Friday, April 18, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Tetrathecas
Any small Australian native plant will grow in a container. For example the yellow Guinea flower Hibbertia microphylla is absolutely outstanding and very long flowering in a container. Micromyrtus ciliata fringed heath myrtle is another good little Australian native and is also long flowering.
The eye catching and long flowering Tetrathecas could be used in conjunction with other bigger plants in a container, Evan says.
Earthy pots are good for Australian native plants. But if using coloured glazed pots, think carefully about flower colour and the relationship to the glaze colour.
The main thing about growing natives in pots is watering. It’s important to constantly keep them slightly moist, but never to overwater. Use a native potting mix, which is well draining and low in phosphorus, and give plants an annual feed. Use a slow release fertiliser, a couple of teaspoonfuls a year. Just sprinkle it over the pot surface after flowering. The end of spring is the best time to apply and this is usually enough for the whole year. Evan says the plants need tip pruning. Just use your fingers or a pair of sharp secateurs. And it’s also a good idea to choose plants that grow well together in the same locality, for example, put sun lovers together in the same pot.
It’s also possible to grow much larger succulents in containers. When potting up succulents break quite a lot of soil away because they grow with small root systems, so you can take it away without much damage
So I want to grow some herbs, strawberries and other plants in pots....
A Few Pot Tips
The bigger the pot, the better.
Group your pots together—it'll be easier to water them, but they'll also help keep each other cool or warm.
Mulch! Use coconut fibre (from the garden centre) or even pebbles to keep moisture in and stop the soil turning to concrete but...
When the soil DOES turn to concrete, replace the soil. Plants can't grow in concrete! And the water will slip down the sides, too, instead of wetting the soil so the roots can use it.
Use slow release plant foods, or even better, home-made compost.
Garlic chives These are TOUGH, and unlike common chives, don't die down in winter or shrivel in heat and drought. They're flatter and coarser than common chives, but great in stir fries, sandwiches and salads where you want an onion/garlic flavour. They grow well in pots around roses, fruit trees or other shrubs.
Strawberries These are great planted around the base of any shrub or tree. They'll spill out over the edges of the pot too.
Climbers Passionfruit, grapes, chokos and hops all grow excellently in pots if you give them somewhere to climb. A pot by a patio railing is perfect—the vine can clamber along the railing.
Potted roses Most roses will grow in big pots, and the new 'carpet' roses are great in hanging baskets too, with blooms for about nine months of the year, or even all year round in a sunny temperate spot. Do add water retaining crystals, though, and give them a monthly spray with a seaweed-based foliar (leaf) fertiliser to keep them in top shape.
Potted shrubs Anything that says it's 'drought resistant' on the label will be good in a pot, but do check the label to see if it needs sun or shade, too. Shrubs can spend their whole lives in pots, but they can also be planted out five or even ten years later, and given a new lease of life with space to spread.
Most herbs need lots of heat and thrive by hot windowsills, but they won't take humidity, so keep them well watered but well aired, away from other pot plants with lots of moist foliage that might increase the humidity around them. With luck a very big pot of basil, tansy, feverfew or wormwood will help stop the flies from coming in.
As a general rule grow each herb in its own pot—some herbs can overwhelm others.
Also, the more you pick your herbs, the healthier they'll be—new growth is more disease resistant. This is yet another reason to use your herbs lavishly. After all, a garden is there to use, as well as to delight you, whether it's in the ground or in a pot or hanging basket.
http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=120386
A Few Pot Tips
The bigger the pot, the better.
Group your pots together—it'll be easier to water them, but they'll also help keep each other cool or warm.
Mulch! Use coconut fibre (from the garden centre) or even pebbles to keep moisture in and stop the soil turning to concrete but...
When the soil DOES turn to concrete, replace the soil. Plants can't grow in concrete! And the water will slip down the sides, too, instead of wetting the soil so the roots can use it.
Use slow release plant foods, or even better, home-made compost.
Garlic chives These are TOUGH, and unlike common chives, don't die down in winter or shrivel in heat and drought. They're flatter and coarser than common chives, but great in stir fries, sandwiches and salads where you want an onion/garlic flavour. They grow well in pots around roses, fruit trees or other shrubs.
Strawberries These are great planted around the base of any shrub or tree. They'll spill out over the edges of the pot too.
Climbers Passionfruit, grapes, chokos and hops all grow excellently in pots if you give them somewhere to climb. A pot by a patio railing is perfect—the vine can clamber along the railing.
Potted roses Most roses will grow in big pots, and the new 'carpet' roses are great in hanging baskets too, with blooms for about nine months of the year, or even all year round in a sunny temperate spot. Do add water retaining crystals, though, and give them a monthly spray with a seaweed-based foliar (leaf) fertiliser to keep them in top shape.
Potted shrubs Anything that says it's 'drought resistant' on the label will be good in a pot, but do check the label to see if it needs sun or shade, too. Shrubs can spend their whole lives in pots, but they can also be planted out five or even ten years later, and given a new lease of life with space to spread.
Most herbs need lots of heat and thrive by hot windowsills, but they won't take humidity, so keep them well watered but well aired, away from other pot plants with lots of moist foliage that might increase the humidity around them. With luck a very big pot of basil, tansy, feverfew or wormwood will help stop the flies from coming in.
As a general rule grow each herb in its own pot—some herbs can overwhelm others.
Also, the more you pick your herbs, the healthier they'll be—new growth is more disease resistant. This is yet another reason to use your herbs lavishly. After all, a garden is there to use, as well as to delight you, whether it's in the ground or in a pot or hanging basket.
http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=120386
Anigozanthos 'Big Red'
Perennial tufted plants with strap-like leaves and tall red 5-6' flower stems. Suitable for full sun or partial shade positions, coastal or inland. Prefers summer watering around Ojai. Damaged by frost but foliage can be cut back in spring for flowering in summer. Sometimes attacked by fungus known as ink disease which is an inky-black spotting on the leaves. Kangaroo Paws are excellent cut flowers and great container plants.
Details
Biological Name: Anigozanthos 'Big Red'
Common Name: Red Kangaroo Paw
Family: Haemodoraceae
Origin: Mediterranean
Exposure: Full Sun or Partial Shade
Irrigation: Perfers summer water
Frost: Moderately Frost Tolerant
Soil: Well-drained, alkaline, light to heavy
Flower Color: Red
Flower Time: Spring-summer
Height: 3-6'
Width: 3'
Chamelaucium Ciliatum
Excellent cut flower and container plant. Flower: Spring/early summer. Low water once established. Full sun exposure. Well drained sandy soil.
So I'm honoured to work with people that make me happy and loved every day.
Someone mentioned to me today that the extrodinary love that we experience from those we love is God's affirmation of His love for us in our lives.
For example in the sacrament of marriage the love of one spouse for another is a showing of His love for us. How beautiful, how giving, how thoughtful is His love.
Someone mentioned to me today that the extrodinary love that we experience from those we love is God's affirmation of His love for us in our lives.
For example in the sacrament of marriage the love of one spouse for another is a showing of His love for us. How beautiful, how giving, how thoughtful is His love.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Personal Meditation:
So how do we perfectly love?
"God is Love". .....Wow. Love is God.
Jesus said "Love one another as I have loved you".
He loved His Living Church so much that He died for it.
When people were sarcastic, taunting and violent toward Him, He remained silent, humble and prayed.
The only time asserted Himself was when people offended God the Father e.g. Markets in the Temple.
He lowered Himself in order to touch others lives.
He lived humbly with few possessions.
He celebrated with others and accepted their love.
He loved His Mother and Father.
He celebrated all Holy Feasts with family and friends.
There was no one He would not love or befriend.
He took measure to defend the defenseless.
He gave to the poor.
He spoke out against human injustice.
He continued to offer forgiveness to anyone who asked for it.
He prayed daily for others.
He spoke the Truth to all.
He respected others and their rules.
He went to the Temple often.
He taught others how to pray.
He brought peace wherever he went.
So how do we perfectly love?
"God is Love". .....Wow. Love is God.
Jesus said "Love one another as I have loved you".
He loved His Living Church so much that He died for it.
When people were sarcastic, taunting and violent toward Him, He remained silent, humble and prayed.
The only time asserted Himself was when people offended God the Father e.g. Markets in the Temple.
He lowered Himself in order to touch others lives.
He lived humbly with few possessions.
He celebrated with others and accepted their love.
He loved His Mother and Father.
He celebrated all Holy Feasts with family and friends.
There was no one He would not love or befriend.
He took measure to defend the defenseless.
He gave to the poor.
He spoke out against human injustice.
He continued to offer forgiveness to anyone who asked for it.
He prayed daily for others.
He spoke the Truth to all.
He respected others and their rules.
He went to the Temple often.
He taught others how to pray.
He brought peace wherever he went.
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