Pruning old fruit trees

Mum recently had her 40 year old Nectarine tree cut back to the stump.  My Nana grew this particular tree from a seed and contrary to popular opinion it grew into a great tree with an abundance of fruit.  But, recent storms had decimated it and there were broken branches hanging everywhere.


My mother likes everything neat in her garden so decided to have it cut back severely, as you can see.


















 I like to seal the ends of large trees after pruning, by applying tree pruning paint.   A tip I learnt from my father.

He explained to a very young gardener that in harsh dry weather conditions using a pruning sealer will help the tree retain more moisture which helps recovery.  This is particular relevant for older trees like Mum's Nectarine.

Dad use to use bits of left over paint, but times change and now we have special pruning paint which can be found at your local garden supplier.

Happy gardening


Bronwyn

Grafting, get snipping

I'm visiting my mother at the moment and one of the first plants I notice was her Double Delight rose, which had reverted back to the original root stock.

I have written about grafting and the importance of keeping the root stock regrowth below the graft under control before, but thought it was a good opportunity to reinforce it.

Double Delight rose lives up to it's name, as it has the most delightful perfume and creamy red blooms.

As you can see my Double Delight is thriving whereas Mum's is a tiny little red flower with no perfume.  All because she didn't cut all the shoots below the graft off, which resulted in it returning to the original rose used as the strong root stock.

So be vigilant and snip off these shoots and fertilise.  My favourite fertiliser is Sudden Impact for Roses with a little sulphur thrown in for good measure. 

Two simple tips but if adhered to will result in amazing roses.















Happy gardening


Bronwyn

Arthritis and Pennywort

Pennywort is a bright and breezy little creeping herb and the best thing about it is it helps with arthritis.

The leaves contain an active ingredient (called Madecassoside) which is an anti inflammatory compound. Eating 2 fresh leaves a day should provide temporary relief, although it may take up to 3 months to gain the full benefits.  












Pennywort requires constantly moist conditions and will thrive in shady positions. As it is a prostrate perennial, it may need containing because of its tendency to spread, which it does in my garden. 

We have it in a shady position down our side mixed in with the hydrangeas.  As this garden is small it is easy to give it a good cut back every 6 months to keep it under control.





I love it!  How easy is it to take, just pick the leaves when strolling around the garden, but stick to only 2 a day.

Check it out on the Internet for more information


Happy gardening


Bronwyn

Kaffer Limes, are they a fruit, a herb or both!

Well, Kaffir lime trees hold the distinction of being both a fruit and a herb. The leaves from the tree are used as flavouring for a variety of recipes, particularly Asian dishes, as is the rind.  

 

The leaf shape is also unusual being in 2 parts almost like a figure 8.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They can be grown in a container but choose one with plenty of space for the root ball, with room for growth.  Whether growing in a container or straight into the ground Kaffer Limes need free draining soil.
 

Watering well is important, but if the soil is too moist, you run the risk of root rot. Allow the soil to dry out a bit between watering times. You can test the moisture of the soil simply by sticking your finger into the soil and if it feels dry, then it's time to water.

 

             

These trees are very sensitive to cold so you must protect them from frost, by placing up against a wall or protected area of the garden that has good sun exposure in the winter.  Kaffer limes need plenty of sun regardless of the season.           

 

Fertilize your lime tree using a fertilizer specifically for citrus trees, and only fertilize in the spring and during the growing season, not in winter.


The Kaffer lime is only grown for the leaves and rind, so if you want juicy limes pick another variety.


I am very fortunate to have a sister-in-law and best friend who both have this wonderful lime growing in their gardens.  When visiting I always pick handfuls of leaves and pop them in the freezer, they last for ages and are ready when needed.


Happy gardening

Bronwyn

 

 

Gaura is like butterflies in the garden

Often called the Whirling white butterfly bush, Gauras come in a variety of white, white with pink tinge and darker pink  flowers.  The flowers are on long stems and gently sway in the breeze creating colour and movement in the spring and summer garden.

White gaura is an informal, yet graceful, ornamental with a loose, bushy habit growing to a height of  3-4 ft or 80cm they look sensational in perennial borders or beds. The pink varieties tend to be more clumping and not so tall.   It is a plant that keeps giving as it self sows its seed, a bargain for any gardener.












Gaura is a pretty, water-wise plant, that loves sun, good drainage and a jolly good cutting back as the long wands of butterfly flowers finish.  Pruning back in mid summer will extend the flowering season as they flower again after about six weeks from pruning.

I started with only 2 small bushes and now have a wonderful boarder that is continuing to  extend every year creating a real splash in our summer garden.



Happy gardening


Bronwyn

How to get the best out of cut flowers

There is nothing like picking or receiving beautiful fresh flowers!  They don't need a lot of care but by following a few simple tips will allow you to enjoy your flowers for as long as possible.

1. Always use a clean vase
2. Remove all the foliage that will be below the water line
3. Snip off about an 1" or 2cm from the bottom of the stems, cut at a right angle
4. Bought flowers always come with Flower food, but if you don't have any use a teaspoon of sugar and a cap of bleach per litre of water
5. Place the flowers away from direct sunlight, heating from air con, and any draughts.
6. Ripe fruit will also shorten your flowers life so keep them apart
7. Change the water every 3 days and run the stems under cold water and again snip off the ends.

Happy gardening

Bronwyn

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow or Brunfelsia pauciflora can be deadly

I don't think you will find to many plants that rival this Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow for fragrance and floral display, but it has a deadly secret.  The seeds are poisonous as is the rest of the plant, so if you have children or pets don't let them any where near them.


My friend Julie has just recently learnt the dangers of this plant and keeps Bundy her Labrador and his brother and sister  well away from them.

 

 If you do however want to grow this plant it will need gentle heat, a slightly acidic soil and average watering.  It will grow in hotter areas provided it has some shade protection.  Yesterday Today and Tomorrow  is an evergreen and will grow between 4 - 7' tall, though can be pruned  if you want to keep it smaller and also grows very well  pots.

Deadly but beautiful, just go to show you need to know what plants you are putting in your garden.

 

 

Happy gardening

 

 

Bronwyn