Bamboo Sale at The Niche.

Haven't posted since October so it's time for an update. I've decided to have a sale of bamboo plants as they are looking good at this time of year. A list of plants & prices follows, updated as plants sell:-

Clumping types

Timor Black (Bambusa lako)

 

Slow-growing variety suited to a warm sunny position.

Canes are a deep chocolate brown with an occasional thin green stripe. Grows to 5m height in this area.

300mm pots $55

2 only.

Alphonse Karr (Bambusa multiplex variety)

Attractive gold & green striped variety suited to screening applications.

Will reach 3 to 4m in sunny locations with a bushy habit; more upright with taller growth when grown in part shade. Fast growing, cold tolerant. Divisions from an adult clump, 2 - 3m tall.

400mm pots $65

1 available

 

Golden Goddess (Bambusa multiplex variety)

 

Arching thin gold canes to 4m with ferny leaves; suitable for screening. Can be held upright in narrow areas with a string or wire. Fast growing, cold tolerant, full to half day sun.

300mm pots $45

 1 available.

 

Luscious (Fargesia nitida cv.)

Fine leaved cold tolerant variety for screening in sun or shade; ideal for planting on the escarpment where hours of sun are reduced or under trees. Popular in southern states but rarely encountered on the NSW coast. Thin canes to 3 or 4m; selected for greater heat tolerance. Pictured is a sun-grown stock plant before division.

250mm pots $35

11 plants in stock

Available late March.

 

Fortune (Fargesia nitida cv.)

 

Above description applies; this is another selected form of F. nitida, not to be confused with Pleioblastus fortunei, a running species.

Growing rapidly at present.

200mm pots $22

17 available.

Update: repotted into 250mm pots $35 each.

 

Nepalese Blue (Himalayacalamus porcatus)

 

Cold tolerant fine leaved species to 5m, good for morning sun or shady areas; dislikes hot conditions. New growths have a blueish look. Thin canes, good for screening; throwing new growth at present. 8-12 canes / pot.

300mm pots $50

 1 available.

 

Himalayan Weeping (Drepanostachyum falcatum)

As above growing to 3m height with green canes.

300mm pots $40

Available late March.

 

Thai Monastery (Thyrostachys siamensis)

Tight clumping form with most foliage on the upper section, giving an umbrella-like habit. Ideal as a feature specimen for shade in the garden; put a table & chairs underneath, or use as a second storey blockout. Sunny position, to 6m height; fine leaves.

500mm pot $85

1 only. SOLD

 

Kemmei (Bambusa ventricosa var kemmei)

 

Fast growing lesser Buddhas' Belly without the swellings, plus green & gold striped canes.

Throws long arching new growths; height to 7m. Suited to tunnel mazes, living arches, animal shelter or a clipped hedge where both sides are accessible.

300mm pots $35

 5 available.

400mm pots $45

2 available.

 

Giant Buddhas' Belly (Bambusa vulgaris var. Wamin)

Famous for the swollen internodal sections that give this plant its common name. Thick canes to 7 or 8m height with a slight curve; medium leaves. Excellent feature or taller screening variety where space allows.

400mm pots $55

2 available. SOLD

 

Giant Timber Bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii)

Very tall upright habit with medium growths to 10m. This plant is a single large cane that can be used as a feature or a tall narrow screen.

500mm pot $100

1only. SOLD

 

Malay Dwarf (Bambusa heterostachya)

Good screening plant to 6m with medium green canes & leaves. Bushy mostly upright habit. Likes full to half day sun, warmish position. Mature division.

400mm pot $65

1 only. SOLD

 

Malay Dwarf Variegated.

Smaller growing form to 2.5m with white striped leaves & thinner canes, quite different to the above plant. Slow growth & bushy habit, often used for a clipped hedge. Warm position.

300mm pots $45

2 only.

 

Indonesian Giant (Dendrocalamus asper)

A large grower with broad leaves, & canes covered in white powder, to 8m height.

Prized for both its appearance & tasty new shoots. Young plants. This form is from Indonesia.

250mm pots $25

 10 available. SOLD

 

Abyssinian Bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica)

Newer variety from Africa that tolerates drier sandy soils & drought once established. As yet untried but growing well, should reach around 6m. Foliage is held on the upper sections of the canes. Young plants.

250mm pots $25

12 available. SOLD

 

Running types

Plant in pots & planters only; if ground planted they will become a nuisance both to you & your neighbours!!!

Divide every 2 years for best results, & feed in the growing season.

 

Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra)

The best grower in our climate, cold tolerant, to 5m in large planters. Stems gradually change from green to black with maturity & sun exposure. The most common black species. 

300mm pots $35

3 available  SOLD

400mm pots $50

2 available

500mm pots $70

2 available.

 

Ruscus Bamboo (Shibataea kumasaca)

Beautiful small growing species to 1m high; treated as a clumper in cold climates but not here in the Illawara! Can brown at the leaf tips if too dry; cut back the old growth as new shoots emerge to ensure an attractive appearance. It took me 10 years to obtain this plant, & cost $70 in a 250mm pot.

300mm pots $25

8 available.

 

Bamboo-like plants

Tiger grass (Thysanolaena maxima)

Popular fast growing screen or specimen 2 to 3 m tall with large leaves.

Good for a damp spot; loves water. Nice sized plants.

250mm pots $25

10 available

300mm pots $30

 2 available

Advanced 300mm pots $40.

2 available. 

 

 

 Malay Pygmy Bamboo (Pogonantherum paniceum)

 

Taller growing form of Baby Panda Bamboo, really a species of grass. Does well in the local area with morning or part sun; to 0.6m height.

200mm pots $10

10 available. SOLD

Ready late March.

 

Sugar cane (Saccharum sp.)

Three forms available: common, red & the rarely seen black. Likes water & sun.  Young plants growing rapidly. Makes an excellent fast-growing screen to 3m; clumping habit.

200mm pots $12 to $20

common:- 2 available

red:- SOLD

black:- 5 only.

300mm pots common $35

2 only.

 

Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

Popular clumping palm with bamboo-like canes to 3m height. Use indoor or outside in morning or dappled sun for best appearance.

300mm pots $45

6 only.

 

Golden cane palms (Dypsis lutescens)

 

300mm pots $60.

 

Ring for further information

Ph 041 531 3258.

Thanks,

Russell,

The Niche Nursery,

4/368 Lawrence Hargrave Drive

Thirroul.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Frenzy In The Front Yard.

 

One of the propagation techniques I hit on some years ago was to collect seeds from plants of interest while bushwalking, then sow them simply by dropping them into an appropriate spot in the garden where conditions would likely favour their germination. Very handy when you have too many seed samples & not enough time.

One such sowing back in the '90s resulted in this small tree, Guioa semiglauca, a local species found in dry rainforest & other habitats, including regrowth:-

 

The seed was probably collected at Bulli Grevillea Park where this species is common, & thrown into the dwarf Brunsfelsia  at  its' base. This spot is dry, similar to the collection site; the garbage bins give an indication of size. Guioa is fairly unremarkable; the plants' placement makes a good screen for the houses behind, & was left for this reason & as a seed source for local dispersal.

 

Last week I was watering the front garden & noticed the tree was in flower; not just in flower but covered in tiny cream blooms. Next I noticed the sound; a low hum of insect activity emanated from the tree. The whole plant was a frenzy of bees & hoverflies:-

 

 

Both insects can be seen in this shot, the bee to the left of centre, the hoverfly at top slightly to the right. Bees are well known to most people, but what of the hoverfly?

 

 

These insects are wasp-like predators that fly like helicopters, able to hover on the spot & change direction rapidly. They appear to be nectar feeders as adults, but the larvae feast on aphid colonies. Mature adults can be spotted cruising around the garden, going from plant to plant, seeking out aphid infestations. Once located, a single egg is laid in close proximity to the aphid colony, then the adult flies off to repeat the process, ensuring each larva has its' own food supply & your garden has less pests.

 

So let's thank the Guioa for putting on such a good feed for our little garden predators. Its' worth has certainly increased in my estimation!

 

Russell.  

 

 

 



 





September Update.

 

Nothing in particular to concentrate on so I thought I'd look at a few things covered previously & how they'd progressed:-

 

 

Needle- leaved Mintbush (Prostanthera sp.). The finished product, repotted, pruned & flowering.

 

 

Previous posting in "Potting Mixes & Repotting".

 

 

One of these divisions (above) took out the Guzmania / Vriesea section in Illawarra Bromeliad Society show. The plant is Vriesea ospinae  var. gruberi, grown by Rena Wainwright.

 



 

Hippeastrum aulicum seed pod removed from the parent ready for collection. The flower is pictured in the first posting.

 

 

Paper bags are great for holding seed as it releases from the pod, allowing the pod & stem to dry without promoting rots & mould.

 

Pachypodium saundersii beginning growth for the season, having overcome the previous attack of rot:-

 

 

Now for a few new things at the nursery:-

 

 

Cyathea brownii from Norfolk Island unfurling new fronds after potting. This is a real giant; compare the spacing of the leaf bases to the Dicksonia on the left:-

 

 

Rarely available at this size; priced from $70 to $140. 

 

 

Advanced grafted flowering gums in 300mm pots. These will make great Xmas gifts. Four types to choose from, Dwarf Crimson, Dwarf Orange, Summer Beauty & Summer Red. $120 each.

 

 

Two large pink Frangipanis recently potted.

 

 

Fresh divisions of Striped Lesser Buddhas' Belly Bamboo (Bambusa Ventricosa Kimmii). Note that most foliage has been removed. Some canes have burned with exposure to the sun after removal from the shade provided by the original clump.

 

 

Locally- grown herbs, $3.50 each or 3 for $10.

 

 

Nice Rhubarb plants, $12 each. The Grevilleas are Pink Surprise.

 

 

Cryptanthus bromeliads. Been collecting quite a few of these little gems for future division & sale, particularly the striped forms. They enjoy high humidity & can be grown successfully at ground level.

 

Hope you are enjoying the Spring weather,

Russell. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coarse Sand is Horticultural Gold.

Coarse sand is one of the most useful materials I know of for plant propagation & growing media; these days it is one of the hardest to obtain for horticultural enthusiasts:-

 So, what is it?

This sand (pictured above) is typical of what I'm after. In terms of size the grains range from roughly 2 to 5mm diameter, with the majority falling toward smaller particles.

The illustrated material has been mined from a natural source, river sediment, so in this instance contains some fine sand & silt, along with a fair bit of small pebble. It consists mostly of quartz, silicon dioxide, with a few impurities adding colour to the rock. Suitable sands may be pure white, especially if created by crushing quartz; yellow or greyish colours are also common, depending on the chemical make-up of the parent rock. The most important component is a high quartz content.

Propagating sand, horticultural sand, sharp sand, quartz sand & coarse sand are all interchangeable terms that describe the subject material. When I was a kid this would also be described as aquarium gravel, back in the days before under-gravel filters.

Compare the above photo with the widely-available river sand pictured below:-

 

 

Note the small particle size compared to the coarse sand. When added to potting mix fine sand tends to fill in air pockets that contribute to drainage, increasing water retention and decreasing aeration of the root zone. Water is held on the surface of each sand grain; with so many particles this makes a fair contribution to water-holding capacity. There is also the compaction factor, with sand-rich mixes quickly becoming brick-like in consistency. Once dry, sandy mixes are hard to rehydrate; water often wets the top of the mix then runs down between root ball & pot, with little infiltration where it's needed. This hydrophobic property is common with sandy soils & requires application of a wetting agent to restore adequate soil moisture for plant growth.

Succulent mix is pictured below:-
 

'

This was made up with:

 

                       *60 litres of Martins Garden Mix



*15 litres of coarse river sand

*10 litres of p500 grade perlite

*3 litres of pelletised chicken manure

*1 handful of garden lime

*1 handful of blood & bone

*1double handful of crushed basalt (blue metal dust)

 

The above potting mix can also be used for cacti, but I usually add extra coarse sand &/or perlite to increase drainage based on feel & appearance, just like an experienced cook. My cactus mix is also a bonsai mix due to its' rapid drainage.

 

A general carnivorous plant mix suitable for Sarracenia & Drosera is pictured below:-

 

 

This is made up of:-

*2 parts premium grade spaghnum peat moss

*1 part p500 perlite

*1 part coarse sand

 

The coarse sand must be well washed with all dirt & silt removed as these contain nutrients; carnivores generally grow in poor soils & will not perform if the medium is rich.

 

I have used a similar mix to the one above to strike Camellia cuttings, adding extra perlite.

 

Coarse sand is great for striking many plants on its' own, including orchid canes & bulbs, Cordylines, cane Begonias,

Pelargoniums, shrub cuttings in general & in particular any plant with succulent properties:- 

 

 

The picture above shows Pedilanthus cuttings planted last spring , emptied out of a community pot ready for potting up into single pots.

Here washed coarse sand has been used as a sterile top dressing for a native violet cultivar to help arrest rotting during our humid summer:- 

 

Many of the smaller native violet cultivars come from cooler less-humid climates & are prone to die back during hot sticky weather; a topping of coarse sand reduces soil splash and resultant leaf-spotting. Note the original plant in the pots' centre, now dead, & the healthy new growth remaining.

 

I find this technique is useful with Kangaroo Paw.

 

UPDATE

 

Seedlings For Sale at The Niche.

 

Vegetable & flower seedlings will be in stock during September till mid-October, possibly longer if in demand.

Herbs available, most commonly-used varieties.

AT BARGAIN PRICES!!!!!!!!!!!

Herbs:-  $3.50 or 3 for $10

Punnets:-  $3.75

Single pots (tomatoes, capsicum etc.):-  $3.50 

 

Locally grown outdoors.

 

Spring Blossoms For A Warm Climate.

 

 

Many people try to grow flowering cherries, particularly the weeping standard type, in our warmer climate with limited success; they rarely perform to their utmost in terms of growth & flowering. Think of those lovely pictures showing plants in full bloom, taken in cooler climates; very unlikely unless your plant is in a hollow, or open frosty area that chills during winter.

My two favourite flowering deciduous shrubs that perform well around the Illawarra are Flowering Quince, (Chaenomeles), & Magnolias (Magnolia).

The first four photos are of a Flowering Quince shrub in the main street of Appin that has been blooming for around a month:-

Close-up of the flowers

 

 

The shrub below is on the southern side of the old Bulli Council Chambers:-

 Note that this plant carries more foliage than the Appin specimen, probably a result of the warmer Bulli climate.

 

White- flowered Quince in Wollongong Botanic Garden:-

 

Pink-tinged cultivar 'Apple Blossom' as a pot plant:-

 

There appear to be two forms or species involved in the locally-grown plants; one produces an elongated leathery textured fruit that turns yellowish as it ripens, along with wizening of the skin. The other variety has a more rounded fruit with a smooth skin that turns reddish with ripening. Both can be propagated from seed.

Some individuals set seed fairly easily, probably due to their capacity for self- pollination, while other plants seem more reluctant. Root propagation is one option with a high success rate but the problem of limited material.

 

The deciduous Magnolias are a signpost for winters' departure & the arrival of spring:- 

Magnolia hybrid 'Vulcan'; one of the best, opening crimson then becoming more pink with age:-

 

 

Magnolia liliiflora 'nigra' is usually encountered in plantings that took place during the  1940s' to mid 1960s', from the days when they were propagated by layering of the lower branches; this made them scarce & expensive. 

 Colour is darkest on opening, lightening with age; contrast in flower colour between interior & exterior becomes more pronounced as the flower matures.

 

The above-pictured plant is over 50 years old, typical for the period; it has been heavily pruned at least 4 times during this period & is still growing strongly.

Magnolia X soulangeana was more commonly grown in the 1960s' & 1970s', mostly propagated from cuttings. Recognise these plants from their white flowers shaded with lilac-pink toward the petals' base:- 

 

One of the newer soulangeana-type plants that have become available in more recent years; this one appears to have Magnolia campbellii in its' parentage, & may even be that species:-

 

That's all for now,

Russell,

The Niche Nursery,

Thirroul.