Did you know... about your garden

Graham Ross shares 5 practical things to... benefit your knowledge

1. Aerial layering

Aerial layering is used to produce a larger, more established plant than cuttings can. It works encouraging roots to form on a stem while it remains attached to the parent plant, resulting in a mature clone. In early spring, select a healthy, straight stem. Make a shallow downward cut and remove a strip of bark. Apply rooting hormone, then wrap the area with damp sphagnum moss. Enclose in plastic, sealing both ends to retain moisture. Roots will develop within the wrap. Once established, cut below the root mass, remove the wrapping and pot up. Suitable for plants such as magnolias, figs, gardenias and camellias.

2. Indigenous vs endemic

Indigenous plants are native to a particular region or an environment. Endemic plants are restricted to a specific location within that region and occur nowhere else naturally. For example, many eucalypts are indigenous to the New England region of NSW, while Eucalyptus nicholii (willow peppermint) is endemic to a small and limited area of the Northern Tablelands and nearby regions.

3. The petiole stalk

The petiole is the stalk that connects a leaf blade to the stem. In some plants, petioles are brightly coloured, often red or purple. This colouring comes from pigments like anthocyanins, which can help protect the leaf from intense light, reduce stress or deter pests. It also adds ornamental value, as seen in plants like this false daphne ( Daphniphyllum macropodum ).

4. What is bolting

Bolting refers to when plants, such as herbs or lettuce flower prematurely – often due to heat – causing leaves to become bitter. To help manage, choose slow-bolting varieties, sow in cooler seasons, mulch to reduce stress and harvest leaves early. 

5. Soil structure

Soil structure refers to how soil particles are arranged, affecting drainage, aeration and moisture retention. Both sandy and clay soils benefit from the addition of organic matter such as compost, well-rotted manure or humus. In clay soils, this helps improve aeration and drainage. In sandy soils, it increases water and nutrient retention. Avoid materials like fresh wood chips or pine bark when aiming to improve soil structure.