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In the garden: September


 

Admire spectacular displays of the rock orchid (Dendrobium speciosum). These undemanding orchids grow on rocks, trees or in well-drained pots and have impressive long flower spikes covered in numerous blooms. Visit your nearest orchid specialist, online stores or see if your local orchid society has them available for purchase.

Tip prune camellias once flowers finish to maintain size and bushiness. Feed with an organic camellia food, such as Neutrog's Kahoona, during spring to boost growth and improve blooms for the next winter. 

Prune and feed passionfruit vine. These gross feeders need a heavy prune followed by a good feed of Gyganic (Neutrog) to promote new growth which will flower. Hand pollination may be necessary for good fruit set. With a small paint brush, move the pollen around the flower and onto the stigma, the female reproductive system of the flower.

If you haven’t done so in the last three years, re-pot cymbidium orchids when they have finished flowering. Divide into generous-sized clumps and repot into fresh orchid bark. Position pots in shade and water with seaweed solution.

Dahlia tubers are unbeatable for late-summer and autumn colour. Single petal, pompom, pinwheel or enormous sunflower types are all easy to grow and come back year after year.

Rejuvenate potted plants by repotting into a blend of two-thirds quality potting mix and one-third compost. Apply a controlled release fertiliser to the soil surface and water in thoroughly.