that I can’t imagine having a garden without them. For me they provide, an element of height, but often the ones I choose have flowers with sumptuous scent, and in summer, they provide much needed shade.

Arbutus unedo: Strawberry Tree photo: M Cannon

But how to prevent them from failing is the question in this week’s segment. Let’s find out . I'm talking with Glenice Buck, consulting arborist and landscape designer  

www.glenicebuckdesigns.com.au PLAY: Assessing Why Trees Fall_1st April 2020 Trees fall from time to time and believe it or not, sometimes it’s not predictable, and sometimes it is. Glenice says "it's totally impossible to predict if and when a tree will fail"

 BUT you can seek professional advice from a consulting arborist to relieve any worry that you have about that particular tree. 

Champion tree in Stowe, England.

The consulting arborist can make recommendation as to how to mitigate and potential problems.

Remember, a tree expert will cut out limbs correctly if they need cutting so the tree will be less likely to get insect attack or decay forming. Consideration is given to remaining trees, if one needs to be taken out because it exposes them to more natural elements such as wind and changes in hydrology of the soil.

Trees will overtime adapt if they lose a surrounding buffer.

A qualified arborist will use methods as outlined by QTRA and TRAQ are methods of tree risk assessment.

QTRA-Quantitive Tree Risk Assessment

TRAQ-Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.

From the www.treenet.org site

"The terms ‘hazard’ and ‘risk are not interchangeable.... A tree-failure hazard is present when a tree has potential to cause harm to people or property.  ‘Risk’ is the probability of something adverse happening; the likelihood that the hazard will cause harm.

Assessment of tree-failure hazards requires consideration of the mechanical integrity of the tree and the likelihood that the tree or part of it will fail within a given period."

If you have any questions of course, why not email [email protected] or write in to 2RRR P.O. Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.