Real World Gardener-Horticulture, Gardening, Learning to Grow

Red Paw Paw Bisexual

Paw Paw and Papaya, are they the same fruit?

Papaya (Carica papaya), also called pawpaw in Australia, is an exotic, tropical fruit with a juicy, sweet flavour.

Papaya and pawpaw are the same species, however they look and taste different.

In Australia, the red-fleshed sweeter fruit is called papaya, while the yellow-fleshed fruit is called pawpaw.

Just to confuse everyone, from an Australian industry perspective however, the term papaya covers both fruit.

Let’s find out how to grow it.

I'm talking with Karen Smith, editor of www.hortjournal.com.au and Jeremy Critchley owner of www.thegreengallery.com.au

PLAY: Paw Paw Red_7th April 2018

The papaya is a small, sparsely branched tree, usually with a single stem growing from 5 to 10 m tall, with spirally arranged leaves confined to the top of the trunk.

Something to note:

• Papaya plants grow in three sexes: male, female, bisexual (hermaphrodite meaning they produce flowers which have both male and female functioning parts).

If you have any questions about red paw paw , either for me or for the plant panel or have some information to share, why not drop us a line to [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

Blubonnet: Northiella haematogaster

If I say this next segment is about parrots, do you go through a very short checklist?

This checklist might include, the Sulphur Crested, several Galahs, King Parrot, and Gang Gang Cockatoos.

Northiella haematogaster

You may even realise that Rosellasand Lorikeets are in the parrot category.

But what about this next parrot with a very different name?

Let’s find out about it

I'm talking wiht Dr Holly Parsons, Manager of www.birdsinbackyards.net

The parrots species have short, powerful bills that they use for cracking seeds, but some of them also feed on fruit, nectar, underground plant stems, and wood-boring insect larvae.

Blue bonnets have not only similar calls to other parrots but fly in a similar way as well.

From Graeme Chapman’s website comes this information “They have a particular liking for areas where sheoaks such as belah or bulloak (genus Allocasuarina) grow, mainly because these trees provide them with their preferred nesting sites.

Where available, they prefer a narrow split in the main trunk of a tree which opens out into a hollow that often continues down to (or even below!) ground level.

It is amazing just how narrow a split they can fit into and such sites are not uncommon in quite small trees such as Myall (an Acacia) out in desert regions.

These narrow nest entrances would provide good protection from the larger of the predatory goannas.”

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

Blueberry Ash: Elaeocarpus retiuculatus

Here’s a small tree with lily of the valley type flowers and olive like fruit.

The flowers are either pale pink or white, often referred to as “fairy pettioats.”

A very tough small tree that’s native to the east coast of Australia that is also bird attracting especially to all types of parrots.

Blueberry Ash: Pink form

Let’s find out more about it. 

I'm talking with Karen Smith, editor of www.hortjournal.com.au

PLAY: :Blueberry Ash_28th March 2018

Karen’s neighbour keeps her blueberry ash trimmed down to 4 metres or you could leave it a bit bigger and “limb up” as Peter Nixon would say so you have a lovely shade tree to sit under.

The only place it doesn’t suit is those areas with heavy frost. If you have any questions about blueberry ash , either for me or for Karen or have some information to share, why not drop us a line to [email protected]

Small Trees that are "useful and beautiful."

Have you got a small or large garden?

Chances are a lot of you are thinking, mmm, it’s pretty small but I used to have a large garden.

Either way, there’s always room for a small something, to fit into the design scheme that won't take up too much room, is out of the ordinary, and is "useful and beautiful."

Bauhinia hookerii or White Bauhinia

Today, we’re talking about something that’s either a very large shrub or a very small tree. 

Let’s find out what they are.

I'm talking with Peter Nixon Director of Paradisus Garden Design www.peternixon.com.au

PLAY: Useful & beautiful small trees_28th March 2018

Peter mentioned Hibiscus schizopetalus also known as Japanese Lantern which has the daintiest red flower.

Hibiscus schizopetalus: Japanese Lanter photo credit: M Cannon

The flower almost looks like a ballerina suspended by a fine thread and are terminal, meaning that they're at the ends of the branches.

White Bauhinia or Bauhina hookerii with white butterfly like flowers.

Brachychiton bidwillii which may be grafted but can be summer deciduous in areas such as Adelaide.

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

Useful and Beautiful Shrubs

We’re into the shrubbery but we’re not the Knights of Nee, for all those Monty Python fans listening out there.

So last week we outlined the sub-shrubs, in other words those plants that don’t grow too much over a metre, and most likely much less.

This week it’s shrubs that grow much bigger so won’t be at the front of the border.

These shrubs are larger but not more than 4 metres if that.

Rabbit Ears: Ruttya fruiticose photoM Van Der Schiff

Let’s find out what they are.

I'm talking with Peter Nixon, Garden Designer and  Director of www.peternixon.com.au

PLAY: Useful & Beautiful Bigger shrubs_21st March 2018

Peter mentioned these shrubs:

Rhinacanthus beesianthus –very luxurious looking, grows quite tall - around 2m or higher - and has large attractive quilted leaves which form a glossy background to other plants in a border.

Its clear white flowers, shaped like scalloped shells, begin to appear in March or April and continue for several months

Ruttya fruiticosa or Rabbit Ears, because the flower is dark red and looks just like a rabbit or from a distance a bit like Sturt Desert Peas.

Dichroa versicolour: photo M. Cannon

Iochroma fuschoides has an upright vase shape, with red trumpet flowers.

Dichroa versicolor - Evergreen Hydrangea is a nice alternative to the regular hydrangea with more like

If you have any questions about sub-shrubs , either for me or for Peter or have some information to share, why not drop us a line to [email protected]

Looking After Indoor Plants.

You may have heard that having indoor plants make for a healthy home.

The reason is that the plants and in fact mostly the soil that plants sit in, absorb the VOC’s or volatile organic compounds that all your furniture, flooring, household cleaners give off.

But those plants are made of plastic so will need attention. 

You may not have noticed that your indoor plant/s were in decline even though you've been walking past them everyday for most of the year.

Here are some pointers to get you started.

Let’s find out . 

I'm talking with Steve Falcioni, General Manager of www.ecoorganicgarden.com.au

PLAY: Indoor Plant Problems_21st March 2018

The first tip: Top up that potting mix.

After 2-3 years, potting mix becomes compacted and shrinks down several cms.

Plus old potting mix needs replacing after a while anyway because of this "slumping" and becoming acidic over the years.

The second tip: Check if the soil has become hydrophobic.

Scratch the surface after you've initially water to see if it has actually penetrated.

If not, apply a soil wetting agent.

The third tip: Now your pest or disease.

If you have any indoor plant problems is important to first diagnose what is exactly happening with the plant.

Is it just the soil, or is it something that needs spraying. 

Because your plants are indoors I would recommend using organic sprays

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.

Alstromeria

Named after Baron Claus von Alstrome, a Swedish baron who collected the seeds in the late 18th century on returning from a trip to South America.

You may know alstromeria as a gorgeous garden plant, but it makes a fantastic cut flower too, on its own or as part of a mix. There are at least 190 cultivars in just about any colour but blue. 

They flower nine months of the year so they are readily available. 

Reminded me of cats whiskers because of the markings on the inside of each flower.

They are poisonous to pets though, so bear that in mind. 

Alstromeria: Flickr photo

Mercedes Sarmini of Flowers by Mercedes tells you how to select your cut flower bunch and how to make them last.

I'm talking with florist, floral therapist, and floraholic, Mercedes Sarmini of www.flowersbymercedes.com.au

Useful and Beautiful sub-shrubs

What are sub-shrubs?

Sub-shrubs is a category that you may not have thought about but it’s certainly worth investing in some of these to fill out your garden.

Large shrubs could be considered to be at least over 3 metres in height, maybe up to 4 metres.

Sub shrubs are a category that is for those plants that are around 1 metre to 1 1/2 metres in height.

Garden designer Peter Nixon always finds the unusual that are a little bit harder to source but are worth the effort because they turn your garden from just nice to just beautiful.

Let’s find out what they are. I'm talking with Peter Nixon Director of www.peternixon.com.au

Kohleria eriantha

PLAY: Useful & Beautiful sub-shrubs_14 2018

Peter mentioned sub-shrubs like Plectranthus ecklonii, the spur flower reaches about 1.2m

Barleria cristata “Lavender Lace,” with a lavender and white striped flower.

Barleria micans grows to 40cm flowering in April-May.

Kohleria eriantha with a scarlet tubular flower.

Justicia carnea and J carnea alba and Justicia betonica: Called Brazilian Plume-

A very useful plant.

Lastly, Brazilian Snapdragon or Otocanthus caeruleas with deep blue flowers.

If you have any questions about sub-shrubs , either for me or for Peter or have some information to share, why not drop us a line to [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

Plants for Chickens

Have you hankered after keeping chickens or have some of your own already?

If you’ve thought about it for ages, it may be time to bite the bullet and get three.

Chickens are a flocking bird so three’s the minimum so that they feel safe.

But what else can you do to keep the chickens happy other than having a nice chicken coop and daily fresh water?

3 Bantams photo: M Cannon

Let’s find out . I'm talking with Margaret Mossakowska from www.mosshouse.com.au

Chickens self-medicate if they feel something is missing.

They will eat more of the food that will help them. 

Plant plenty of Rue, wormwood and Comfrey.

Ruta graveolens: Rue

Comfrey has plenty of Calcium which is good for chickens because that's what they need for shell forming.

If you have room to plant a deciduous fruit tree like a mulberry tree near your chicken coop, that would be ideal.

Other trees that are useful or Fig trees, Apple trees and Elderberry trees.

Comfrey

If you have a small back yard you still a tree because there are plenty of dwarf apple trees to choose from.

While the tree grows to a suitable size, you will have to put up some other sort of protection from the sun, and rain.

Of course if they’re free ranging during the day, they can shelter under other big trees or shrubs you have in the garden

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.

 Calliandra heamatocephala 

If someone told you that the flowers on a particular tree were like a powder puff, you wouldn’t be wrong in thinking that it was from a lily pilly.

Lily Pillies don’t hold the whole ball of wax on staminous flowers.

In fact if you think about it, gum trees have staminous flowers: that is, flowers that are made up of stamens but no petals.

Calliandra tweedii, Pom Pom bush

Today though, it’s another family that has this trait and it’s one to look out for.

Let’s find more.

I'm talking with Karen Smith of www.hortjournal.com.au

PLAY:

Calliandra tweedii is also known as the Mexican Flame bush because of its fiery red flowers. 

Calliandra tweedii: Mixican Flame Bush photo: Magnus Manske