As I type this our landline and internet are both down, and we are not sure when Telkom will be repairing it, so please bear with us if you are trying to get hold of us.
I have just added up the rainfall for February so far and reached a total of 195 mm – not bad for only half the month!!
Full rainwater tanks + well watered plants = happy gardeners!
FUCHSIAS IN THE HEAT:
Not all plants like the weather at this time of the year. Fuchsias originate from cooler climates and are not partial to the heat.
Not all plants like the weather at this time of the year. Fuchsias originate from cooler climates and are not partial to the heat.
So, what to do to help your fuchsias get through this hot period? The plants in the garden are more able to regulate their temperature and moisture levels. This would particularly be the case if you had mulched your plants earlier in the season. The mulch benefits the plants immensely by keeping the roots cool and moist in the heat.
Those in containers, however, do suffer. The pots, particularly the plastic ones, can get very hot and almost “cook” the roots. The plants’ leaves will start to droop and our natural reaction is to give it some water. Always check first how heavy the pot is, or, if it is too big to lift, stick your finger in the mix to check the moisture level. If the pot is light and dry, give it a good watering. If the water goes straight through and the pot still feels light, put a drip tray under the pot to allow the plant to soak up more water. Most potting mixes are bark based, which, when they dry out, are difficult to re-wet. Another trick is to mix a wetting agent in with the water. You can mix a squirt of dishwashing liquid into the watering can and water your plants to help wet the potting mix.
If, however, the pot is heavy and the mix is wet, just give the foliage a fine spray with plain water. This helps to cool the plant and assist it in trying to balance its loss of moisture through the leaves (transpiration). DO NOT give the plant any more water as this can literally “drown” the roots and could even kill the plant. As many plants are killed by over-watering as by under-watering!
Another option with smaller potted plants is to place the plant, still in its pot, into a larger pot and line the gap between the two pots with sawdust or shredded newspaper and keep this moist. This acts as an insulator to keep the pot and roots cool.
Your fuchsias may also need to have a light pruning. Take about 20% off the branches. The plant should “tell” you where to prune. Prune just above the new side shoots. This will provide a further flush of flowers before the end of the season.
Also, don’t forget to feed with chicken manure (or Bounce/Accelerator) and 5:1:5 for garden plants and chicken manure and 3:1:3 (complete with trace elements) for potted plants. The feeding should be alternated every two weeks. Both garden and potted plants will also benefit from a regular weekly application of foliar feed.
Roses can be dealt with in a very similar way to fuchsias. That means giving a light pruning, feeding and mulching. You may also have to spray a fungicide to combat the black spot, which is quite prevalent at this time of the season. But please make sure that your roses are planted in a well-drained mix. Roses love lots of water but hate being water-logged.
NURSERY SPECIALS :
The following plants are on special until 15th March 2017 :
The following plants are on special until 15th March 2017 :
Roses – were R85.00 now only R50.00
Ajugas – were R15.00 now only R10.00
Cupheas – were R15.00 now only R10.00
Alternantheras – were R15.00 now only R10.00
Ajugas – were R15.00 now only R10.00
Cupheas – were R15.00 now only R10.00
Alternantheras – were R15.00 now only R10.00
• Variegated yellow leaves
• Red shades
• Red shades
Raspberries – were R30.00 now only R20.00
Youngberries – were R30.00 now only R20.00
Turmeric – were R35.00 now only R25.00
Youngberries – were R30.00 now only R20.00
Turmeric – were R35.00 now only R25.00
CLOSED WEEKEND :
Please note that we will be closed from 4pm on Wednesday, 22nd February, until 9am on Monday, 27th February 2017, as we are off to do the Three Cranes Challenge in Karkloof again – this time with the whole family in tow!!
Please note that we will be closed from 4pm on Wednesday, 22nd February, until 9am on Monday, 27th February 2017, as we are off to do the Three Cranes Challenge in Karkloof again – this time with the whole family in tow!!
News supplied by Tanglewood Nursery.