DFB's Greenthumb Project

[DFB FGXR6]

Ginkgo biloba or the Maidenhair tree.



This is another Autumn favorite of mine, I love the bright yellow foliage at this time of the year. These are slow growing and long lived deciduous tress to about 9 mt in height. Ginkgo trees need rich soil and plenty of water during summer to thrive.

[DFB FGXR6]

This little plant caught my eye today, the flowers standing out like a beacon.



Dianthus Waterloo Sunset is a beautiful variety of Carnation. These are low maintenance plants that feature grey foliage that provides a colour contrast in the garden. Their compact nature mean they are also a great potted plant too. The main reason for growing them though is the heavily scented flowers produced in Autumn, late Winter and Spring.

[DFB FGXR6]

With one of my clients having an active bee hive, controlling insects requires a different approach.

For example, if a rose bush is infested with aphids I would normally reach for something like Confidor or Trifend, however both of these are not particularly friendly to bees.

So with that in mind, I have been mixing 2.5 tbs of dish washing detergent (in this case fruity Morning Fresh Watermelon and Pomegranate) with 2.5 tbs of vegetable oil in 4 lt of water.



Then spray infested plants as normal. Thorough drenching is required here due to this not being a systemic solution.

[GCRXR6]

Originally Posted by Captain Stubing

We have a groundcover that I think is causing problems with our dog's skin... I think it's Tradescantia Spathacea. In the shade it stays green, when it gets more sunlight it goes purple.

image

I need recommendations for a better ground cover.

We also have the Purple Heart variety.

Yeah good old Moses in a Basket...it can be a basket of a plant for dogs.
Try Mondo grass, both green and variegated, or try Liriope muscari. Both mondos and liriopes form clumps and can be propagated by dividing the clumps.

[DFB FGXR6]

Today's attention grabber.



Chrysocephalum apiculatum 'Desert Flame' is a low growing native ground cover that does well in a sunny position and requires minimal water once established. With a height and spread of 20cm high and 40cm wide, this plant injects colour via it's cheery yellow flowers and the grey foliage provides a nice colour contrast.

[DFB FGXR6]

Even with winter on our door step, the roses continue to flower. This one is called Brass Band.

[roKWiz]

Lovely pics. You tend to some amazing plants.

Down here I'm lucky to have lots of Australian natives which are just starting to flower.
My pride plant is a Toothbrush Grevillea, the resident Wattlebirds, Treecreepers, White Plumed Honeyeaters, Firetails and Superb Wrens absolutely adore the nectar.
After the flowers slowly die off, the Cootamundra Wattles start flowering signifying deep winter.
Different wattle species colours are amazing during winter.

[BA-XT]

We just bough our own house so for the first time in my life I've gotten into gardening seriously. Spent hours today picking out what I now know a weed called "Purslane Weed" from about a 3x4 section of my nice lawn.

It was so hard to dig out with the couch grass getting tangled up. Horrible thing to dig out.

I have shady parts in the lawn so hoping to keep it alive and well during winter but couch doesn't like the shade.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by BA-XT

We just bough our own house so for the first time in my life I've gotten into gardening seriously. Spent hours today picking out what I now know a weed called "Purslane Weed" from about a 3x4 section of my nice lawn.

It was so hard to dig out with the couch grass getting tangled up. Horrible thing to dig out.

I have shady parts in the lawn so hoping to keep it alive and well during winter but couch doesn't like the shade.

Ahhh, Purslane or Portulaca weed. A resilient and troublesome weed. I find it will even resist chemicals more so than other weeds, taking far longer to die from Glyphosate.

[BA-XT]

That's the one! OMG every time I looked at a small space in the lawn, sure enough another one was there. Using chemicals wasn't really an option unfortunately with the weeds entangled in the lawn.

That patch is now dug up and a bit of a mess, so will wait to spring to fix up. Might throw some couch runners down. I'd throw up some pics but don't want to hijack the thread.

Might start a "backyard build thread" :-)

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by BA-XT

That's the one! OMG every time I looked at a small space in the lawn, sure enough another one was there. Using chemicals wasn't really an option unfortunately with the weeds entangled in the lawn.

That patch is now dug up and a bit of a mess, so will wait to spring to fix up. Might throw some couch runners down. I'd throw up some pics but don't want to hijack the thread.

Might start a "backyard build thread" :-)

Post away mate, I don't mind.

What you need is a broad leaf selective herbicide/weed killer.

https://www.searlesgardening.com.au/...E-weed-control

Used correctly, this will kill weeds and leave the lawn intact. Don't use those "Weed-n-Feed" type products as these simply burn off the foliage and leave the weeds root system behind to regrow at a latter date.

[BA-XT]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Post away mate, I don't mind.

What you need is a broad leaf selective herbicide/weed killer.

https://www.searlesgardening.com.au/...E-weed-control

Used correctly, this will kill weeds and leave the lawn intact. Don't use those "Weed-n-Feed" type products as these simply burn off the foliage and leave the weeds root system behind to regrow at a latter date.

Thankyou :-) Yes been doing a lot of research on lawns. I believe I have a Couch grass. But looking close today might be Buffalo.

I have been going around pulling those weeds out. I have a complete infestation of them!



I don't think I have a choice but to spend hours and keep going around digging them out. As a result I've dug up a lot of my lawn



At the moment plan of attack is to put runners back into the ground and keep searching around for more of those weeds. I don't think they can be killed off. I've pulled out at least 150 so far.

In the spring I'll do the broad leaf weed killer then fertilise in september. Lucky its a small yard... Some of the couch is thin because of shade, so I'll put in garden beds I think. Scotts Lawn Builder seems to get good reviews and isn't too expensive

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by BA-XT

Thankyou :-) Yes been doing a lot of research on lawns. I believe I have a Couch grass. But looking close today might be Buffalo.

I have been going around pulling those weeds out. I have a complete infestation of them!

image

I don't think I have a choice but to spend hours and keep going around digging them out. As a result I've dug up a lot of my lawn

image

At the moment plan of attack is to put runners back into the ground and keep searching around for more of those weeds. I don't think they can be killed off. I've pulled out at least 150 so far.

In the spring I'll do the broad leaf weed killer then fertilise in september. Lucky its a small yard... Some are was the couch is thin because of shade, so I'll put in garden beds I think.

I might need a closer pic of your lawn to ID what type you have, as this will determine the broad leaf weed killer to use on it.

Keep it up mate. When spring arrives it will really take off with some fertilizer and water. Nothing better than the smell of a freshly cut lawn.

[DFB FGXR6]

The month of June and Winter season means the arrival of Bare Root trees and roses.



We received our first delivery of both Roses and deciduous trees / fruit trees today. Once unloaded, we wet the roots down then cover them with wet hessian to protect the root system while we process them.

This means a lot of busy work for us, sorting, labeling, taking out customer pre-orders and then burying them in sand to store them over the winter. It's the burying in sand part that I dread, shovel after shovel of heavy wet sand really takes a toll on the body.

Big work, but it is often an anticipated time by both customers and staff.

[Tonz]

DFB FGXR6 each one to their own... as a youngster I mowed lawns for pocket money, one old biddy (polite term) would sit outside and watch me mow near her succulents. Scream & yell if I got too close.The front yard was also on a slope.
One day Id had enough of her carp and got my mower on the rise of her yard, pretended to trip and the old Morrison did its best cut ever.

Without batting an eyelid and her trying for a heart attack, I pushed the mower onto the trailer I towed behind my pushbike and peddled off into the sunset.
Id wager she grows them still....it hell

[blueoval]

Great thread Deyon.

I dont know many garderner who are passionate about gardening. But I can see how it could soothe you doing something you really enjoy.

Personally I really really dislike gardening. Like really dislike it. I will do it if I have to, but I would be happy to pay someone to maintain my garden for me than do it myself. That is how much I dislike it. haha

I wish you lived closer coz I would be happy to give you work on my property. haha

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by blueoval

Great thread Deyon.

I dont know many garderner who are passionate about gardening. But I can see how it could soothe you doing something you really enjoy.

Personally I really really dislike gardening. Like really dislike it. I will do it if I have to, but I would be happy to pay someone to maintain my garden for me than do it myself. That is how much I dislike it. haha

I wish you lived closer coz I would be happy to give you work on my property. haha

Your the second person in two days to tell me I'm so passionate and enthusiastic about gardening. It's so nice to get some positive feedback, it's been a bit thin on the ground lately for a few years now. Really appreciate those words.

As I'm sure you can understand, I don't do much gardening in my down time. I garden and care for plants 6 days a week, it's the last thing I want to do for myself. I guess I get my fix during working hours and give 110 % to my customers. Hence my other thread on Ford Forums is far removed form Horticulture

[DFB FGXR6]

First Camellia Japonica flower for the season.

First of many by the looks of those buds waiting in the wings. This one is called 'Great Eastern'.





My Grandma had a garden filled with mature Camellia's, mostly of the Japonica type.

Broadly, there two main types of Camellia, Sasanqua and Japonica.

Sasanqua Camellia's flower in Autumn and early Winter and are more tolerant of sunny conditions. Their flowers are generally smaller but produce more of them compared to Japonica's. They make a great hedge or showy feature shrub.

Japonica Camellia's flower during winter and more suited to shadier spots in the garden, morning sun at the most. Having said that, they will acclimatize over time to a sunnier spot. The flowers on Japonica's are larger and fuller. The size and habit of these Camellia's is generally larger, almost tree like when fully grown. This means they are not as suited for hedging. Plant these Camellia's as a feature shrub or where height is needed.

All Camellia's prefer a rich, moist soil. Mulch and water well during the warmer months of the year. Always feed Camellia's after flowering to support new growth. Likewise, trimming is best done after flowering to shape if necessary.

Camellia's are my favorite plants. For most of the year they are just another green shrub, but when in flower, nothing is better than a Camellia for impact in the garden. Kinda like me, quiet and reserved mostly, but I may just surprise you one day!

[Citroënbender]

A good sized Japonica is glorious. Up there in my faves with Gordonia and Magnolia Grandiflora.

How do you manage unwanted shooting at the pruning cuts? I was always told to dig out the shoots like eyes on a potato.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

A good sized Japonica is glorious. Up there in my faves with Gordonia and Magnolia Grandiflora.

How do you manage unwanted shooting at the pruning cuts? I was always told to dig out the shoots like eyes on a potato.

In general, ripping the bud out will prevent a plant from shooting.

With roses, for example, that shoot from the root stock, it's advised to yank the unwanted shoot and rip it from the plant. That removes the bud and stops it from re shooting.

[Tonz]

my dad was the same with roses, he would prune almost to root stock, his nephew was president of Christchurch rose club and always wanted to know how dad got such growth and blooms.
He surprised us with a visit one day, how e
he didnt die from heart failure was a miracle

[Tonz]

Got to say I am really enjoying following this thread, you guys are not ashamed to show what excites you, well done and its also giving me some ideas for a job Iam slowly working on.

[DFB FGXR6]

Another Camellia, this time a variety called 'Marge Miller'.



Marge Miller was bread here in Australia as the worlds first ground cover Camellia. It is from the Sasanqua species meaning it can tolerate full sun, however I would probably use this in a shaded position if you are in area prone to hot, dry summers.

These feature plants are available as a ground cover or as a grafted 90cm standard.

[Tonz]

I gotta say you guys have lifted the moral of this whole forum.

My observations but there is no one up man ship
no arguments, not of the usual 'discussions' about I need to prove Iam right blah blah blah.

I am learning a lot although I suspect none of you are from SA, (frankly I dont even care about that stuff)but the list of plants you keep displaying esp. low care is encouraging.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Tonz

I gotta say you guys have lifted the moral of this whole forum.

My observations but there is no one up man ship
no arguments, not of the usual 'discussions' about I need to prove Iam right blah blah blah.

I am learning a lot although I suspect none of you are from SA, (frankly I dont even care about that stuff)but the list of plants you keep displaying esp. low care is encouraging.

Thanks for the feedback and comments.

Posting about plants and my cars helps me and my mental health and I'm glad it's bringing some joy to others too.

[DFB FGXR6]

This is Camellia 'Margaret Davis'.



I absolutely love this variety of Camellia Japonica. The pink variation can change from plant to plant, some having more pink and others having more white. This particular plant was covered in blooms and a real beacon in the garden. My Grandma had one of these in her collection and when they are in flower, I am reminded of her and her garden.

[DFB FGXR6]

Yellow Daffodil's against a brilliant blue sky. The season feels like it's about to turn.



Gardening is all in about planning and patience. For display like this, bulbs are planted in March and April. What looked like a shriveled onion turns into these bright and cheery Daffodils, a symbol of turning of Winter turning into Spring.

[DFB FGXR6]

As you can tell by now, I love Camellia's.

This one called 'Tinsie' is in full flower in my garden at the moment. I like how it is just a bit different.

[FTE217]

I finally made the time to contribute from my own garden, though pics taken through full winter some weeks ago.
Getting ready to clean up more with spring in the air !

I love these above, clippings passed onto me some months ago.

I love these ferns- hardy.

Can’t beat that eh, camellia in full bloom, got a few like this specimen.

Can’t remember what this is called but it looks nice, think it has a white flower haha

It’s doing well, all ripe now since the pic taken


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by FTE217

image
Can’t remember what this is called but it looks nice, think it has a white flower haha

Looks like an Albany wooly bush, Adenanthos. Cool texture plant thats as tough as they get.

Jealous of all your camelias guys. They're not suited to the lime sands of Perth but I'm heading to the Margaret river region next week and theres alot of mature specimens down there to envy.