Caching In

What's in the box?

After a slow start, Summer seems to have finally arrived in Australia. For many it's holiday time which is a great opportunity to get to leave the house and enjoy the great outdoors. Some of you may be on holidays, good for you! If you are lucky enough to be away, be it an old haunt or new spot, it's great to be able to explore your surrounds and see what the area has to offer.

Today I'll be looking at the GPS driven treasure hunt known as Geocaching and how you can utilize this recreational outdoor activity to get out amongst nature, find some new and interesting locations in your area and an opportunity to have fun and adventure with all the family. There's nothing worse being cooped up inside when the weather's nice outside and this is a pretty easy way to get out, get some exercise both physical and mental and be immersed in nature.

I had previously tried Geocaching a few years ago as a birthday gift. Earlier this year I had the pleasure of spending 5 months overseas, mostly in Germany. With all this spare time I took up Geocaching again as a way to explore my surroundings. It was a great way to check out a new area I was staying in or finding a few new spots in places I had been before. Ambling through forests is one most relaxing things I can think of, coupling this with a treasure hunt helps engage the senses further by making you take in your surroundings and look for more detail.

The history of Geocaching originated in a game called "Letterboxing" where players used clues and references to landmarks to find hidden objects. Letterboxing originated in Devon, England in 1854. During it's early beginning's hikers left letters and postcards in a wooden box, then the next person to discover the box would collect these items left and post them. 

Letterboxing combined aspects of orienteering, art and problem solving to lead players to find small wooden boxes. These wooden boxes contained a small rubber stamp (most often hand made) and stamp pad which finders could use to record their personal notebook. Finders would also use their own stamp to leave an imprint in the log book of the found box.

The term Geocaching was first coined on May 30th, 2000 by GPS Stash Hunter (the term for Geocaching previously) Matt Stum. The word is made up of two separate words: Geo - of earth, which describes its outdoor nature and cache - a French word that means a temporary hiding place to store items. In more recent times, cache is more connected to computers as a means to quickly retrieve frequently used information.

But it was 4 weeks earlier on May 2nd that Geocaching hurtled into the new millennium due to the selective availability function on GPS being switched off. 

What's your frequency Kenneth? A GPS satellite above earth

Up until this date, the U.S. developed Global Positioning System was degraded, meaning the public had limited or sometimes no access to GPS. Then came along saxophone playing President Bill Clinton who ordered selective availability to be switched off.

One day later on May 3rd, Stash Hunting enthusiast David Ulmer wanted to test the new found GPS accuracy by hiding a container in the woods and recording it's location with a GPS device. The hunters would then have to find the container by using their own GPS device. So off David went, hiding his container - which was a bucket, that was half buried, containing: a pencil and note pad and various prizes such as videos, software, a slingshot and a can of beans in the woods near Beaver Creek, Oregon (near Portland).

Up until May 3rd, 2000 Beaver Creek was most famous for being a one time residence of former ice skater/baseball bat wielding Tonya Harding, so I am sure the people of Beaver Creek were happy to have Geocaching come along. 

Within 3 days of David hiding his stash and posting the location two different players found his container of goodies. And what happened to that can of beans I hear you say? Well eventually Dave's container was destroyed by a lawn mower, only the beans survived and now has been turned into a trackable item, a physical game piece that can travel from geocache to geocache.

Beans, beans the musical fruit

So now I have hit you with a bit of history, you're probably wondering how you get involved in this exciting activity? Well if you're an owner of a smart phone you are in luck, as it is as simple as downloading the Geocaching app . If you are a well experienced outdoors type who has a GPS devise, that will also come in handy. Once you have set up a user profile you're almost good to go.

Like many apps these days there is a basic, free version or a paid premium version. Unless you're up for a bigger challenge or previously experienced, the basic version will be a good start as you find your feet (and hopefully a few caches too). It is easy to get into Geocaching quite quickly and with limited caches to find, the paid app might be something for those who want a bit more difficulty in their hunt. 

Image 1

Above in image 1 you will see the initial page once you set up your profile. This view is similar to GPS navigation app you have to find your way around, except these will have green pin icon containing a box - this is good, as you'll have a cache in your area to find. If you ever lose your spot you can click on the map center icon (top right) to find your position again.

Once you find some nearby cache/s select one to hunt for and a rectangle box will pop up giving an overview of the cache (bottom of image 1). Pressing on that rectangular box will expand the overview and provide more information, including difficulty to find, terrain surrounding the cache and size of cache. There is also other helpful info such as description, activity (when people have searched/found it previously), hints and attributes - see Image 2.

Image 2

So now you've decided on the cache to find, click on the green "Navigate" button and this will expand the map to show the route to the cache (image 3). This works much like google maps when you select direction, and much like maps, as you move closer the distance measure will shorten. When you get within in 10m of the cache you're phone will alert you by pinging or vibrating depending on your phone.

Image 3

Now depending on your service and GPS accuracy the next bit will be a bit more up to you. Now what do you look for? My advise is check the the hints and view the activity on the expanded overview (see image 2) this insight can be very helpful. Most users are a little cryptic and hopefully as problem solvers/treasure hunters you'll be able to figure it out - having other people with you is of great value to.

Cache's come in all sizes and shapes. Basic cashes are test tubes or old film canisters (for anyone old enough to remember camera film). Small to medium plastic, Tupperware like containers are also used. More elaborate caches may be old ammunition boxes, fake rocks or pine cones (like the ones used to hide a spare key and the then those that are made out of more natural elements such as hollowed out branches of trees. Some examples are shown below:

All caches great and small

Once you find the cache make sure you record the find, either via the logbook inside the cache and/or on the app. Also if you don't find it you can record that too via the app. If you notice any issues with cache, e.g. damage or missing items, not in the right spot - please send a message on the app for the owner so they may rectify the issue.

Tips when looking for and finding cashes:

• Keep your eye out for things that might seem a little out of place
• Check the hints, recent activity and description in the cache summary
• Look for trampled or disturbed ground, the tracks of other might help lead you 
• Put the cache back as you found it, you might think there's a better hiding spot but that's not your property. If you want to hide a cache create one, log it and let others find it
• You are in the outdoors, dress appropriately and slip, slop, slap
• Again, you're in the outdoors! Check the weather forecast and keep an eye on where you're  walking
• Generally cache's aren't left on private property, so there shouldn't be any need to trespass
• Some caches may be in more public urban environments so take stock of your surroundings and assess for any possible danger
• If it's a large cache with goodies to take it's also nice to leave something behind that someone else might like to keep for a souvenir (obviously plan ahead in this case)
• Plan a cache session with friends and family and make a fun day of it, it gets quite addictive
  

With the holidays upon us it is a great time to give Geocaching a try, or like me, pick it up again if you've had a go before. It's a great way to kill a few hours while exploring and most of the time you'll be amongst nature and that's a pretty good feeling too. 

It such an easy go-to activity you can pick up anytime, it can be done by various age groups and is super handy when you're struggling to find things to do. Once you get the hang of it you'll find it easy to chase down a few caches in your spare time. There's really not much to lose, give it a go and hopefully it'll kick start your sense of adventure - good luck!

Bathing Beauties

How's the serenity?

For some it's a drink in hand lying on their favourite deck chair, for others its feeling the sand between their toes and listening to the waves come to shore. These are things that help us relax, unwind and de-stress. In an ever changing world that demands more of us each day it is important for us to find these things that help balance our state of mind.

For me, a combination of the examples above is always a lovely way to chill out. Though there is always one sure fire way for me to feel free - that is to be surrounded by nature, specifically plants and trees. To me, the rustling of tree leaves in the wind is equal to or better than hearing the waves at the beach. Smelling the unique scents that flowers and leaves give off is as exciting as the smell of salt water air at the sea.

Did you know? In Japan today you could visit your doctor and get a prescription to take a walk in the woods if you are feeling stressed, sounds like a pretty sweet deal right? Mental health treatments like this Japanese example are part of a global trend that acknowledges that connecting with nature is a primal experience and a vital tool in humans disconnecting from the world and re-setting our programs.

Trees are amazing in more ways 
the obvious beauty they display.

Know locally in Japan as Shinrin-yoku, at first it sounds like some ancient form of wisdom and although it's roots began in Ancient Persian, this term was only coined only 30 years ago by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries to encourage more people to visit forests and make them aware of the very real health benefits from being immersed in nature. Today, around the world, the practice of Forest Bathing is gaining momentum as a very real way to help people from many walks of life better themselves mentally and physically.

In 2018 Doctor Qing Li, Chairman of the Japanese Society of Forest Medicine literally wrote the book on the subject, his 300 odd page "manual" Forest Bathing not only describes the research undertaken regards the theory but also methods of how to put it into practice. For those that don't have a hole heap of time (all of us right?) here is a summary below for what Forest Bathing is all about.

"Forest bathing is like a bridge, by opening our senses, it bridges the gap between us and the natural world." 

Firstly you will need to set aside adequate time, a few minutes isn't going to cut it, but whatever you can spare is a start. A 2019 Scientific report recommended 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with measurable health benefits. In Norway it is recommended 5 hours per month to reduce depression, addiction and suicide.

Once you have the time, you'll need the place. The nature you decide to visit doesn't need to be the Amazon Rainforest, let's start with a local park, somewhere close to home or work that is easily accessible, but most importantly somewhere you can feel relaxed. It's important that the park has natural elements such as trees and plants. Make sure you leave you distractions behind as the idea is to engage the senses and not worry about that work email.

"The key to unlocking the power of the forest is in the five sense. Let nature enter through your ears, eyes, nose, mouth, hands and feet."

Now you are in your relaxing setting what can you see? Is there are dense cover of vegetation, how well let/dark is it? What can you hear? Do the songs of birds drown out the noise of cars? It's important to take stock of your surroundings and how it makes you feel - can you notice a difference in temperature? Is there a specific tree or plant that has grabbed your attention? It is important to slow down and be present in the moment. 

Each subsequent visit you should challenge yourself to notice something different - a new plant, bird or fungi while you explore. Remember to take your time, it's not a race, stop every once in a while to notice the patterns on leaves or the smell of a crushed leaf. Taking your time will help engage your senses.

Serenity can come to us in various
ways. Bodies of water can increase 
the calming affect on humans.

While there is a touchy/feely element to all this, there are also very real and measurable positive affects that have been studied and published. For centuries both philosophers and poets have written about how nature can heal. Nature can inspire both art and literature with the feelings they evoke. Feelings are hard to quantify of course, differing from person to person, but surely the many positive feelings we gain from time in nature must be measurable right?

In his most famous paper American Professor of Healthcare Design Richard Ulrich wrote of the recovery time benefits of hospital rooms with views of trees outside. It was found that those patients who could see trees from their room recovered much quicker from abdominal surgery. Those who had no view of trees or nature from their beds stayed in hospital longer, requiring more medicine for pain relief and in some cases were more depressed during their recovery.

This is just one study of many focusing on how trees can benefit our health. There have been studies published that also strongly indicate the positive effects trees have on us after spending time in nature such as:

* Lowering Blood Pressure

* Lowering or Stress levels

* Improving Cardiovascular & Metabolic health

* Improving Memory & Concentration

* Lowering Depression

* Improving Pain Thresholds 

* Improving Energy levels

* Improving Immune System (including increasing the anti-cancer NK cells)

* Improving Sleep

Pretty amazing right?! And all from nature! But how do plants do all this? You may have a little pine tree air freshener hanging from your rear view mirror (or at least seen/smelt one), it releases a nice but manufactured forest smell in your car. This smell may also remind you of a hospital, where they also use chemicals derived from the toxins that Pine trees or Coniferous release to help protect themselves from attacks via insects, bacteria and fungi.

"When you walk in the forest, you are breathing in its healing power."

Air around forested areas is not only higher in oxygen but has a purifying affect, it certainly something our senses can detect. With each breath taken we are helping purify our bodies and helping ourselves to relax. This purifying system is driven by phytoncides which are natural oils with in a plant that hep defend their health (and help ours), they also help plants communicate with each other. The warmer it is the more of these natural oils will be present in the air. In the end a boosted immune system makes us happier.

By 2050, 75% of the projected 9 billion population will live in cities, this will put immense pressure on the way we live. "Technostress" was a term created in 1984 to describe the impact of unhealthy behaviour around new technology. Almost 40 years on this behaviour has become relentless, attributing to many mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and anger issues. The World Health Organisation has already identified stress as the epidemic of the 21st Century.

By re-engaging with nature we can start to tune out the "noise" of present day society. It will also help us tune in or re-set our senses. Ultimately this re-engagement will help with many of these more "modern" health issues. It is hoped that policy makers, town planners and communities will work towards incorporating many nature based solutions into designing city infrastructure and allowing adequate green space to be retained or created. 

I am certain you have felt a change while walking through areas with trees. Even if it's the cooling nature when walking down the street on a warm day. You may have been a walk in a park or forest and noticed how your body has slowed down, your senses tune in to plants or animals without thinking about it. It's these natural elements or bodies crave. Now you know a little a bit about why we feel this change and if you haven't really taken noticed it before, I hope you will look out for the sign's next time you make time for nature.

* All quotes above are taken from the Penguin Life book "into the forest" Dr Qing Li

OPERATION: Apfelbaum (Apple Tree)

A bit over 2 months ago I was asked by my Father-In-Law if I would like to prune his two apple tree's. Of course I said yes, why not? It's not like I haven't done this kind of thing before*. Given that there had been consecutive days with temperatures in the double digits (just) it was something I better get onto quickly, the new growth bud's were well on their way. In that last week or so I had noticed how many more plants were starting to put a lot of energy into their Spring 2022 campaign. 

* I haven't done this specific kind of thing before

Personally I was quite chuffed, this would be a great little project to do over a day. Early on it was difficult to fill my days with meaningful things, adjusting to my temporary new life in Germany. So I chose a nice warmish day that same week. It worked out well with my son at day care and my partner busy with work, so not to notice me make a fool of myself.

BEFORE: The Red Variety

BEFORE: Klar apfel (White Transparent)

The trees in question are two different varieties of apple, planted around 8 years ago. One is a red, late season unknow variety for eating. The other is an early "Klar Apfel" or White Transparent, being sweet and tart, much better for cooking. These trees were around 4.5-5m tall, so I would have to enlist the help of a ladder - Acrophobia be damned!

I do like a challenge, so after dropping my son off I got straight to work. Preparing myself, I took a few deep breaths, I paced around the trees. Armed with secateurs and loppers and a healthy dose of optimism I was ready, all these years of my partner talking up my horticultural skill to her parents it was my time to shine!

But before we see how I went, lets look at the theory behind why trees need maintenance pruning to manage productivity and longevity. The type of pruning you'll need will be based on the type/species of tree (fruiting or ornamental), it's age and position (park tree or street tree). In my case a fruiting trees can gets pruned fairly regularly. This can be annually or bi-annually, depending on species - as some fruit grows on new growth, some on older. The way it is maintained aims to produce a healthy tree that produces crop year after year (once mature enough).

Trees in parks are usually selected to be robust, long lived and provide shade for park goers, hopefully for many generations to come. Species/varieties are selected that may grow taller and broader, given that they will have more space to grow compared to orchard trees or those that line our streets. 

"Oh give me land, lots of land under 
starry skies above. Don't fence me in"

Park trees will generally have less maintenance after establishment, where the shape of the tree will require less uniformity. During the establishment phase, trees maybe under-pruned to avoid low branches so to enable recreational opportunity and will generally have a good root protection zone created to reduce the amount of pressure and soil compaction from foot traffic.

Street trees are a little different again. They generally need to be varieties that will live better in a modified environment. They will have to live along streets that may not allow adequate space to grow or at least have opportunity to retrofit hardscapes to allow more space. They will tend to be species that have naturally narrow habits or varieties chosen for this specific form (such as fastigiate varieties). 

An avenue of Plane Trees in Berlin

Trees selected for life along our streets will need to have not only an adequate or longer establishment period (a harsher environment) but also an ongoing maintenance period of at least one more growing season (>12 months). This will ensure tree branches can be lifted to an adequate clearance, not only for pedestrians but to create a clear eye line for motorists too.

Urban forestry infrastructure has come along way from digging a tree pit that may be 1m by 30cm and a metre deep for trees. This basically meant the tree was being potted up. We now have some fairly ingenious tree "vault" systems that allow not only adequate root growth but to also house services (electricity, water etc). 

These vaults aim to alleviate crowding without impeding growth. They may be expensive but when you compare it to the life long cost of maintenance and the possibility of failure it seems to be well worth the investment. The type of systems should be considered for every landscape project as it is easier (and cheaper) to have these installed at the start, again it all starts with planning.

Quercus robor Fastigiata - is an
upright, columnar form variety.

The main principles of tree pruning focus on maintenance and intervention. These principles emphasise reduction over removal. Trees obviously shouldn't be allowed to be removed without good reason, e.g. natural decline, pose a threat to property/person or storm damage. There should be adequate management from early on while in a nursery situation up until the end of the maintenance period, careful planning early on will go along way, not only to allow the tree to survive but to flourish. For this reason it is imperative that tree managers involve reputable nurseries that grow to specific tree standards, to help the success of their projects.

So what are the basics of tree maintenance? It's fairly straight forward but putting the time in early is the key. Firstly you want to undertake an overall assessment of the tree. Its physical appearance in relation to the environment around it as you may not be able to correct one without managing the other.

Generally the actions that need to be taken when pruning any tree will be:

* remove or reduce damaged or dead branches/limbs

* reduce or remove competing branching

* intervention to branches that are at angles greater than 45 degrees i.e. growing back towards the trunk

* reduce branch interaction, that is remove any branches that "cross paths"

* open the habitat to allow better air flow and reduce pest and disease occurrence 

* remove suckering stems in the case of grafted varieties

A general guide to pruning

For more specific projects, e.g. involving government agencies, the trees required may be subject to inspection and reporting, looking at some of the following points:

* free from pests and disease

* have adequate and uniform branching/symmetry 

* correct root crown depth (the position of planting in relation to where the trunk meets the roots)

* adequate stem taper (broader at the bottom, getting smaller towards the top)

* apical dominance (a single or dominant growing tip in place)

* self supporting (without the aid of stakes)

* Adequate root development such as root ball occupancy (container specimens) absence of root 

  issues such as "J" roots, girdling or being "pot" bound

The above points are principles good nurseries will incorporate into their best practice for tree production. If you can source a tree that has been given the best start, the chances of establishment and longer term success are increased. Best practice principles have been around for sometime not just in Australia but worldwide. 

In recent years Australia has adopted the Tree Stock Standard for Landscape Use (AS 2303:2018). The objective here is to provide a framework of criteria for not only those who grow trees but the planners, specifiers and end consumers. You can find more info here.

So how did I go you ask? For my first time undertaking pruning of fruit trees I think I did pretty well. Given the slightly late timing of the prune and the two different types of apples, I think the results as of today are as were expected. 

AFTER: The Red Apple Variety 

AFTER: The Klar apfel

The red variety has sprung back into leaf very nicely. Given it is a late season apple I wasn't expecting it to flower strongly, instead it has put it's energy into new growth. I am also not expecting it to produce  much fruit this season and I will recommend it gets thinned out again next winter, possibly taking the top out also to aid in better harvesting.

The Red Variety 12/05/2022

The Klar apfel 12/05/2022

The Klar apfel flowered pretty strongly after pruning, it has some small fruit developing, but given the amount of wood I removed, the yield will be significantly less this season. It has struggled putting on foliage so far, but given it's type I assume this will occur as the fruit matures. This one shouldn't be thinned out again for a few seasons, to allow more fruiting wood, but I will also recommend the top is reduced to help the ease of harvest in future seasons.

The Klar apfel 26.05.2022

The Red Variety 26.05.2022

So there you are, I had a go and I think you can too. I have always thought many areas of plant growing and management can be a bit of an educated trial and error process. As long as you get something out of it, learning, recreation or enjoyment for example, that's the main thing.

Don't be scared to try, if you are worried there is HEAPS of info online, plenty of YouTube tutorial videos and if you are visiting your local nursery ask the horticulturalist on duty, if they are anything like me they'll enjoy a chat about plants. Good luck!

From little things, Big things grow

 

At this very moment I am sitting in the sun, in a small village approximately 30km east of Berlin. The sun is a very cherished thing for the Eastern Europeans and you could almost compare the faces of locals to the spectacular blooms of the Sunflower, chasing the sun throughout the day. Even though it is only 8 degrees outside, the sun makes it both bearable and enjoyable outside.

From my spot in the garden I can see bulbiferous spring plants sending up their leaves to capture nourishment for the soon to arrive flowers, the first blooms spring to life on plants brave enough to shed their winter coats. Buds swell on tree branches and the first flowers are appearing on species such as Malus, Prunus and Pyrus.

Luckily I have a fairly large garden at my disposal, this very typical of the surrounding area, not a lot of high density building around here. But as a Sydney-sider, it's easy to struggle with limited space when you have a green thumb. Luckily we have had some forward thinking types who have provided open spaces such as urban and community gardens. The Germans also pioneered this in the late 19th century.

Professor Daniel Gottlob Moritz Schreber

German Physician Professor Schreber worked primarily with young children and adolescents. From 1844 he was the Director of the Leipzig Sanatorium. He became famous as an author, publishing multiple books and papers on raising children and the social consequences of urbanization during the start of the Industrial Revolution. His theories on how babies, toddlers and children should be raised were unorthodox and if proposed today he would suffer much backlash. Although at the time he was considered an authority on the matter.

What the professor did feel strongly about is the health benefits of outdoor physical activity for the nations youth, he saw this as a healthy relief for active children. He also advocated for playgrounds to be built outside of towns due to the limited space around houses. This idea led to what his name is now synonymous with, the Schrebergarten.

A typical Kleingarten setting in Germany

The Schrebergarten movement began posthumously, and the first documented garden was established by Leipzig school principal Ernst Hauschild in 1864 (Schreber died in 1861). These garden allotments began springing up all over German cities during the industrial revolution, providing a source of fresh fruit and vegetables for the less fortunate. It allowed entire families to work a piece of land and provide for themselves.

During the early 20th century, especially during the First and Second World Wars these Kleingarten (small garden allotments) became essential for food production and for survival, as many families struggled with food supply, poverty and malnutrition.

A Schrebergarten in Wenigerode

Today there are almost 1.4 million allotments in Germany, comprising of 833 garden "complexes" and covering around 470 square kilometres. If you spend some time travelling on the outskirts of larger towns and cities, especially on trains, you will pass many of these rambling community orientated gardens. At first you may no think much of them, on the outside, some look a little shabby campsite and you wonder if anyone lives there, garden gnomes perhaps? But once you get amongst them you soon realise that they do show off the individuality of the residents.

The surge in popularity of greenspaces, especially the need to connect to nature, exacerbated by the current pandemic has made urban and community gardening very much in vogue again for those who with limited space. This is also  the case with availability of the Schrebergarten allotments. If you are thinking of getting one, there's an almost 3 year wait list! Plus you'll be in line with approximately 12,000 others who want a little garden of their own.

Looking over the back fence

Of course, being Germany, there are rules! Garden allotment complexes will have a standard rule book, much like by-laws you might find if you are lucky enough to be involved in a strata scheme. Rules can vary from community to community but in general these "laws" will regulate your allotment in regards what you can grow, how far/close your fence can be from the shed, if you can BBQ and  what days and times you can mow your lawn.

But wait there's more Schrebergarten rules: your plot cannot be more than 400 square metres in size. The size of your shed on the allotment cannot be larger than 24 square metres and don't even thinking about residing in your shed. You may or may not be allowed to have chickens or a swing set on the property and your hedge may have to be kept to a certain size. Still want one?

For many decades there has been a stigma around those who keep and manage these small gardens. They have been thought of as being kooks, weirdo's, strict and stringent but it isn't the first time (and certainly not the last) gardening folk have been labelled peculiar. 

The trend is changing due to the younger families getting involved with these garden allotments. Schreber's vision and thoughts on urbanization have certainly rang true, with more and more people starved of the opportunity to have their own green space, hence the demand. The injection of "young blood" into these gardening communities will help drive and popularise it further in the coming decades.

We have all felt the struggle of the past 2 years and we are well aware of the measurable health benefits of connecting with the natural world, us humans have an almost primal urge to do so. The small garden allotment scheme isn't a new idea but it has helped drive other urban gardening policy and biophilic design principles being initiated in cities around the world today. 

Countless community gardens can be found all around the cities and towns you live near. You are sure to find information on line, via council websites or social media. Give it a go, immerse yourself, connect with nature and other like minded people - you'll feel the benefits almost straight away.

I'll Drink to That

 

Before I turned my hand at horticulture I wanted to be a writer (and for some reason a lawyer). As a child I would make up and write down many elaborate stories utilising the wilds of my imagination. I loved reading and still do to this day. I never quite made it to the best sellers lists but I do have my blog.

I also thought it would be a cool job to review music, movies and books. Didn't quite make it there either, but you know what? I am going to give it a try now. I recently read a very fascinating book called The Drunken Botanist written by Amy Stewart who is an award winning author who has written six books, all based on the wonderful world of plants.

Immediately this book appealed to me because it contains two of my favourite things - plants and alcohol. My thoughtful partner bought if for me as a gift and I was excited to get straight into it, the cover itself was enough for me to see what lies beneath.

Even the books conception is an interesting one: a couple of plant lovers (one of them the author) at a garden writers convention in Portland, Oregon who struck up a conversation about a bottle of gin, but honestly, how many great conversations and ideas have been conceived this way?

It seems that worldwide there's not a tree, shrub, fruit, flower, herb or vegetable that hasn't been harvested for use in an alcoholic beverage. You just have to think about the many wonderous flavours our plants give us for cooking to get an understanding of how far the influence of plants have had on society on a global scale.

The book reads like a cocktail recipe: one part 'how to' plant guide, one part cocktail recipe book and two parts fun facts about how the plants and booze came together. It is an easy to read book, introducing you to many basic concepts of cocktail making, the tools of the trade and it is separated into types of plants and how they influence alcohol production and flavouring.

The Drunken Botanist starts out by explaining the basic terms and definitions about all things cocktails, service sizes, mixers, equipment etc and then begins with the classic cocktails, more specifically the plants that have influenced these classic cocktails.

Of course brewing, fermenting & distilling practices aren't a new thing, these practices have gone on for thousands of years. It seems our forefathers needed a means to unwind and relax after a stressful day even back in the day. 

Throughout the pages of this book you will get a fairly concise history of how various forms of alcohol came to be, from the accidental to the laborious ways our favourite drinks came into being, such as the much loved (and sometimes loathed) Tequila.

Tequila is a very well know and popular spirit, by itself or in the classic Margarita. It has a very long history. It is made from several different types of Agave sp. the species can dictate what it's legally able to be called. Many people think of the desert and cacti when they think of Agave but they are more related to Asparagus.

As the popularity of Tequila has grown, the need for protecting the plants that produce this spirit, especially the species that create the more traditional and legally recognised varieties. By harvesting plants before maturation, in many cases it takes away the ability of the plant to reproduce, therefore diminishing the wild populations.

DID YOU KNOW? Much like Champagne can only be called as such if it's produced in that region, the Mezcal form of Tequila can only be called such if it is produced in the city of Oaxaca (and the neighbouring state of Guerrero), this is law in Mexico.

Grasses (Poaceae) are the fifth largest plant family and the most important economically wordwide. So it makes sense that they have such an influence in alcohol production. They are generally the base for fermentation in such popular drinks as beer, bourbon, gin, whiskey and Vodka. 

Plants such as Barley, Corn, Rice and Wheat are all significant players in the production of the worlds top selling types of booze. Aged Single Malt Whiskey and Gin have had a resurgence in the last few years, becoming a popular drink for the younger generation, no longer drinks for the stuffy, snooty upper class The former being so popular that reserves of aged whiskey are reducing quicker than they can be replenished, therefore pushing up the prices.

You only have to go to the hip city bars to see the confusing selection of alcohol that have been produced thanks to the mighty grass family of plants. 

Rum is another spirit, made from Sugar Cane, that has re-gained some popularity in recent times. For many years thought of as the drink choice for pirates and sea captains, it now has many variants that bind well with assorted mixers and cocktail recipes.

DID YOU KNOW? Rum was certainly the drink of choice for sailors. Prior to Rum, sailors with given beer but beer had a short shelf life and spoilt quickly on long voyages. Sailors were instead given one pint of rum per day, mostly consumed in one sitting! Great for morale, not so great if you wanted your crew to work. 

The Navy decided to dilute the rum ration and give the crew two rations per day. Sailors thought something was up and demanded proof that they were getting what they were entitled to. A method of mixing the rum with gun powder was developed - if the the concoction ignited, there was enough alcohol (approx. 57%) if not, well the navy would have a rebellion on it's hands! This is where we get the term 'proof' from when describing alcohol content.

Step right up! Long lines for the Rum rations

This book is also full of very interesting info regarding how plants influenced the navigation of colonies seeking and founding new lands and influencing trade structure and relations. Amy Stewart shows in many instances how plants are a never ending source of wonder, encouraging you to discover the next amazing piece of trivia throughout the book.

This book reads with seamless ease, with enough tips, recipes and plant facts to keep the pages turning. I assure you it won't take very long to get into this book. Within no time you'll start to appreciate and applaud the plant world for all the wonderful additions they have made to your liquor cabinet or how the local bar tender mixes your next drink. 

So if you're looking for a gift that that I think is a universal fit for most, especially the inspiring drink mixologist in your life, I suggest checking out The Drunken Botanist and maybe grab a copy for yourself, just add your favourite drink and enjoy!

Outside In

It's a Jungle in there

Over the last few years there has been an increase in the popularity of houseplants, not since the swinging 60's & 70's have indoor plants been so popular. A definite surge has occurred with the 20 and 30 somethings taking the leap and owning a plant.

Many factors have led to the increase in popularity. The obvious one is the jump in the social media influence and "influencers" online putting up posts about their new purchase or a carefully placed plant in the background to be noticed by all their adoring followers. 

Social media has also helped growers & plant breeders get their plants out and seen. Nurseries and plant re-sellers also have used online advertising to promote sales and creating events to drive the demand. Just add "collectors item" and watch those plant hunters come out.

The other more obvious reasons for the spike in demand is the size of living in the cities. Apartments are the only thing you seem to see being built, their availability and affordability make them attractive to Gen Y. The lack of a garden means both those with green thumbs and those who are looking to put some green amongst the grey have created a demand for house plants once again. 

All this said, I have absolutely no problems with this, it's great to see the interest in plant life grow (pun intended). Chuck in a global pandemic and people have had the best opportunity to spend more time doing something they love as well as becoming first time plant parents. 

So where do you start? Look there is a million and one platforms online that'll give you an overload of info. So what's the best advise? Check in with your local nursery (no, Bunnings doesn't count) and see what they have to offer. Horticulturalists are great people, passionate and always up for a chat about plants. See what's out there and look for solid, easy to understand advise if you're a beginner.

If you're an old hand at this, look for these so called "collectors items" or the new school plants that are bred to be a bit different (foliage colour/shape, pest resistance) to add tot he collection.

Having lived in apartments the last few years I have tried my hand an indoor plants with some good results. So here are a few old school (and a couple of new kids on the block) plants that have worked well for me and would be a good starting point.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.):

These are a staple of many a home or office, not a rare plant by any means but a worthy choice for the beginner. There are a few different species in the market and in more recent times a few new varieties bred for hardiness and flower production. Leaves & flowers can vary in size. 

Flowering can also vary depending on the variety. It prefers a protected, well lit spot and likes humidity. So mist the leaves with a spray bottle in between watering the soil. Foliar feeds (liquid fertilisers) van be given the same way.

The Peace Lily also grew in celebrity status after the 1989 NASA research into the best plants species for purifying the air. It was found that Spathiphylum, in particular the 'Mauna Loa' variety, was the best at breathing in and taking out nasty chemicals from the air.

A peaceful demonstration 

Devil's Ivy/Pothos (Epiremnum aureum):

This is also a certified Nanna's plant and was displayed with pride just like Grandma's best china. It's a climber native to the French Polynesia area where it normally would scramble up a tree trunk for support via it's aerial root system. This is why it's good to give this guy some support in the form of a bark or coir totem pole. Also works well in hanging baskets and will tolerate very low levels of light

Epipremnum is pretty easy to propagate by cuttings, so if you have a friend with one ask nicely for some cuttings. If you can, get a piece that already has some aerial roots forming.

 It also was tested well with air purification in NASA's study. A word of warning, the leaves and stems of Devils's Ivy can be toxic to cats and dogs, so please consider this before purchasing.

The devil is in the detail

Flamingo Flower (Anthurium andraenum):

Another old school favourite that never really went away. This glossy, heart shaped leaf plant from Colombia and Ecuador has a striking red heart spathe (flower petal) with a distinctive elongated white/yellow inflorescence .

The flamingo flower has been a staple of florists and indoor nurseries for decades as it's popularity has never really ever waivered. It prefers a warm but shady position and like the peace lily, enjoys humidity, which helps with it flowering. 

It is a recipient of Britain's Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, it's also listed on NASA's list of best air purifying plants and is also toxic to all mammals (multiple themes developing here), so let common sense prevail before throwing the leaves in your next salad.

Syngonium podophyllum 'White Butterfly':

This dainty, clumping foliage plant with arrow shaped leaves, lending to it's common name the Arrowhead Plant. There are many forms of S. podophyllum, ranging in varying leaf size and colour patterns. It's native to a wide range of Latin America, so it does prefer a warmer spot and works well in varying light indoors.

The leaves of 'White Butterfly" generally have distinct leaf patterns with noticeable "veins" which add to it's character. The amount of light can affect leaf variation, in lighter positions the leaf can hold it's lighter, almost white colour better. In darker spots the leaves are generally greener. It is a semi-trailing plant so it can also work well in taller pots or hanging baskets where it's allowed to cascade. 

Syngonium podophyllum 'White Butterfly'

Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis sp.):

Doesn't look like a cactus but a pretty easy going and cool plant none the less, once you look a bit closer you'll see how it fits in the cactus family. Another South American native, it also occurs in Central America, Florida and the tropical areas of India and Sri Lanka. They are the only group of cactus to be found outside the New World. The increase of trade between countries helped them spread (as did birds who like the berries).

Rhipsalis is a genus of epiphytic cactus, that is they generally don't rely on soil as most plants to get their water and food but via the atmosphere around them. This means it is important to plant them using a media such as orchid bark to stabilise the plant and use a spray bottle to mist the plant.

Given that most species of Rhipsalis grow with a pendulous or sprawling habit, they work well in taller, tapered pots and hanging baskets. It'll enjoy a warmer, well lit spot, such as a window sill or outside on a balcony.

Rhipsalis sp.

Zanzibar Gem (Zamioculus zalmiofolia):

This tropical plant, native to several areas of Africa, burst onto the plant scene in Australia about two decades ago and was branded as the bullet proof plant that all the "brown" thumbs could keep alive no sweat. It derives its name to the similarity it's foliage structure/shape has to plants in the Cycad and Zamia families.

Dutch production nurseries began to mass produce the Zanzibar Gem in 1996 and it didn't take long to spread across the globe along with it's popularity with plant collectors. It is just as popular today due to it's ease of care, it structural habit and glossy, succulent stems and leaves. Leaves rise up from a strong underground rhizome,

Leaves reach about 50-60cm long and form clumps as the plant develops. Their leaves are made up of 90% water and is a reason why they can survive long periods of dry. Zamioculus will become deciduous when in drought, shedding it's leaves and storing moisture in the underground rhizomes.

Over watering is the most common reason for declining plant quality, so find a bright spot in the home, out of direct light and water sparingly.

A real gem in the home

Some other  old school favourites are listed below.

Top Left: Mixed succulent & cactus planters for those with a sunny, warm spot. Top Right: Mother in Law's Tongue (Sansevieria sp. also now know as Dracaena sp.).

Middle Left: Spider or Ribbon Plant (Chlorophytum comosum). Middle Right: Ferns are great for a darker space with no direct light. Try the Boston or Fishbone Ferns or natives such as Birds Nest or Maiden Hair Fern.

Bottom Left: The tough and structural Dracaena marginata looks great in a pot. Bottom Right: Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) as the name suggests is a tough bugger.

It's great to see so many people dip their toes into the world of indoor gardening, it's the kind of panic buying that I'd like to see continuing, who needs toilet paper when you have leaves?! 

A few things to remember before buying your first house plant. There isn't really such a thing as an indoor plant, they all happily grow outdoors in different parts of the world, us humans just try to alter their lifestyles to suit ours.

So when researching your next plant purchase for your house, look at where they normally grow in the world, 9/10 times it will be somewhere tropical with high humidity and high rainfall. So with this in mind find spots in the house that mimic this or can be adapted to provide these requirements. A well lit bathroom is ideal for many of the plants listed above.

Don't over water, in most cases plants will be fine if left to dry out slightly between watering. So observe and act when required. Use saucers to limit spills and stains on your flooring. A good idea is to put a layer of pebbles or gravel under the pot (in the saucer) so the roots don't sit in water and it also helps create humidity.

Fertilise sparingly, unless it's a plant that flowers often. Use a specific houseplant fertilise at the rate suggested, these are usually formulated with higher nutrients to promote leafy growth and for plants in low light situations. Fertilisers can also be applied my misting the leaves with a spray bottle at a more diluted rate.

Wash their hands! I mean leaves, if we have learnt anything from COVID-19 it is that hygiene is very important, even for plants. Plants breathe through their leaves and if they get dirty and dusty it can cause poor transpiration rates and lead to poor plant health. Clean them regularly either with a damp cloth or using a horticultural spray, these sprays add shine to your plants leaves and also protection from nasty pests.

Now that you are giving a plant protection from the elements and warm, pests will find that inviting too. Leafy plants make ideal hiding spots for insects such as scale, aphids and mealy bug. So when your cleaning the leaves, dig a bit deeper and keep an eye out for these pests - it doesn't take long for them to build up in numbers. Remove by hand if possible or use a natural or eco-friendly chemical to manage these pesky buggers.

The health benefits of having plants is amazing. Not only does it give one a sense of nurturing by giving you a sense of purpose and responsibility to a life, there are also numerous health benefits to gardening. Aside from the physical benefits that are more tied to outdoor gardening, the mental health and not so seen or felt physical benefits to indoor gardening are just as rewarding and important.

So while things are getting back to normal, many of us are still working from home, if your office at work is green, why not bring some of that "normality" to your home office. If not, what a great time to start improving your plant/life balance. 

The new normal may just mean that you have to become that "crazy plant person"!