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Shrubs/Trees Abutilon Acalypha (leaves) Ardisia (berries) Azaleas Bauhinia Bougainvilleas Brugsmansia Brunsfelsia Buddleia (B) Calliandra Callistemon Camellia Dombeya cacuminum (B) Dombeya calantha (B) Dombeya ianthrotricha Eranthemum Erimophila Erythrina Euphorbia Cotinifolia (leaf) Euphorbia millii Grevilleas Hardenbergia Hibiscus Justicia Adhatoda (B) Liquidamber formosana (B) Megakepasma Michelia doltsopa Pycnostachys urticifolia Rondeletia Roses (B) Ruellia macrantha Schaueria flavicoma Senecio petasitis (B) Spiraea cantoniensis Strelizia Strobilanthes Goldfussia Teucrium fruticans Thryptomene Tibouchina Westringia Xanthostemon(golden penda) (B) loved by Bees |
Perennials Aloes Angelonia Anthurium Argyranthemum Daisies Brillantasia (Giant Sage) Coleus Crassula Dianthus Euphorbia ‘Diamond frost’ Gerberas Heliotrope Justicia brandegeana Kalanchoe Lavender Limonium perezii Nasturtium (B) Osteospernum Daisies Otacanthus Pachystachys Pelargoniums Pentas Plectranthus Polygala Porphyrocoma pohliana Reinwardtia indica Rosemary Ruellia Russellia Salvias Scutellaria Statice VINES Cobaea scandens Dalechampia roezliana Maurandya Pyrostegia venusta Thunbergia mysorensis |
Orchids Angraecum Cattleya Cymbidium Dendrobiums Native Dendrobiums Softcane Epidendrum Phalaenopsis Vandas Zygopetalums Bromeliads Aechmea Billbergia Guzmania Hohenbergia Tillandsia Neoregelia Quesnelia Vriesia Bulbs Anemones Chasmanthe Clivea nobilis Cyrtanthus/Ifafa lily Hyacinth Iris Ornithagollum Scadoxus |
MEDINILLA MAGNIFICA
DOMBEYA CACUMINUM
SCADOXUS
WHAT IS FEATURING IN THE GARDEN IN AUGUST:
The nights are still cool but the days are warm if there is no wind. Wind is more drying than the sun so it is important to mulch to try to keep as much moisture in the soil as our spring is usually dry.
MEDINILLAS
Medinillas are tropical shrubs that come from the Philippines. They are epiphytic and in their natural habitat they grow, in the holes and forks of trees. The stems of the plants are very square. The leaves are very fleshy as they hold onto and store moisture similar to other epiphytic plants. In late spring to early summer, the plant is covered in drooping clusters of delicate pink flowers that look like grapes.
Medinillas need a warm and humid environment to survive. They cannot tolerate temperatures below 10 C. and prefer warm days in high, but filtered light and cooler nights in the 16 to 21 C. Cooler nights help the plant to send out more flowers. Wetter in summer and drier in winter just like orchids. If potting them use an orchid bark and use terracotta or ceramic pots.
Like all epiphytes I find that they do prefer to have a lot of air movement, so they are best in a sheltered position outside rather than in a shade house. If in a pot, keep it just big enough for the roots and good drainage is essential.
MEDINILLA magnifica is the most striking of them all but is not very hardy. It can be grown in a pot in a sheltered position and will not tolerate temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. I grow mine in pots in the wisteria/orchid courtyard.
MEDINILLA multiflora (nee myriantha) is very similar to magnifica except that it has a smaller leaf, flower and smaller overall and does not have the bright coloured bracts that magnifica does. However, it is a lot hardier and grows quite happily in a shaded position in the garden where it will scramble over rocks and plants. Because it does not need soil it is ideal amongst palms as long as it gets good humidity and misting in dry times.
MEDINILLA dolichophylla (Chandelier Plant) is quite different as it is taller; to 2 metres and has longer oval dark leaves, that are still fleshy. The flowers are grape like in pale pink and are profuse.
Propagation is by soft stem cuttings; cut just below a node and bury the node in fine orchid bark. Propagation is best done early spring or summer when the plants are in new growth. Keep the cutting in a shaded warm position and moist.
TRIM AND TIDY UP TROPICALS
Once the coldest weather has passed, we can start tidying up the tropicals, such as Gingers, Costas, Heliconias, Thalias, Calatheas, Marantas, Allamandas, Brazilian cloak, Mussaendas and Poinsettias. The Poinsettias can be cut back as soon as they have finished flowering and all can be nourished with some mulch. With the gingers and heliconias, only cut the stems which have ‘yellowed’ and the old stems that have ‘spent’ ends. Leave all the juvenile canes intact as these will give the clump a good start for summer flowers. This is also a good time to divide them if the clump has got too big for their area or are too ‘congested’.
VEGETABLES sown in winter are coming on nicely and being encouraged by the compost tea which I dilute 1:4 with water. Seeds of lettuce and pak choy have been sown and talk about instant germination, they were visible after a matter of days. I am keeping the water up to the vegetables as this ensures tenderness with constant growth.
Plant beans and snow peas as this will add nitrogen to the soil and will give you pickings over spring. Sweet Corn kernels can also be planted. Plant them in a block of 4 rows at least as they are wind pollinated. I have also planted seedlings of Kale and Ruby Chard as this looks great and is also great for picking leaves as you want them.
ORCHIDS
There are many native orchids that we can grow here in our gardens. The most popular is Dendrobium speciosum or the Rock Orchid. Most of our native orchids will have spikes now and you need to watch carefully as some don’t flower for very long and you can miss the display. I grow Dendrobium speciosum on rocks in part shade in the rainforest area where they have survived for many years. Once the flowers have gone new leaves will be produced from which next years flower spikes will come. Keep a sharp eye out for the Dendrobium beetle as they love these new leaves.
Good Gardening
Jan
MEDINILLAS
Medinillas are tropical shrubs that come from the Philippines. They are epiphytic and in their natural habitat they grow, in the holes and forks of trees. The stems of the plants are very square. The leaves are very fleshy as they hold onto and store moisture similar to other epiphytic plants. In late spring to early summer, the plant is covered in drooping clusters of delicate pink flowers that look like grapes.
Medinillas need a warm and humid environment to survive. They cannot tolerate temperatures below 10 C. and prefer warm days in high, but filtered light and cooler nights in the 16 to 21 C. Cooler nights help the plant to send out more flowers. Wetter in summer and drier in winter just like orchids. If potting them use an orchid bark and use terracotta or ceramic pots.
Like all epiphytes I find that they do prefer to have a lot of air movement, so they are best in a sheltered position outside rather than in a shade house. If in a pot, keep it just big enough for the roots and good drainage is essential.
MEDINILLA magnifica is the most striking of them all but is not very hardy. It can be grown in a pot in a sheltered position and will not tolerate temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. I grow mine in pots in the wisteria/orchid courtyard.
MEDINILLA multiflora (nee myriantha) is very similar to magnifica except that it has a smaller leaf, flower and smaller overall and does not have the bright coloured bracts that magnifica does. However, it is a lot hardier and grows quite happily in a shaded position in the garden where it will scramble over rocks and plants. Because it does not need soil it is ideal amongst palms as long as it gets good humidity and misting in dry times.
MEDINILLA dolichophylla (Chandelier Plant) is quite different as it is taller; to 2 metres and has longer oval dark leaves, that are still fleshy. The flowers are grape like in pale pink and are profuse.
Propagation is by soft stem cuttings; cut just below a node and bury the node in fine orchid bark. Propagation is best done early spring or summer when the plants are in new growth. Keep the cutting in a shaded warm position and moist.
TRIM AND TIDY UP TROPICALS
Once the coldest weather has passed, we can start tidying up the tropicals, such as Gingers, Costas, Heliconias, Thalias, Calatheas, Marantas, Allamandas, Brazilian cloak, Mussaendas and Poinsettias. The Poinsettias can be cut back as soon as they have finished flowering and all can be nourished with some mulch. With the gingers and heliconias, only cut the stems which have ‘yellowed’ and the old stems that have ‘spent’ ends. Leave all the juvenile canes intact as these will give the clump a good start for summer flowers. This is also a good time to divide them if the clump has got too big for their area or are too ‘congested’.
VEGETABLES sown in winter are coming on nicely and being encouraged by the compost tea which I dilute 1:4 with water. Seeds of lettuce and pak choy have been sown and talk about instant germination, they were visible after a matter of days. I am keeping the water up to the vegetables as this ensures tenderness with constant growth.
Plant beans and snow peas as this will add nitrogen to the soil and will give you pickings over spring. Sweet Corn kernels can also be planted. Plant them in a block of 4 rows at least as they are wind pollinated. I have also planted seedlings of Kale and Ruby Chard as this looks great and is also great for picking leaves as you want them.
ORCHIDS
There are many native orchids that we can grow here in our gardens. The most popular is Dendrobium speciosum or the Rock Orchid. Most of our native orchids will have spikes now and you need to watch carefully as some don’t flower for very long and you can miss the display. I grow Dendrobium speciosum on rocks in part shade in the rainforest area where they have survived for many years. Once the flowers have gone new leaves will be produced from which next years flower spikes will come. Keep a sharp eye out for the Dendrobium beetle as they love these new leaves.
Good Gardening
Jan
THIS MONTH
IN THE GARDEN
with Jan
AUGUST
IN THE GARDEN
with Jan
AUGUST
DENDROBIUM gracilcaule ORCHID
SENECIO PETASITIS
CYMBIDIUM orchid
Let nature be your guide
DENDROBIUM speciosum
