Real World Gardener-Horticulture, Gardening, Learning to Grow

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Dianthus x plumaris "Regency."Dianthus Regency.A plant with low mounding grey leaves doesn’t sound too crash hot or enticing but what about perfumed flowers?

The flowerways come in singles, doubles, frilly, semi-doubles and flecked with colours mainly in the pink to red colourways and you can eat them as well.

Let’s find out what this group of plants is.

I'm talking with the plant panel :Karen Smith, editor of Hort Journal www.hortjournal.com.au  and Jeremy Critchley, The Green Gallery wholesale nursery owner. www.thegreengallery.com.au

Dianthus or Clove Pinks have been around since the 14th Century.

Flowers may be single, double, or semi-double and may be all one colour, flecked, picoteed, or laced. 

The leaves of all Dianthus members are linear to lance-shaped and are often blue-gray or gray-green with a waxy bloom. 

All Dianthus like full sun and average, well-drained, unmulched soil, because their crowns tend to rot beneath it.Dianthus Mojo

Propagate most perennials by cuttings, division, or layering.

Dianthus don't mind a bit of humus in the top soil layer, but don't like wet feet.

Clove pinks prefer a neutral to alkaline soil.

Dianthus or Pinks have fine root hairs that prefer to be in terracotta pots if not in the garden and because they’re quite small you can stuff in quite a few different colours and flower shapes in the many nooks and crannies in your garden.

If you have any questions about growing Dianthus regency, why not write in to [email protected]

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Acid Soil pH and Acid Loving Plants

By now you know what your soil pH is and want to know what to grow in it without having to change it.

There’s quite a lot of plants that prefer either alkaline or acid soil, so today’s episode is concentrating on the acid loving plants.

 Wisterias are acid loving plants. photo M Cannon

These plants are poor at obtaining iron – Iron is more widely available in an acid soil. The reason why these plants love acid soils is because they can obtain this iron under these conditions In an alkaline soil there will be an iron deficiency this can be identified by a yellowing of the leaves on the plant.  

Quite a few gardeners would know about quite a few plants that are acid loving plants, like Azaleas, Camellias and Rhododendrons.

What about any others? Let’s find out. I'm talking with Glenice Buck, Consulting Arborist and Landscape Designer.

What if you want to grow some of these acid loving plants in more alkaline soil ?

A short term fix is by giving them more iron

Iron can be supplemented in the form of cheated iron, bought as a yellow powder.

Place a large spoonful into a watering can and water over the leaves and into the soil.

This type of iron as it soluble will be absorbed readily by the plant, however it is only a temporary solution and long-term remediation of the soil may be necessary.

Some acid loving plants are:Rhododendrons are acid loving plants. Photo M CannonConiferous shrubs and trees, Abelia ,citrus, azaleas and rhododendrons Ph4.5 -5.5

Magnolia, hydrangea,gardenias ,camellias, crepe myrtle, holly shrubs, calla lilies, wisteria, strawberries, ajuga and willows.

If you have any questions about measuring soil pH drop us a line to [email protected]

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

THE GOOD EARTH

Small or Dwarf Fruit Trees

Normally fruit trees grow to 8 - 10 metres in height, such as Avocado or Mango.

What do you do if you want to plant fruit trees in your garden but want ones that aren’t that big.

There’s usually dwarf varieties of the particular type that you want but how dwarf is dwarf really?

Is there another way to grow fruit trees without going dwarf?Fruit trees can be espaliered photo M CannonHave you ever heard of fruit tree hedges?

Let’s find out what it is now. I'm talking with sustainability consultant and permaculture guru, Margaret Mossakowska of Moss House www.mosshouse.com.au

You can plant your fruit trees closer together and prune them from a young age to have an open canopy so that they don't get diseases.

Trees that are too dense inside the canopy are prone to scale and fungal problems.Meyer Lemon tree comes in a dwarf form.

The concept of a dwarf fruit tree is really fruit trees that are naturally occurring as a small tree but they still grow to 4 metres.

Unless of course they're grafted onto dwarfing stock.

Multi-grafted trees are a great way to get multiple fruit trees in one planting hole but you have to be on top of the pruning of each variety very early on or the strongest one will take over and the others will die.

The other alternative is to plant two of something into the one planting hole or if you have the time and inclination, espalier your fruit trees.

If you have any questions about growing fruit trees or have some information to share, drop us a line to [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Growing plants on Alkaline Soil; which plants love this type of soil?

By now you know what your soil pH is and want to know what to grow in it without having to change it.

There’s quite a lot of plants that prefer either alkaline or acid soil, so today’s episode is concentrating on the alkaline pH.

I'm talking with Glenice Buck, Consulting Arborist and Landscape Designer.Beared Iris are alkaline soil loving photo M CannonListen to the podcast to find out which plants prefer alkaline soils in this segment about soil pH.

Soils in arid climates and also on coral tropical islands tend to be alkaline, with a pH factor of 7.0 or higher.

Also those parts of Australia that are based on Limestone parent material such as the Limestone Coast, will have alkaline soils.

This is caused by the high percentage of lime (calcium carbonate) in soil of these regions. 

That Hydrangea Question:Pink Hydranges photo M Cannon 

Pink Hydrangeas means you have alkaline soils.

Some of the plants that were mentioned as preferring alkaline soil:

Evergreen shrubs (e.g.Buxus , Ceanothus - California lilacs, Aucuba, Bottle brush (Callistemon Harkness), Coastal Tea Tree (Leptospermum laevigatum), myoprum, plumbago, acacia, agonis and banksia)

Deciduous shrubs (e.g., lilacs, mock oranges, Forsythia species, tamarix)

Perennials (e.g.Acanthus, dianthus, Heuchera hellebores,Helichrysum, Plectranthus, Bearded Iris,

Trees – eg Hibisicus syriacus, Quercus robur, Crabapple, Poinciana trees, Arbutus unedo -  Irish Strawberry tree

Many succulents.

Just a reminder that soil pH is important because it influences how easily plants can take up nutrients from the soil.  

If you’re soil’s too acidic or too alkaline, it will take quite a few months to change the pH, but that doesn’t mean you should give up now.

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

WILDLIFE IN FOCUS

Black Faced Cuckoo Shrike Coracina novaehollandiae

It’s funny that some birds live in our urban areas but we don’t know that they’re there.

Mainly because they’re not aggressive, a bit on the quiet side and don’t pick up leftovers from the barbecue.

But there they are all the same, living quietly amongst us.

I'm talking with Dr Holly Parsons, Manager of Birds in Backyards. www.birdsinbackyards.net

That was Dr Holly Parsons, Manager of Birds in Backyards. www.birdsinbackyards.netBlack Faced Cuckoo Shrike photo Birds in Backyards

So Cuckoo-shrikes are neither cuckoos nor shrikes, but are called that because their feathers have similar patterns to those of cuckoos and their beak shape resembles that of shrikes?

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes have a black face and throat, blue-grey back, wings and tail, and white underparts.

These Shufflewings or Black Faced Cuckoo Shrieks forage in trees, and sometimes over open paddocks, for caterpillars, other insects, and occasionally fruit.

They fly from tree to tree, often landing on a prominent perch  which gives them a vantage pointfrom where they can pounce on their prey.

The Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike is found many suburbs, where these birds are often seen perched on overhead wires or television aerials.

If you have any questions about the Black Faced cuckoo shrike or any other bird or have some information to share, drop us a line to [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community RadioNetwork. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOKThe complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

PLANT OF THE WEEK

DWARF CONIFERS :QUIRKY OR NOT?

What makes a conifer?

A tree which bears cones and needle-like or scale-like leaves the majority of which are evergreen.

Long before flowering plants ruled the plant there were these guys, standing tall and covering most parts of the land mass.

Some of those ancient trees that have survived today grow really, really tall, but we’re not talking tall at all today.Mt Tomah Botanic Garden photo M Cannon

Let’s find out what this group of plants is.

I'm talking with  the plant panel : Karen Smith, editor of Hort Journal www.hortjournal.com.au  and Jeremy Critchley, The Green Gallery wholesale nursery owner. www.thegreengallery.com.au

Conifers come in all shapes, colours and sizes.

Did you know that conifers from hotter areas with high sunlight levels (e.g. Turkish Pine Pinus brutia) often have yellower-green leaves, while others (e.g. Blue Spruce Picea pungens) have a very strong glaucous wax bloom to reflect ultraviolet light.

Some of the varieties mentioned were:Thuja orientalis "Aurea nana"Thuja orientalis 'Aurea Nana'  "Golden Biota or Bookleaf

" A very popular conifer, forming a neat globular shape with a smooth outline. In summer the plant is bright gold, greener in winter. Very hardy, excellent in pots. Supposed to grow to only 1 metre but when in the ground, has expanded to be over 2 metres by 3 metres wide.

Juniperus communis 'Depressed Star'

A low spreading shrub growing to approx 1metre wide by 30cm high. The foliage is a fresh green colour in summer, coppery green in winter.

 

 

Cedrus deodara 'Feelin Blue' 

A low spreading Cedar with beautiful blue foliage. In 10 years a spread of more than 1metre should be achieved.

Often grafted as a standard.

 

Picea glauca 'Elf' 

A very slow grower, forming a beautiful round ball. Covered in soft, light green, fluffy foliage in spring; darker green for the rest of the year. In 10 years, it may reach 30cm x 30cm.

Don’t be put off by the few specimens that you’ve seen in gardens or are available in garden centres because they’re only a small percentage of what’s available.

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

SOIL SAVVYTree rot photo M CannonHave you noticed some plants in your garden that look like they’re wilting even though you’re watering them?

Then the whole thing dies and you plant another one in the same spot.

Guess what the same thing happens.

Something’s going on with your soil surely?

Let’s find out what it is now.

I'm talking with Penny Smith, a horticultural scientist who specializes in soil science.

Your soil needs lots of animals or mini beasts and micro-organisms to be healthy.

Commercial compost although sterilised, does have some of these things because it's compost after all and does break down.Tree health reflects what is below ground. photo M CannonRoot disease can occur when you've disturbed the roots.

Dieback here are there on the plant is one of the symptoms as is wilting and not recovering after watering.

The plant above the soil reflects what happens below the soil, so that if there's damage to certain roots from either disease or cultivation, then that will show up above the soil.

This might mean death of some branches.

Fungal diseases that grow in your soil are only growing bigger every time you water that wilting plant.

Before you replace it with another, take out soil from that failed location and put in a heap of compost.

Hopefully the micro organisms will overtake that fungus and so killing off that fungal infection and let your plant survive.

If you have any questions about disease in your soil or have some information to share, drop us a line to [email protected] or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition.

PLANT OF THE WEEK

CAMELLIA SPECIES: Which are your favourite?

There are many gardening books written and societies that you can join dedicated to the many flowerways of this next plant. Camellia reticulata Red Crystal photo M Cannon

 Camellia Grape Soda 

Flowerways is my invention for the many flower type variations and colours that you can choose from.

There are even plant nurseries dedicated to growing this one genus with an endless selection that you can buy.

Surely there’s something that you could find to love for your garden.

Let’s find out what it is. I'm talking with the plant panel who were Karen Smith, editor of Hort Journal www.hortjournal.com.au  and Jeremy Critchley, The Green Gallery wholesale nursery owner. www.thegreengallery.com.au Camellia Easter Morn

Camellias Australia www.camelliasaustralia.com.au say that the camellia growing areas are in a coastal band on most of the eastern coast of Australia and the southern coast (and Tasmania) with occasional penetration of the interior such as Canberra, the national capital, Albury and Narrandera, and some regions with higher altitude such as the Central Tablelands of NSW and Mount Tamborine in Queensland.

So pretty much everywhere.

If you have any questions about growing Camellias, why not write in to [email protected]

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition. DESIGN ELEMENTS

Now that you know what your soil pH is in most of your garden, or you’re going to find out soon, what’s the ideal pH for plants to grow in?

What can you do if you don’t have that ideal pH and how do you actually use that pH kit?

Let’s find out in this segment about soil pH. I'm talking with Glenice Buck, Consulting Arborist and Landscape Designer.Alkaline soil pH 

 Acid soil pHJust a reminder that soil pH is important because it influences how easily plants can take up nutrients from the soil.

 

 

 

If you’re soil’s too acidic or too alkaline, it will take quite a few months to change the pH, but that doesn’t mean you should give up now.

 

Measuring pH is easy even with the most basic kit.

All you need to do is dig up some soil samples from several parts of your garden, and spritz them with some water, but don't make the soil sample soggy. Next add a few drops of dye indicator fluid followed by a few shakes of the powder (Barium sulphate.)

Wait a couple of minutes and the powder should colour up.

You can then compare the colour of the powder with the soil pH chart.

REAL WORLD GARDENER Wed. 5pm 2RRR 88.5fm Sydney,

streaming live at www.2rrr.org.au  and Across Australia on the Community Radio

Network. www.realworldgardener.comREALWORLD GARDENER NOW ON FACEBOOK

The complete CRN edition of RWG is available on http://www.cpod.org.au/ , just click on 2RRR to find this week’s edition. PLANT OF THE WEEK

Leptospermum laevigatum Foreshore

 Leptospermum laevigatum Foreshore photo PMASome native plants can grow in next to nothing soil, on rocky outcrops, be battered by salt laden winds and receive almost no water, but still keep on growing.

These plants have developed tactics to keep surviving in such harsh conditions so when you transfer them to your garden, they’re practically low maintenance.

Let’s find out about this new low native shrubs.

I'm talking with the plant panel: Karen Smith, editor of Hort Journal www.hortjournal.com.au  and Jeremy Critchley, The Green Gallery wholesale nursery owner. www.thegreengallery.com.au

 2.5 year old tea tree hedge. photo PMA

Leptospermum laevigatum Foreshore, grows to only 50 cm in height and is of course a tea tree. A native alternative to box hedges and is perfect for low hedge planting because not only are the plants tough but you won’t have to keep pruning them every couple of weeks to keep them to size.

 

 

 Once established it is reasonably dry tolerant requiring only occasional deep watering during extended periods of heat.

Tea trees can be planted in most soil types that are well draining.Best grown in full sun but will tolerate part shade.