Real World Gardener-Horticulture, Gardening, Learning to Grow

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Parachidendron pruinosum: Snow Wood Tree.

There are some plants, be it trees, shrubs, perennials or annuals, which don’t make it into the mainstream of plant shops, not even online.

Whether it’s because people aren’t aware of its existence or because it’s hard to propagate in large number, the fact remains, it’s just not out there.

But there are plenty of good reasons why you should grow a Snow Wood.

Snow Wood fruits after opening.

Let’s find out I'm talking with new contributor, to "plant of the week" segment,  Adrian O’Malley, horticulturist and native plant expert.

The fragrant flowers are pom-pom like heads, greenish-white or golden yellow and darkening with age.

Flowering time is October to January. The fruit pod matures from February to June .

Fruit pods are very attractive, twisting when they split open to reveal black shiny large seeds and look a bit like acacia fruit pods. 

Seeds are black, shiny and mostly flat, oval in shape. 

Germination tip:Scarification of the seeds helps germination, which is slow but fairly reliable.

Seen in RBG Sydney near the Moor building. Pararchidendron pruinosum is an Australian rainforest tree naturally occuring from the Shoalhaven River in New South Wales to Herberton in north Queensland. 

Also found in New Guinea and Indonesia.

If you have any questions for me or for Adrian or would like some seeds of this tree, please write in to [email protected]

Mulches,Mulches, Mulches

Here we are again, talking about mulches when you probably want to hear about something more interesting right? There’s a reason why gardeners keep talking about mulches, and that is, it’s an important part of gardening whether we like it r not.

And, there’s a right way and a wrong way to spread the mulch.

I'm talking with Steve Falcioni from www.ecoorganicgarden.com.au.

Mulches are important, especially in areas that are drought affected or are experiencing water restrictions.

The mulch locks in soil moisture and keeps soil cool in warm weather.

Applying mulch can be a bit of a chore, but it's worth it in the long run.

The reverse is true in cold weather, where the mulch acts a sort of blanket and helps retain heat in the soil layer.

Mulch also acts as a barrier to weed seeds and helps with wind erosion.

Over the years the advice as to how much mulch to apply has changed.

Fine mulch shouldn’t be more than 1cm thick, but chunky mulches, can be around 5cm thick.

Remember of course, that organic mulches bring microbial life to your soil, whereas the inorganic, mostly chunky mulches are just a layer of protection.

TIP: Leave some space around the trunk of trees, as it may encourage fungal growth or collar rot if right up against the main trunk.

If you have any questions either for me or for Steve, you can email us [email protected] or write in to 2rrr, PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.

Wattles:Acacia species.

Family: Mimosaceae, 1, 000 species out of 1350 worldwide originate originate in Australia.

Australia's Acacias have a huge range of flower and leaf shape. Some have fern like foliage, others have leaves like they should belong on a gum tree. 

Flower colour is mainly yellow, followed by cream, but one outstanding cultivar has red flowers.

Acacia leprosa "Scarlet Blaze." 

Most of the species flower during the end of winter or the beginning of spring. The most common Acacia, the Golden Wattle (Arcacias pycnantha) is found in the South Eastern parts of Australia, and the hotter and drier climates.

Acacia pycnantha or Golden Wattle tree, is a shrub of about 4-8 metres. 

Vase life:4-6 days.

I'm talking with Floral therapist Mercedes Sarmini of www.floralgossip.com.au

When a community garden sets up in your district are you excited or non-plussed?

What things do they get up to anyway? 

I'm talking with Nicole Miranda from the Happy Hens Community garden in Henley.

If you are interested in joining the community garden at Henley you need to first register your interest by filling in a form from their website www.happyhens.org.au

 Feel free to tend to the Henley Green Community Garden at any time.

We meet every Friday from 10am - 12 noon Monday from 9 - 11am and Sunday 3 to 5pm

at Henley Green Community Garden

If you have any questions for me or for Nicole, please write in to [email protected]

Household Uses of Beeswax

Honey isn’t just the only thing that beekeepers produce.

Beeswax is a by product of honey making.

Did you know that beeswax is an important ingredient in moustache wax and hair pomades that make hair look sleek and shiny?

Well, we’re not going into that so how else can we use beeswax around the home other than for making beeswax candles?

Beeswax food wrap

I'm talking with Markaret Mossakowska of www.mosshouse.com.au

Did you know that you can also coat things with beeswax, like hand tools, cast iron pieces and shovels to prevent them from rusting out.

You can even rub beeswax on the wooden handle of your shovel to help protect against wear and tear. 

NSW amateur beekeepers associations https://www.beekeepers.asn.au/

The ABA currently has 20 clubs/branches around NSW.

There are also a number of areas where new clubs are being started.

If you need any help finding a club near you, please contact the ABA Secretary.

For listeners outside NSW there’s also a national body, http://www.honeybee.com.au/beeinfo/assn.html

If you have any questions either for me or for Margaret you can email us [email protected] or write in to 2rrr, PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675.