Spring is on the way out and the Jacarandas are putting down their carpets, heralding the change of season.
With the new season comes the Garden Clinic Summer Magazine - out now for members: a wealth of reading for you to enjoy this holiday season.
The Garden Clinic Summer Magazine is out now.
Your Garden Clinic Summer magazine should arrive in the mail this week.Digital members, you can download your PDF magazine now. Click on the Magazine tab
on the Garden Clinic homepage.
Star of late spring: Gardenias
Speaking of summer sentinels, there's nothing quite like the fragrance of Gardenias to conjure images of the summer ahead.
The glossy green leaves and fragrant, creamy-white flowers make gardenias a standout feature, whether used in the garden, as a hedge, grown as a standard,
or adorning a pot.
Get the lowdown on growing great gardenias, read the full article here.
Gorgeous in the garden, but perfect in pots too. Find out more at the Potted Garden Workshop with Claire Bickle, Brookfield Garden Centre, Tuesday November 28.
Member Question:
Q: Could you please ask your garden expert, Linda Ross, for some advice on what to do with this spider web-like covering that has covered most of my hydrangea.
I am in Melbourne Victoria and the hydrangea is in a pot on a veranda. Thanks in advance. Andrew
It's an extreme case of spider mite as seen in production igloos and greenhouses with less overhead watering. Populations can manifest quickly in these
conditions. Mite disorder this is the work of two-spotted mite (TSM), also called red spider mite as the females change to a reddish orange colour
over the cooler months. These tiny mites (just 0.5mm long), start out invading the undersides of leaves, then spread to the rest of the plant, leaving
a fine web as numbers increase. TSM pierce the leaf and suck the sap, severely damaging plant health. They spread quickly and across many plant species.
I like to water my plants with bath water from last night’s bath, which I find keeps all pests at bay. (Make sure you use earth-friendly soap!)
Alternatively, treat with Yates Rose Gun Advanced, Yates, nature’s way insect spray, Natrasoap or Eco-Neem (best mixed with eco-oil). During winter, spray
plants with Lime Sulfur to control summer breakouts.
An extreme case of Spider Mite
Bugwatch: Look out for powdery mildew
Powdery mildew is a widespread fungus that is carried by the wind. It multiplies rapidly in high humidity so thrives in overcrowded garden beds where the
air circulation is poor. Identify it by the characteristic grey-white, powder-like mildew on infected leaves. Affected foliage withers, become distorted
and dies.
To control its spread start by choosing disease-resistant cultivars, avoid overcrowding plants in shady areas of the garden, don’t use overhead irrigation
late in the afternoon, and keep the area clean of plant debris that may carry the spores. Also try Yates Fungus Gun or OCP’s Eco-fungicide.
Watch out for powdery mildew during high humidity.
What's on
Potted Garden Workshop this Tuesday at Brookfield Garden Centre
Brisbane members, don't miss out. This informative class by Claire Bickle is expected to fill up quickly, so book your place now. Remember, Garden Clinic members are invited to one free garden class each year.
Potted courtyard or balcony gardens are less forgiving than suburban gardens. A big garden can ramble a bit. But in a small garden everything is on show,
all the time.
In this Garden Clinic summer class you will gain new inspiration and a fresh eye to go about decorating your potted garden.
Photo - Nicholas Watt