Rockin' Around the Xmas Tree

The silly season is well and truly upon us. Ever since the Halloween decorations have been taken down Xmas has been shoved in our face with all the might retailers can muster. In fact in 22 days the world will descent into chaos, no wait - that's the boxing day sales!

Apart from Santa, reindeer, and presents, what else symbolises Christmas most? The tree of course! Where else is Santa, travelling all around the globe, pulled along by his band of merry reindeer, going to put all your presents???

The tree is the centre piece to any festive household, that shiny, sparkly beacon that reminds us of the holiday season (and presents, don't forget the presents). There are two main options when it comes to Xmas Trees: real or fake. Both have their advantages and disadvantages of course.

The fake ones usually have a pretty long shelf life with a tiny amount of stress while putting them up and packing them away (sometime in the new year...). These can be bought in a variety of stores, in a variety of sizes and colours at a variety of prices to suit everyone's needs and wants. They are practical and not too much fuss.

The real ones will give you more of a warm and fuzzy feeling. There is also the sense of adventure you'll get as you trek around town looking for the biggest and best, always trying to keep up with the Jones's. The 'Real McCoy' will give you that authentic smell of Christmas in your home.

Oh Christmas Tree - Pinus radiata

Generally to get the 'real deal' you'll be chopping down a Pinus radiata or the Monteray Pine - must be a throw back to the hunter/gatherer mentality of the caveman. In Sydney there is many places you can buy a tree, from going to a 'farm' to select and fell your own or heading to one of many retail  nursery outlets to get a pre-cut one.

Sorry, but I have a slight issue with real Christmas Trees. "Bah Humbug" I hear you yell at your laptop and other devises - but honestly, cutting down a tree, taking it home to decorate, then tossing it to the curb once it's lost it's veneer, sounds a bit wasteful doesn't it?.

Look there are options when you want to dispose of your pre-loved, real Xmas Tree and no it doesn't include taking it to the the tip. Best be trying to recycle that thing, some tree farms can take them back to mulch and reuse on their farms. Certain councils will collect trees after Christmas and those with wood chippers - go nuts and put that tree to good use - ashes to ashes, dust to dust, so to speak.

So what's my suggestion? Have you ever considered a potted specimen? As a southern hemisphere country that has summer Christmas' we do love being outdoors celebrating. Why not have a tree that can join in on all the festivities, by being allowed to be moved around, from inside to out.

There are the traditional potted options of course:

Picea abies - The Norway Spruce

Picea pungens - The Blue Spruce

Picea glauca - The White Spruce

Thuja  occidentalis 'Smaragd'

Juniperus 'Spartan'

Now us plant loving people don't really like common do we? So let's have a look at a few left of field choices you may not have considered. A little disclaimer before we start, I do like my native plants, so you'll probably see a theme developing pretty quickly in my following list:

1. Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis)

Up until 1994 this tree only existed in fossil records, you see this plant was supposed to be extinct, until a chance find by a adventurous National Parks employee brought it right back to life. It was reintroduced to the world and available for gardeners in 2006.

Wollemi Pine - a living fossil

Not only would the Wollemi Pine make a one of a kind Xmas tree, you'll be also doing your part to help conserve this endangered species - Wollemi nobilis has a very restricted range and is limited to fewer than 100 plants in the wild.

If it's relatives are anything to go by (Hoop Pine, Norfolk Island Pine & Kauri Pine) this rare find could get quite big, so keep it in a pot. There is a specialised Wollemi Pine potting mix available from nurseries, use it when potting up or re-potting (every 1-2 years).

It will tolerate short periods indoors with moderate light, outdoors it will prefer a part sun spot. So try one as your next Xmas tree, you can tell your friends and family you have a living fossil that was once food for the dinosaurs.

2. Lilly Pilly (Syzygium/Acmena species)

A fairly popular group of plants in the landscape world due to their quick growing nature and response to pruning, Lilly Pilly's have become much loved as hedges and topiary specimens right around the country.

It's that last point that makes them a good choice for an Xmas Tree. Selecting a medium to tall growing variety like Syzygium 'Resilience', S. 'Bush Xmas', S. 'Northern Select/Select Form', Acmena 'Firescreen', A. 'Hot Flush' or 'A. Sublime' as a potted specimen and pruned regularly will give it a 'cone' shape, keeping it dense and giving you something that you can dress up with ornaments.

Almost all Lilly Pilly's like a good deal of sun, so best to keep these guys outside where they'll get at least a half days worth. Use a good quality potting mix and water well when the temperature  rises. A prune and a feed 4-8 weeks before Christmas will help keep your potted Xmas Lilly Pilly looking in good shape.

Once a year, after the sting goes out of summer its a good time to pot up/freshen up the soil. The good thing with the Lilly Pilly is that it's something that will be quite comfortable if you planted it into the garden, so if you have a space that needs filing or a eyesore that needs screening, don't let it go to waste in a pot.

3. NSW Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum)

How can you go wrong with a plant that has the common name "Christmas Bush"? Each state of Australia has a species that represents them as a Christmas Bush, New South Wales lucked out when we got Ceratopetalum gummiferum.

Lady in Red - Ceratopetalum gummiferum

This tall shrub/small to medium tree grows primarily up and down the east coast of New South Wales, east of the great dividing range. It is well known for the bright red display it puts on prior and up to Xmas. But did you know the red colour that draws attention isn't actually the flower?

The flowers of Ceratopetalum gummiferum are actually cream or white and aren't as striking as what follows. The bright red produced by this plant is actually the colouring of the flower bracts, much like what happens with Bougainvillea and Poinsettia - the true flowers are usually secondary to the colourful outer parts that surround the flowers.

Now the NSW Christmas Bush can be a tricky one when it comes to growing in a neat, dense and uniform specimen. So to undertake this species as a potted Xmas tree will mean a longer term mission of love or simply finding a nice, ready to go specimen at your local nursery.

There is a variety called "Albery's Red" which is a bit smaller growing and has a more vivid, darker red colour - I would suggest his be a better option for your Xmas tree project. Either way, use a good quality native potting mix and as with the Lilly Pilly it's best to have this guy outside in a spot with half a days sun. Prune off the spent flowers to encourage a more bushy habit and more flowers the following season.

4. Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria hetrophylla):

If you have ever been anywhere remotely coastal I am sure you have seen these statuesque giants along the foreshore adjacent to beaches or in parks nearby. If the sand, the salt water air and sea gulls harassing you for a chip don't give it away, these plant sentinels are a great indication you are near the sea.

The common name is a dead giveaway of where they originate, but they are not a true pine tree although they have some similar characteristics. Araucaria has been kept as periodic house plants in Europe and also have been kept in atrium's of some of the Northern Hemisphere's biggest botanical gardens as they won't tolerate cold winters to well.

So it makes sense in the north of the world to keep them potted and indoors for Xmas. In cooler parts of Australia, younger plants will suffer during cold winters, often having their growing tip damaged and dying out. So potted plants should be given some protection through their 'formative' years.

The toast of the coast - Norfolk Island Pine

The form & branch structure of the Araucaria makes it an ideal tree to decorate, the right angled branches scream "lay some tinsel on me" and "hang those baubles off me". These factors make it a pretty good choice when it comes to potted Xmas Trees BUT a word of warning: they are a 'biggun' so I suggest you only ever have these in a pot, unless of course your background is a football field.

Re-plant or pot up to a bigger pot with a good quality potting mix, suitable for native trees, every 1-2 years. Use an slow release fertilizer recommended for trees in spring and increase watering as it warms up. In our part of the world, they'll be better off more outside than in.

5. Albany Woolly Bush (Adenanthos sericeus):

Hailing from the south of Western Australia, our last contestant enjoys long walks along the beach (but dislikes the water) and also enjoys the Mediterranean (the climate mostly). Once you see and touch this plant it doesn't take long to see why it get's it's common name. The handsome soft, velvety foliage begs to be touched and the small red flowers it bears are attractive to native birds.

It's a fine bush but it's no sheep - it's Silver Streak

Adenanthos are small to medium, fairly compact shrubs ranging to 1-5 metres tall and 1-3 metres wide. The variety known as 'Silver Streak' is particularly fitting for a potted Xmas tree, it's silvery foliage adds that 'just snowed on' look. It's a smaller, more compact variety, that will suit pots better. As a smaller potted Xmas Tree these little native beauties will brighten up the outdoor dining area and make a great table centre piece come Christmas Day.

The dating profile I provided above means the woolly bush is pretty easy going on the watering requirements but does prefer a warm, dry summer (low humidity) so if you do want to try this, a  potted specimen is a good way to start, because you'll able to move it around and find the ideal spot in your patio/garden/backyard.

As summer becomes autumn, a light tip prune will help encourage dense growth and even shape. In pots these guys will do well in a quality native soil mix containing native fertilizer. If you want to add it to your garden, ensure there is adequate drainage and the soil light and open, as they won't tolerate heavy clay soils.

So there you go, a few ideas for a potentially new kind of Xmas Tree this year. You should be able to find most of the plants mentioned in your local retail nursery, especially this time of the year - they'll usually be dressed up and in red pots to make them stand out.

Just remember, a lot of the ones mentioned here and that are available through nurseries naturally grow outdoors, so they should only be used as a short-term prospect indoors. Put them somewhere they'll get a good amount of sunlight and warmth and pop them outside periodically, maybe on the way out the door on your way to work every other morning.

Who says they have to be indoors anyway? You can have second or a third tree outside - 'tis the season after all! Don't be scared to try something new and different, you may just inspire someone else to give it a go next year!

Hop To It!

When I grow up I want to flavour a beer

You would have to agree - plants are pretty amazing things. Their presence enhances our lives in so many ways, without them we'd be far worse off. For millennia plants have and continue to benefit the human world greatly - providing us all with the tools to feed ourselves, build, invent and improve our physical and mental health.

I have been thinking about a series of blogs looking at some of the plants that have made a difference to society. The first is a plant that gives many of us pleasure, helps bring us together by socialising and has become increasingly popular in recent times. 

The fact that I like to enjoy the fruits of this plants labour, coupled with it's importance in my home state of Tasmania has made the humble hops the first subject in what I hope to be an educational look into some of the world's most important plants.

Hops, or Humulus lupulus, have been used as a preservative in beer for centuries. It is the cone shaped flowers of the female hop plant that are used in the brewing process. It is only the female flower cones used in the brewing process.

Hops are also used as the 'herbs and spice' to give beer its aroma and flavour. They can can either add a bitterness to compensate the sweetness from the addition of malt during beer production or they can add a variety of tastes & smells to the beer - including pine, mango, citrus, passionfruit, earth and grass.

The hop plant is a climbing bine, yep you read that correctly, I said bine. Now a bine is a slightly different form of climbing plant, the stems of the vine wrap around it's support in a 'helix' not relying on tendrils to attach to what it's climbing upon. Hops are grown and trained on wire or rope trellis'.

The ties that bine

Humulus grow extremely quick - up to 8 metres a year! This is the main reason they were declared a weed in England during the 15th century when hops were first introduced to the country. Hops are cut almost back to the base of the plant after harvest, as the best flowers are produced on the newest growth, plus it makes harvesting easier the following year.

We are 'hopping' a little ahead here, lets take a look back at the origins of the humble Humulus lupulus.... Hops originate in China but it was in Northern Europe the first documented hop cultivation occurred, it was 736 in the Hallertau region of present day Germany. The first mention of hops being used in brewing was also in Germany in 1036.

Prior to the use of a hops, a mixture know as gruit was used - the mixture contained things such as Ground Ivy (Glechoma), Horehound (Marrubium) and Yarrow (Achillea). But brewers also used things such as aniseed, cinnamon and ginger to giver their batches a certain something.

Germany is still the undisputed king of hop production and if you've ever visited the country you know they sure do love their beer! The Germans even have a beer purity law! That's right, they are strict on what goes into their beer. The Reinheitsgebot was first adopted in Munich in 1487. The best know adoption of the law came in 1516 in Bavaria - this law only allowed the use of Water, Barley & Hops to be used in the brewing of beer. It also set out to created uniform prices for the sale of beer.

Hops only grow in certain latitudes globally, the optimal range is between 35 and 55 degrees North. For example, the two largest hop growing regions in the world - Hallertau, Germany & Yakima, USA are located at 48 and 46 degrees North respectively.

Hop Up - hops growing on purpose built trellis

Today there are over 120 varieties of hops grown in over 20 countries. In Australia we grow approximately 12 varieties. The main growing regions in Australia are Victoria and Tasmania but southern areas of Western Australia and Bilpin in New South Wales are also being trialed as potential regions for hop production.

After several failed attempts to import live plants into Australia the first successful plantings of hops were produced from seed in 1803 in New South Wales, but due to poor site selection the crop was deemed to be a failure.

A former convict by the name of James Squires did however successfully produce the first crop of hops in 1806 from carefully selecting seed and taking cuttings from the 'strongest' of the original 1803 plantings. James was also credited with establishing Australia's first brewey at Kissing Point in Sydney. Today, Mr Squire has been immortalised by the Malt and Shovel brewery that caries his name on their beers.

Now here comes my proud Tasmanian heritage gloat: 60% of the total hops produced in Australia come from the Apple Isle! What else does Tassie do at 60% of national figures??? Tasmania's  geographical position is ideal for hop production.

The cold winters provide enough 'chill' days to break the hop plants winter dormancy. The temperate, cooler spring weather aids in steady and uniform growth. Coupled with it's clean air and water, the Apple Isle suits Humulus lupulus just fine, plus it's Tasmania - god's country.

Tassie's sixty percent of national hop production equates to approximately 1.8 million kilograms - so chances are even if you're not drinking a Tasmania beer, the flavours and aroma's probably come from Tasmanian hops! 2017 marked the 152nd hop harvest in Tassie.

Then....

... and now - how times have changed!

It was way back in 1804 when the first hop plants were planted in Tasmania in the Port of Dalrymple. It was then in 1864 when a man by the name of Ebenezer Shoobridge established a hop plantation at Bushy Park in the Derwent Valley, 55km north of Hobart. Today, the Bushy Park hop plantation is the largest hop plantation in Australia at 230 hectares.

Today's global craft beer market is experiencing a surge in popularity, even if overall beer consumption is falling worldwide. This interest has driven research and development into breeding new varieties to create a wave of flavours and aromas. It is some of Australia's R & D work that is making the world market sit up and take notice.

It seems nowadays when you shop for beer at the local bottle shop you are faced with many choices, it seems each week there is something new to try but I urge you take the plunge and try something different, there is some really good stuff out there away from the 'normal' - so here's some of my favorite local breweries:

Young Henry's Newtown, Sydney NSW
Batch Brewing Company Marrickville, Sydney NSW
Wayward Brewing Co. Camperdown, Sydney NSW
4 Pines Brewing Brookvale, New South Wales
Stone and Wood Byron Bay, New South Wales
Pirate Life Hindmarsh, Adelaide South Australia
Balter Currumbin, Queensland
Moo Brew Bridgewater, Tasmania

So when you are enjoying one of the above beers, or something else that takes your fancy, think of the humble hop plant - an amazing botanical wonder that has given the world much joy over countless centuries. Raise your glass, cheers to hops!

Epiphytes & Parasites Part Deux

Who does't like a good two part-er? You have read the first part right??? If not, you can check it out here.

Caught up now? Ok let's continue...

So we've learnt that the sweet, sweet Pineapples are bromeliads and that bromeliads are epiphytes. Which are plants that reply on other plants for support, to grow on, without any firm grip on the earth and no reliance on soil for nutrient and water. Many types of ferns and orchids are also epiphytes.

A common & popular Epiphyte - the Elkhorn.

In this installment of Ephiphytes & Parasites we look at the latter of the two and delve into the darker side of how plants can manipulate others for their own advantage. Parasitic plants generally have a negative effect on the growth and life cycle of their hosts by using them for more than just physical support, they also tap into their vascular tissue (plant veins) and steal their nutrients and energy.

Parasitic plants need to germinate in close proximity to their hosts, so they can attach themselves to ensure their survival and growth. Some parasitic plants are even clever enough to 'sniff out' their hosts by being able to detect certain chemical 'scents' host plants give off in the surrounding soil.

There are two types of plant parasites: stem - who attach and grow on the above ground parts of the host and the root parasites - that attach themselves to to the root system of their host. In both cases, once the parasite has coupled with the host, they begin to steal their food and water.

The first plant we'll cast the spotlight on is the group of Ficus (Fig) species known as strangler figs. This common name conjures up images of some kind of nocturnal serial killer but fear not, strangler figs only target other trees and palms.

Now these group of trees are actually an epiphyte, technically classed as a hemiephyte (only spending part of it's life as an epiphyte). It is the potential of these figs to kill others that makes me view them as more parasitic than epiphytic.

The tasty fig fruit is swiftly eaten by birds and dispersed into the canopy of nearby trees. The seed then germinates in the arches of tree branches and begins sending it's aerial roots towards the ground. It's in these early stages that these figs are more like true epiphytes.

The beginning of the end?

This diagram explains the life (and death) cycle of the strangler fig.

In general most Ficus sp. are quick growing. The aerial roots of the strangler fig rapidly descend towards the forest floor, becoming the first anchors and at this point it begins to gather soil water and nutrients, speeding up the growth process. It's not long until the fig will begin to wrap it's multiplying roots around the host plant, holding it tighter than any lovers embrace.

They grow up (and over) so quick!

The fig "take over" looks a bit alien but you have to tip your hat to the awesomeness of mother nature, she sure has equipped some of her 'children' with some pretty handy tools for getting on with life! Due to the fig being more aggressive than the host, the support trees can't compete as strongly for food and water and therefore can't produce new foliage to capture energy from the sun, in most cases they will slowly die out.

Even the end result is pretty impressive:

Inside the hollow, where a host once was.

Up next is a serious weed of agricultural significance. Dodder is a true plant parasite that has a nasty habit of infecting and smothering it's hosts to their untimely deaths. In Australia it causes problems in lucerne pastures and broad leaf and seed crops, contaminating production and reducing yields.

There are over 100 species of Dodder around the world, mainly in temperate and tropical regions. They produce small pink, yellow or cream flowers that produce an abundance of small seeds, that can lay in wait for up to 10 years in the soil. The plants themselves are leafless, having leaf modification resembling minute scales.

Most Dodder species can only produce small amounts of chlorophyll (or none at all), hence their reliance on other plants to get their nutrient requirements.

Who ordered the pasta?

Dodder (Cuscuta sp.) seed germinates close to their hosts by sensing and reacting to chemical cues of potential hosts plants.  They soon intertwine their climbing tendrils with the stems of other plants. These leafless stems then produce Haustoria, a root like structure that pierces and grows into the stems of the host drawing out nutrients.

Got it wrapped around your finger.

Dodder then rapidly grows, spreads over and blankets everything in it's path, not only suppressing growth by stealing nutrients but by smothering & restricting the growth of other plants. In a lot of cases Dodder can be fatal to the host and in crop production losses of up to 10% due to Dodder parasitism or suppression is not uncommon.

Lastly, one of my favourite parasites. Sorry if I have given the previous contestants a bad wrap, I promise that the next one will leave you feeling a bit more warm & fuzzy.

The group of parasitic plants known as Mistletoe's occur around the world. I have been fascinated by theses plants for a long time and more recently my interest was rekindled during a trip to Germany in December 2015.

These species , most likely Viscum album have a more globular habit, forming dense balls and look like decorations in deciduous trees as you can see below:

But I think us Australian's have the prettiest of all Mistletoe's. Down Under we have around 90 species, seventy of which are native. They occur in a wide range of hosts plants, both native and exotic. It can be difficult to spot them in evergreen trees, especially native host trees as they can mimic the leaf size & shape of their hosts. It is much easier to spot them in the canopy of deciduous trees throughout the cooler months without leaves to hide behind.

Mistletoe's are semi-parasitic as they have chlorophyll in their leaves to produce energy for growth but instead use their hosts like a surrogate root system, for support and water.

The amazingly pretty Long Flowered or Apostle Mistletoe 

Many of our native mistletoe's are beneficial to a wide range of wildlife - their foliage, flowers and fruit all are highly nutritious. It's the fruits I'd like to look at now, one of the most interesting things about mistletoe's is the way it has it's seed dispersed.

The seed is encased in a very sweet & sticky fruit which birds love! Birds will devour the fruit like a kid with candy. The fruit is digested fairly quickly through the little stomachs of our winged friends, unfortunately (and somewhat comically for the birds) the seeds remains fairly sticky on the way out!

The male Mistletoe Bird - looks like he wants to dance!

What happens next is a very interesting little dance the birds do to dislodge said seed, check it out here. Once stuck in place, the seed quickly germinates and taps into the lifeblood of the host tree.

It is rare that mistletoe's will cause death in their host's, when it does occur it is generally because the tree was already in poor health. If you must remove the mistletoe, simply remove the branch it's living on. Though I urge you at least to see it's floral display.

So there you have it, a little look at the world of parasitic plants. Some deservedly have a bad reputation, whereas others get an unfair label. But all in all they do deserve a little appreciation, they have evolved to take advantage of others for their own benefit, it's these survival mechanisms that make plants  interesting and worthwhile of further study - who knows what they secrets they still have left for us to discover???

Little Green Thumbs

A collective sigh of relief and groans went up almost simultaneously on Friday as kids finished up school term number 3 (in New South Wales at least).

Yeah I know, "where's part two of Epiphytes and Parasites?" I hear you say, well if I have learned anything from big American TV shows, there is nothing like a mid-season break to keep the fans interested/anger them to no end.

Getting your hands dirty? Bright coloured gum boots are a must.

So in this installment I'd like to have a look at things we can do as parents, care givers and/or educators to help our kids get interested in the garden and natural world.

There is a certain wonder we get growing up and at various stages throughout our lives as we learn, as certain subjects capture our imagination. It's one of those things we tend to lose as we get older and something that comes flooding back when we have kids of our own.

In the modern urban landscape, where the average size of house yards and gardens are shrinking before our eyes, it is more important than ever to ensure the next generation has the opportunity to learn, discover and interact with the natural world.

I think most of us at some point in our junior school days would have done the simple experiment with alfalfa sprouts growing on cotton wool in various conditions. This simple but effective experiment has introduced many kids around the world to how plants begin their lives.

Sprouts Alive!

It can show little minds what plants require to grow and how we can effect there growth by manipulating various conditions and recording the outcomes of our intervention. Aside from alfalfa, there are many other easy to grow species such as Basil, Lettuce, Allysum, Sun flowers, Sweet peas, Marigold, Carrots, Rocket, Snap Dragons.

Mr Fothergills has a great range of seeds and seed raising kits for beginners, you can find these at all good retail nurseries. But come on now, we can get a little bit more creative than that when it comes to growing plants from seeds, right!.

Nowadays pots come in many shapes, sizes and colours but we can look around the home and find some more interesting ways to grow plants from seeds, while also reducing household waste a little and every bit counts.

Eggshell Seedlings

Don't throw away your egg cartons and shells, instead reduce your waste and keep them for this nifty seed raising idea. 

An eggsellent idea.

Remove the egg carton lid, place eggshells into the remaining "dimpled" section of the carton. With a teaspoon carefully fill about 80% with a seed raising mix, water soil lightly before sowing the seed.

If you're using small seeds sprinkle lightly over the top and fill with a further 10% soil  mix, for larger seeds like Sun flower or Beans just one seed per eggshell pushed lightly into the soil before adding more soil will suffice. Once seed is sown, lightly water again so the soil settles into place.

Don't forget to label your seeds so you remember what you've planted - you can use a permanent marker and write directly onto the eggshell. Then place in a warm, but sheltered spot and wait for the germination magic to begin. If it's still a little cold where you are, a warm windowsill will work just as well, just remember to move outside when it's warm enough.

The great thing about using eggshells to raise seedlings in is they can be planted out still in the eggshell. Just lightly crack the shell all over, to help the biodegrading process. Once in the ground (or a pot) the shell will break down adding food to soil and in turn back to the plant.

Soft Drink Bottle Pot People

Here's another crafty idea that can help get the little ones interested in the world of plants by engaging their creative side and imagination. You probably have the odd soft drink bottle sitting around the house just waiting for the recycling bin right? Don't throw them out just yet!

Nice Fro!

For this little project you'll need an empty and cleaned soft drink bottle, scissors plus some craft supply's such as googly eyes, craft clue (or a hot glue gun), buttons or bottle tops and pipe cleaners, but don't let me limit your imagination!

Cut the bottle, keeping 1/3 to 1/2 of the bottom piece. With a nail or the blade of the scissors, make little holes in the bottom for drainage. Before we fill the bottle section with soil we need to create your pot man (or woman, or animal). So get creative, get decorating - add some crazy eyes, a cute nose, big floppy ears and a warm smile.

Once the glue has dried and the smoke has settled from your furious crafting it's time to get your green thumbs wiggling. Add soil to the bottle, not all the way to the top, leave a couple of centimeters so water doesn't overflow, then lightly water in to settle and hydrate the soil. All that's left is to sow the seeds.

Now you can sow anything that takes your fancy but a good idea is to use a plant that will look like hair for your pot person. Some suggestions would be Sprouts, Chives, Parsley (triple curl for that cool Afro look), Coriander, Marjoram or Oregano - something that will give you a nice hair style that you can even cut for use in the kitchen.

Again, leave in a sunny (sun to part shade) spot or on a warm window sill. Remember to increase the water once the plants start growing. The packet your seeds came in will have all the info you need to help you start growing.

Feeding the Locals

Attracting wildlife and increasing biodiversity in our little corners of the world is a pretty important thing these days with the pressure the urban sprawl is putting on the natural environment. In a bid to help our native locals and connect our kids with nature here's a couple of simple ideas to get the kids involved.

Sticking with the recycling theme, both these bird feeder project use household items and take little effort to create. Firstly the drink bottle bird feeder:

Two, Four, Six, Eight - bog in, don't wait!

Again we use a empty soft drink bottle, you'll also need the lid. We will also need one or two wooden spoons (depending on the size of the bottle), blu tack or craft putty, scissors, string or fishing line and of course bird seed.

Cut two holes (per spoon) into the side of the bottle. Holes need to large enough to fit the handle through comfortably. The holes need to be opposite from each other and don't have to be 100% level.
Push the handle trough until the spoon end is up against the plastic. If required, hold the handle end in place at the exit hole with blu tack or craft putty.

Where the spoon end is protruding the hole will need to be made slightly larger to allow the seed to gently spill out and fill the spoon area as birds have their breakfast lunch or dinner. The longer handle part of the spoon can serve as a perch for those birds that just want to stop and rest a while.

Before you buy seed and fill your bird feeder it is important to check what birds are in your area and talk to a pet shop for advise on the right seed for those birds. Once you've selected the bird seed and filled the bottle you'll need to hang it up. Taking the string or fishing line, wrap one end around the mouth of the bottle and tie off. Screw the lid on over the string so it is firmly secure.

Next we need to find a nice spot where the birds can enjoy their meal, maybe you have a tree in your yard or maybe you could hang it off a railing from a balcony. Remember to check on seed levels regularly and keep clean and tidy.
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The second way to make an easy DIY bird feeder is to re-use another common household item, the humble toilet roll. Before  Mum or Dad throw out those empty toilet rolls, keep them aside for this sticky bird feeder.

Dinner is served

For this (possibly messy) project you will need string or fishing line, as many empty toilet rolls as you can handle, peanut butter, bread & butter knife (or paddle pop sticks), plastic container and bird seed.

Pour some bird seed into the container (see notes above on bird seed selection) this will be used to coast the toilet rolls in a moment. Stand the toilet roll up vertically. using the knife apply the peanut butter to the surface of the toilet roll. Gently roll the cardboard cylinder over the seed in the container until covered well.

Repeat until all rolls are complete, set a side, standing upright and allow to dry a little. When seed/peanut butter mixture is tacky enough to touch, take lengths of string (or fishing line) and pass through the cylinder, the length of string needed will depend on where you want to hang it from. Tie ends of string in a knot and find a nice spot to hang, sit back and watch the birds enjoy their tasty treat.

It's thirsty work!

Aside from food, birds also will appreciate a refreshing drink, especially in the warmer months. So just like your pets at home, leave some water out for the birds. Now you could go to the effort of buying a proper ceramic or concrete bird bath but it's easier  to do something yourself.

Chatting around the water cooler

Using a terracotta pot saucer (available from nurseries and landscape supplies), elevated it off the ground with old bricks, blocks or pots, this is so birds can evade predators. The best placement is somewhere quite and out of the way, a protected area where birds won't feel threatened or bothered.

Another way we can provide a water source for our winged friends is by using a hanging or suspended bird bath. You can buy these pre-made with chain link or wire hangers attached already from garden centres or pet stores.

For the handy Mums & Dads out there buy a plastic pot saucer, which are easy to find and cheap to purchase then attach some chain link, string or fishing line to the sides. Hang them up in a tree then just add water.

The old watering hole

The depth of the dish or saucer should be enough for the birds not only to drink from but to bathe themselves too. Just keep an eye on the water levels and top up as needed. It is important to think of our local wildlife in times of drought and extreme weather as things in the 'wild' can be tough.

So there are a few ideas to keep your little people entertained, not just these school holidays, it could be any weekend when you have some spare time, wondering what to do.

To borrow a quote from 'The Greatest Love of All' by Whitney Houston - "I believe children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way", this is so true, they will be the keepers of the future and we need to engage them in ways of the world.

There are loads of cool ideas out there and its not too hard to look for them but hopefully you've found a couple here you can use and your kids will enjoy the results of their work - if you do try some, let me know how it went - you can contact me here.

Bringing a Tree to an Epiphyte

Hanging Around - Bird's Nest Ferns looking at home.

As you have probably have figured out by now I have an affection for plants. There are many reasons why I do but the biggest reason is simply because they are so gosh darn interesting. In this episode of "Quirky Plant Tales" we look at a group of plants that do things a little differently, not quite independent, they use the support of other plants to help them grow. It's the way they survive that makes them worthy of a blog entry.

There is a  group of plants that have evolved to grow on the surface of other plants. Known as Epiphytes, they have developed mechanisms that allow them to take up their water and nutrient requirements through plant tissue (i.e. foliage and aerial roots), thus not relying on root systems for anchoring themselves, but instead getting a leg up via the support from other plants. Their reliance on others for physical support generally doesn't have a negative effect on the plants that help their growth.

Epiphytes have a fairly wide distribution across the earth. They mainly occur in tropical and temperate zones around the world and also in some pretty harsh environments, including the desert, making them a pretty popular choice for gardeners both indoors and outdoors because of their low soil and water requirements.

Epiphytes play a pretty important role in the ecosystem by cycling nutrients through the debris (leaf littler) they collect, breaking it down and returning to the earth. They also provide habitat for many species of animals, reptiles, frogs, fungi & bacteria. Some well know examples of commonly cultivated epiphytic plants include:

Bromeliads:

Plants that the cling together...

Probably one of the most common epiphytic plants in cultivation, the Bromeliaceae family consists of almost 3,500 know species, not to mention the dozens of varieties and hybrids. They are famous for being tough and reliable in a variety of locations across the globe. The come in many shapes and sizes, with striking colours through foliage and flowers, which can be very intricate. Possibly the most famous member of the bromeliad family is the sweet and tasty Pineapple.

The pineapple (Ananas comosus) fruit develops on 
the  top of the 'mother' plant - you can grow new
 plants from the spiky top of the pineapple fruit.

Bromeliads are usually grown commercially in very open, coarse soil mixes or bark (similar to what Orchids are grown in) as they are less reliant on a "traditional" root system for getting their food and water. Traditional ways to grow/display bromeliads is similar to how they grow in the wild, on branch axis's in trees or arranged in rocky crevices. They can be held in place by fishing line, a fine rope or string. Nowadays there are many creative ways to display bromeliads - on rocks, on fallen branches or in terrarium or green wall systems.

There is also a group of bromeliads know as "Air Plants". Tillandsia species number over 600 worldwide, growing in tropical forests, mountains and swamps. They are easy care plants that can be glued onto surfaces such as rocks and drift wood, while species like Spanish Moss (or Old Man's Beard) are know as aerophytes, growing with no root structure, they can be bought in pieces which you just hang in tree branches.

These plants have become increasingly popular for indoor use being able to be displayed in interesting ways such as on rocks and crystals, but also in ways mentioned above. Although readily available through retail nurseries and markets, it's not all that difficult to do yourself at home.

Life on the rocks - one of the many ways you
can buy or display an Air Plant

"Is it a bird? Is it a plane?" No it's an aerophyte - Spanish
Moss or Old Man's Beard to be exact.

Both rely heavily on the air and atmosphere to provide them with water and nutrients. In the home garden it is a good idea to mist them with a spray bottle or hose periodically. The same goes with fertilizing, use half (or less) strength houseplant liquid feed and apply by spraying in the air around the plant. To determine where they should be placed, a good tip is this - thin leaved species prefer shelter and shaded situations, whereas broad leaf species can handle the elements and exposure better.

Ferns:

We generally think of ferns growing on forest floors amongst the under growth, but as we look at the ground trying to spy these ancient plants we miss the regal species sitting above us. In a previous blog "Lyres & Figs" I mentioned the awesome site of Bird's Nest Ferns (Asplenium nidus or A. australasicum) nestled in trees many feet above us while walking in Minamurra Rainforest. They are a fascinating sight and well worth craning your neck up to spot these beauties.

You will also see these ferns growing on the ground, if you do, take a peek into the centre of the plant and take a look at the amount of leaf litter these ferns can collect. It helps give the picture of how they get their common name, but this collection of fallen leaves and debris actually helps feed the plant and add to the soil bio-mass over time.

Another couple of popular epiphytic ferns in the landscape are know as Stag or Elkhorns.

Staghorn - Platycerium superbum

Elkhorn - Platycerium bifurcatum

These majestic plants have been popular in cultivation and have been displayed in Aussie gardens for decades. These iconic ferns produce two types of fronds, or fern leaves. One that "laminates" around the  surface it is occupying while protecting the roots within from damage. The other fronds are the more obvious ones you see on display, which their common name is derived from.

The main way to tell the two apart are by the way the fronds are arranged. Staghorns have a central broad, solitary frond whereas the Elkhorns are a cluster of smaller fronds, generally with more divided "leaf" ends.

As new fronds are produced the older ones die back and add to the nutrient cycle of the plant - this gives the plant a nest like appearance, this "nest" also catches falling leaf litter, eventually feeding the plant. Many seasoned gardeners will give you the helpful tip of feeding your staghorn banana peels but keep in mind they aren't generally hungry plants, so feed in moderation.

Due to their size and growth habit, Staghorns are predominately sold on boards or shields (plastic or wooden) which makes it easy to attach to a wall or tree trunk. Elkhorns can be grown in pots, which can be transplanted onto a tree or similar surface and held on with the use of sphagnum moss and fishing line or string. It is important to keep them both in a protected spot, out of the elements, somewhere cool, with good air flow and access to moisture - just like what they receive in nature.

Orchids:

This group of plants are some of the prettiest flowering plants in the world and probably the most popular form of epiphytic plant. With over 28,000 species, it is the second largest family of flowering plants behind the daisy family (Asteracea). Around half of the total species of orchid in the world are ephipyhtes.

Art imitating life - Dendrobium kingianium attached to a
piece of driftwood.

In Australia we have approximately 1,700 native species and around 14% of those are epiphytes. One of the more popular species is Dendrobium kingianum (Pink Rock Orchid), it is one Dendrobium species of around 1,400 in the Asia/Pacific region (including Australia). It is widely grown commercially due to it's robust nature, it is sold both in pots or attached to boards/shields. Modern breeding and hybridisation techniques have further increased it's popularity, producing bigger flowers and more vibrant colours.

In the wild it can grow two ways, as an epiphyte or a lithophyte (growing on rocks). Flowering late winter to spring, the natural colour is predominantly pink but white forms also occur. If growing in pots, a specific orchid barks are available, like with ferns, Dendrobiums generally prefer similar conditions they receive in the wild - shaded, filtered light and protection from hot dry winds.

The other notable species is the Cooktown Orchid - Dendrobium bigibbum or D. phalaenopsis or is it Vappodes phalaenopsis??? The debate over the correct classification of the Cooktown Orchid has done little to overshadow it's striking beauty. Named after the northern Queensland town of Cooktown, where it's natural but limited distribution occurs.

He's not heavy, he's my brother - Hitching a ride of a Frangipani

Since it's declaration as state floral emblem of Queensland in 1959, the Cooktown Orchid has become more widely cultivated, needing less protection than similar species, it's more robust nature has made it a popular choice for gardeners in warmer parts of Australia. As with the Rock Orchid previously, it can be grown in pots in specific orchid bark or attached to a tree branches for a more natural look.

Unfortunately due to it popularity, extensive and sometimes indiscriminate collecting in the wild has seen this species listed as 'Vulnerable' on the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Security Act 1999 as it has become rare or extinct in some of it's natural range.

Several of the epiphytic plants mentioned previously, Bromeliads and Ferns, make great habitat for lizards, amphibians and insects. So if you are into promoting biodiversity and attracting beneficial critters to your garden it's well worth adding a few of these plants to your landscape. They can be used in eye catching and interesting ways in the garden, home or office.

With little effort and outlay (if you're prepared to a little work yourself) you can create plant masterpieces for your home, inside and out. Many of the plant types mentioned above are readily available and there is loads of info on how to care for them out there, especially through various plant groups and societies that are more than happy to help you on your way.

I'll end this episode here, but stay tuned next time when we delve into the world of parasitic plants! Species that reply on other plants for more than just support and are sometimes plain scary when you find out how they use others for their own gain.

What is IGA ?

"Right this way folks" Stecky the Mascot will
help us  learn all about IGA 2017

So it's almost a month since we got back from our 3rd Eurotrip and I thought it was high time I get my blogging butt into gear. It certainly is a tough life travelling, but one of the many perks of having a European girlfriend. 

This time round we were in Berlin for the start of Summer, though the weather at times didn't want to play nice, but it's hard not to love Berlin. This time around we based our Berlin travels around the IGA Berlin 2017 - "what's a IGA Berlin 2017?" I hear you say, well read on and let's find out.

Now to us Australian's IGA is a supermarket, why would I be excited about going to see groceries? And who would be selling tickets to that? No, silly, the IGA is the Internationale Gartenausstellung, an international garden exhibition held at Garten der Welt in Marzahn, Berlin from the 13th of April to the 15th of October 2017 - a hundred days celebrating "an ocean of colour" which is the motto for the event and as you'll see below, it was brought to life in the form of plants.

"You are here... somewhere"

This wasn't my first trip to Garten der Welt, on our last holiday to Berlin in May last year we stopped in to have a look around. I was very impressed as it is a very well looked after and designed park, displaying garden styles from around the world, collections include Asian, Mediterranean and English gardens. Garten der Welt is within the Erholungspark which totals 250 acres.

In 1987 the park was chosen to hold the horticultural expo know as Gartenschau that commemorated Berlin's 750th birthday. Flash forward 30 years and the site is now in full swing showcasing the IGA 2017.

The original site for the IGA was the former Berlin airport Tempelhof, but in September 2012 the venue was moved to the Garten der Welt. This move saw an additional 15 hectares purchased for the development & construction of future garden displays, which began in 2014. Over 500 designers and contractors were involved in the project that had a budget of approximately 130 million euros.

Our trip to IGA took place on June 24th, an overcast day but very suitable for us all to enjoy what lie ahead. A park & ride system took us from the car park to the venue and within no time we were inside - the first question, where to first? The program & map helped give us our bearings, as much had changed since our last visit. I was getting excited to see both old and new gardens.

My senses were going into overdrive, so many sights and smells. From the main entrance my intuition told me to turn to the right, towards the newly created display gardens, it might have been the pull of the Australian Natives but our first stop was "Cultivated by Fire" an Australian landscape garden design by the creative team at T.C.L. from Melbourne.

Blackened poles symbolise fire stick farming

The colour and the shape - mass planted Ptilotus exaltatus 'Joey'

United colours of Australia - Banksia  underplanted with Chrysocephalum & Scaevola

The garden is inspired by how the Australian aborigines and their ancestors used and managed the landscape with fire. You are almost always guaranteed to run into Aussie's overseas! The garden is accented with mass planting's of shrubs and ground covers to show off form and texture. The Eucalyptus (Gums), Acacia's (Wattles) and Xanthorrhoea (Grass Trees) give focal points throughout the design.

Moving right along, the next few gardens had a heavy Asian and Oriental influence, based on famous design principles from architects in those regions. The lineal use of bamboo  gave boundaries and framed the design and directed "traffic" while the use of sculptures gave focus and the use of water created a calming effect, displaying the flow of energy and life.

Beware the Panda's!

Don't go chasing waterfalls 

"Garden of the Mind" took inspiration from the
southern islands of Thailand.

Waterlilies are are great statement for a garden pond

Probably the most memorable garden design, after the Aussie contribution, was the artificial 'Los Angeles Garden' by Germany's Martin Kaltwasser. The 'garden' is a detailed replica of the miniature garden 'island' at Bergamot Station car park in Santa Monica. The fake palms, fenced off asphalt playground almost perfectly mirrors real life.

Fake news? No just fake palms - the 'Los Angeles Gardens'

Martin adequately displays his idea of how the automobile and the roads that they travel upon has almost explicitly displaced nature in this piece and got a few laughs and smiles from those who strolled by to have a look. Who said German's don't have a sense of humor.

After our jaunt through the newly added international gardens we hopped on the purpose built cable cars, that run from one side of the park to the other, it's a great way to travel through the gardens and gives you an amazing view of the layout.

The view from our cable car

Cable Cars in action

There are three cable car stations throughout Garten der Welt, we started on the east (main entrance side) and headed west, towards the mid-way point, the viewing platform know as Wolkenhain.

Der Wolkenhain or Clouds Grove viewing platform

The Wolkenhain view

Now in the western precinct, we made our way back to the entrance. The path took us passed tiered garden beds, show casing many wonderful plants with different foliage form, colour & texture and an array of flower colour,  sticking true to the motto of the IGA "ocean of colours".

On top of these tiered gardens were displays showcasing sustainable gardening, horticultural and landscaping practices. Generally this southern part of the gardens was an educational precinct, giving visitors the chance to learn about environmentally practices and implement ideas at home through practical educational information and demonstrations.

After a well earned lunch break  to rest and recharge the batteries it was onto the Blumenhalle (Flower Hall) to check out the plant displays and new varieties released for the IGA this year. There was an amazing array of plants on show, amazing flower colour, different foliage form with striking architectural shapes and textures arranged with eye catching detail. You really got a sense of the passion of the people that created such displays.

Fagus sylvatica purpurea pendula swamped by Hydrangea's 

Purple and White equals bright!

Many green walls were on display, demonstrating
what you can do to brighten up vertical spaces

The apple 'step over' (horizontal cordon) is an initiative way
to grow fruit in small or linear gardens

There was so much flower, foliage, colour and shape to draw my attention, I couldn't possible take it all in, but I did take many pictures. At this point we had already been there for several hours but I felt like I hadn't seen enough! So before it was time to leave I did a quick walk around to see some of the newer attractions especially constructed for the IGA.

My inner child just had to check out "Konrad reitet in die Suedsee", a play area inspired by the book The 35th of May, or Konrad's Ride to the South Sea by Erich Kaestner. The book shows gardens as wonderful places, full of fun and adventure. The designers and builders who brought this playground to life certainly hit the nail on the head. In fact, Konrad's Ride to the South Sea is the biggest water play park in Berlin, I know my two girls would love it here.

Having a whale of a time!

My final stroll took me past many gardens beds of wonderfully bright flowers, plants of many sizes and shapes back towards the entrance where my German family were waiting (patiently) for me. A staggering 1,500 trees, 6,000 roses, 35,000 perennials and 3000,000 bulbs were newly planted for IGA 2017.

Mass planting equals mass appeal

An estimated 2 million people will visit IGA during the 186 days it's open and the one thing I noticed was the love of gardens and gardening by Germans, they, like many Europeans, really do enjoy their time outdoors and the summer months certainly lifts the mood and inspires you to venture outdoors. It's a good thing after IGA is finished around 85% of the newly created gardens and amenities will remain in place.

I guess summer and sun is a premium for a lot of European countries and they make the best of it while they have it, by tending to and brightening their lives through plants and gardening- even balconies and window sills are adorned with potted plants and planter boxes displaying seasonal colour.  

I really enjoyed the IGA, I wish I had more time to just wander aimlessly. It's crazy how excited I get when I'm in parks and gardens or visiting garden exhibitions or displays, it really makes me feel like a kid - I guess it's in my blood. So if your currently anywhere near Berlin you should definitely check it out, you've only got another 72 days! If you can't make it I hope my blog has given you a little insight into the IGA 2017. You can find out more here if you're still thirsty for more.