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Newsbits
July 2010
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Visitors Welcome.
Next
Meeting:
Friday, 9th July 7.30pm for 8.00pm start.
*Venue:
Horticultural
Research Station, Research Rd., Narara
*Guest
Speaker:
Mark B.
Speaker for July Mark B. Mark is an arborist and has been taking care of trees on the Central Coast for 24 years both in the removal of hazardous trees as well as in treating stressed, valued trees and has been involved with organisations such as Greening Australia, Gosford’s Tree Protection Committee, and many others. He is very passionate about trees and their heritage and looks after trees at the Crommelin Arboretum at Pearl Beach.
Propagation Night A propagating night was the activity for the June meeting with Audrey demonstrating the art of pricking out seedlings and potting them up, Olga covered propagating from cuttings and Dot spoke about propagating ferns. Seedlings need to be pricked out and potted up as soon as they can be handled in fact the best time to do this is when the first permanent leaves emerge. Partly fill the tube with potting media then hold the seedling over the tube and add the potting mix around it taking care that the roots are pointing down. Gently tap the sides of the tube settling the potting mix around the seedling to eliminate any air pockets and water in with a seaweed solution. Cuttings While Audrey was showing us how to deal with seedlings Olga was demonstrating how to prepare cuttings. Firstly we learned how to prepare the secateurs by cleaning them with alcohol wipes before using them on the cutting material and then how to prepare the cutting. A two-nodal cutting is where the leaves are removed from three nodes from the bottom of the cutting. Cut just below a node and this is where the plant will form new roots from the undeveloped buds. If they are damaged don’t use this cutting, start another one. Before commencing check that the buds have not already started growing, it may not be the perfect time to do this cutting. Next Olga placed the cuttings into a liquid solution; those that she had brought along were Clonex (red) gel (IBA) which is recommended for semi hardwood cuttings and auxin one liquid (NAA + IAA) for the others. Most of the cutting material brought along on the night was softwood so the Clonex was really not required. Olga mixes about 1:10 amount of water to the Gel when using green material to reduce the strength. The cuttings were then dipped in honey which has antibacterial agents and necessary for a nice sterile cutting to strike and they were placed into cleaned Hiko trays and 100-cell black plastic trays. The media that Olga uses is from Grange Growing Solutions and is a very fine coir fibre mixed with sawdust and sand. No fertiliser is used in the cutting media but it is moistened with water before filling the trays. After filling the trays compress one over the other to remove most of the air from the cells. Small holes are then poked into the middle of the cell the cutting is removed from the hormone solution and gently pressed into the mix and patted into place. At this point members were invited to join in and get some hands on experience. Propagating Ferns - Dot Ferns have been around for more than 200 million years & in that time they have evolved many different ways of reproducing themselves. The most common method of propagation for home gardeners is by dividing the rhizome or separating the crown. Remember to-
Bulbils or leaf tip plantlets provide another popular method of propagating. Peg the leaf down & wait until the bulbils have produced roots before you sever them from the main plant. You might like to experiment by using spore to propagate ferns. Certainly a slower method but if you are successful you will have lots of ferns to share with your friends. Another Method Over the last couple of years I have had a lot of success striking cuttings using a large deep plastic container. The container is about 35cm deep and the cutting media, (about 70% sand, 20% fine coir and 10% perlite), is placed into the container to a depth of about 12cm. The cuttings are poked into the mix and given a spray of rain water before the lid is closed and they are left to look after themselves except for the times that I can’t resist the temptation to lift the lid to see how they’re doing. On these occasions they get another light spray of rain water and the lid is replaced. This probably wouldn’t work for all cuttings but some of plants that I have had a huge amount of success with are Scaevola, Correa species, Myoporum, Hardenbergia, Goodenia species, Zieria, Crowea, Bracteantha and many others. Elsie This isn’t the best time of the year for propagating either by seed or cutting unless you have access to bottom heat. When growing from seed there are some species that are sown in spring and others in autumn and when propagating from cutting the best time is from spring to summer. The book ‘Let’s Propagate’ by Angus Stewart has a chart that tells you the best way to propagate each species whether by seed or cutting and also states the time of the year in which to do this. Other useful books are ‘Growing Australian Native Plants from Seed’ and ‘Seed Collection of Australian Native Plants’ both written by Murray Ralph and the three of these books are available to borrow from our library. Many thanks to Audrey, Olga and Dot for their presentation and happy propagating to all.
Only a few plants were on the table this month. One of those was
an Acacia species which was thought to be Acacia binervia.
This is an interesting shrub or small tree with silvery blue-grey
foliage and dark flaky bark. The flowers cover the plant in early
spring and the timber has a powerful fragrance which is long lived.
The timber is very hard and was used by Aborigines to make
boomerangs. Its distribution range is the NSW coast and ranges. Xanthostemon verticillatus or Bloomfield Penda is a small tree 5-10m high with a distribution area in North east Q’ld. It’s a free flowering plant and its white, cream or yellow flowers appear in summer. It will grow and flower in shade or sun providing water is freely available and can be propagated from seed or cutting which strike easily. Acmena smithii is another local and can grow into a tree up to 20m high in rainforest gullies or just a dwarf shrub in exposed coastal areas. It bears white or cream flowers in summer that are followed by pink fruits. The fruits are edible but not particularly palatable but are enjoyed by birds and were a food source for Aborigines. Information sourced from Field Guide to Native Plants of Sydney by Les Robinson and Australian Rainforest Plants V by Nan & Hugh Nicholson.
Book of the Month Narelle H. The
book that Narelle presented was ‘Birdscaping Your Garden’ – How to
attract Australian native birds to your garden by George Adams. The
book was first published in 1980 and due to its popularity has since
been reprinted many times. The book includes information on Bird Habitats, Creating Sanctuaries for Native Birds, Environmentally Important Plants for Australian Birds and the relationship between our flora and fauna. There is also information on building nest boxes and setting up food trays and bird baths. The number of some of our small birds has decreased dramatically since early European settlement due to feral predators and loss of habitat. These small birds require understorey plants for food, shelter and nesting sites and in many areas these understorey plants are disappearing along with the small birds. Banksia Serrata We as gardeners can create bird friendly gardens with dense plantings of suitable native food plants to encourage birds to take up residence and in return be rewarded by their presence and the birds will help control insect pests and eliminate the need to use chemicals. Banksias, Callistemons, Correas and Grevilleas are a great source of nectar for the honeyeaters and grass seeds supply food for finches. The larger birds particularly parrots are attracted to Acacia species, Hakeas, Banksias and Grevilleas. This book may not be available in book shops anymore but it is available for you to borrow from our library.
Plants in Pots Sunday, 18th July At the March meeting of Plants in Pots it was decided that we would not have any formal meetings for this year. Our group will continue to meet 3 times per year for a social afternoon and discussion of our potted plants. APS members are still welcome to join us on these afternoons, the next being Sunday 18 July at 2.00pm. We will meet at Ginie's home. Please phone Barbara & Andrew on 4328 1005 if you need any further information.
On Sharing the Village The following article was submitted and won a prize in last year’s literary competition at Henry Kendall Gardens. Many thanks to Don George for writing this article for me. Don George is a resident of Henry Kendall Gardens and a member of the APS Central Coast Group, husband of Lorna, and in fact was once President of the Group. Alfred Alectura lathani
Bus Trip Sunday 29th August The Sutherland Group of the Australian Plant Society is hosting an event at Joseph Banks Native Plants Reserve on Sunday 29th August and we are planning a bus trip to join them on the day. The reserve is 2.2 hectares of natural bushland and gardens and on the day there will be guided walks, waterwise landscaping ideas, advice from friendly experts, native plants and the CD Coastal Plants of the Royal National Park will be available for sale. The coach will be departing Gosford Station on the western side in Showground Road at 8am sharp and a second pick up stop will be made at Kariong if required. On the journey down there will be a raffle and guessing competition. We expect to arrive at Joseph Banks Gardens by 10am. We will be leaving the Joseph Banks Gardens at 12.30pm and heading for Sylvan Grove Native Garden at Picnic Point and expect to arrive there at about 1pm. Sylvan Grove is a 1.5 hectare site adjoining Yeramba Lagoon and is a haven of natural bushland along a winding bush track. In late August we can expect to see a spectacular display of native plants from all states of Australia and an abundance of birds. There are no plant sales at Sylvan Grove. Bring your lunch your own cup drinking water hat and sunscreen and some gold coins for the raffle. Morning tea will be provided. Come along, bring your family and friends and enjoy what’s bound to be a great day. Cost of the bus trip will be $20 a seat for members and $25 for non-members, children of members $5, and non members children $10. The form will be distributed again at the July meeting and we will be collecting payment as well in July. If you’re unable to attend the July meeting, contact me on 4365 5049 or at damael@bigpond.net.au and I will add you to the list. It won’t be too late to register your interest at the August meeting unless of course the coach is booked out.
World Tree Day Sunday 1st August Set this day aside and join us at Katandra for a work/social day with a sausage sizzle lunch followed by a walk in the rainforest for all those who are interested. On the day we will be planting trees using the long stem method and doing some weeding. Meet in the carpark at the top of Katandra Road, Holgate. For Work please bring; Gardening gloves and trowel, sturdy shoes, hat, leech repellent and drinking water. For Lunch please bring; Folding chairs and table (if you have one), your own drinking cups, plates and cutlery, a thermos or two of hot water to share and a plate of finger food for sweets. Provided: We will provide BBQ sausages or vegetarian equivalent (please let us know), salad and bread rolls, tea, coffee and juices and of course plenty of good company. Come along and join us in what promises to be a great day. For catering purposes please contact Audrey on 4323 3986 and advise if you will be there on the day.
Marine Discovery Series Thursday 8th July Time: 6.30pm – 8.00pm Crowne Plaza Hotel Terrigal Unravel the mysteries of Undersea Canyons, Landslides and Volcanoes and immerse yourselves in the lives of Port Jackson Sharks. Pre-seminar nibblies provided from 6pm. Attendance is free and bookings preferred but not required. For bookings contact Joanne Hill on 4337 1202
Bookings are essential. Contact Bushcare Officers on 4304 4557 or 4304 4564.
Flora Festival Thursday 9th September – Sunday 12th September The festival roster will be circulated again at the July meeting and all meetings leading up to the festival and we urge you to add your name on the days and times that suit you. The chart below gives an idea of the 3-hourly shifts and you can use this chart to record when you have offered to help. If you’re unable to attend the monthly meetings leading up to the festival and would like to help, telephone me on 4365 5049 or contact me by email at damael@bigpond.net.au and I will add your name to the chart. We will be starting to set up on the Sunday afternoon of the 6th September which gives those people that work during the week a chance to contribute, we continue on the Tuesday and finish off the display on the Wednesday on which day we also receive tube stock from our plant suppliers. During the festival we will be looking for assistance on the days and times shown on the chart –
Don’t be afraid to add your name to the roster. Get to know and mix with other members and join in the camaraderie. Festival Roster
The Assassin Bug Gminatus australis preys upon other insects. They have a proboscis that pierces their prey injecting saliva into them creating an enzyme that immobilises and dissolves their prey. Insects that they prey upon are caterpillars, snails, bees and many other invertebrates including other assassin bugs. The adult Assassin Bug grows to about 17mm in length and has an orange-red body with black legs and black wings. The female lays a cluster of 40-80 eggs on plant material and the nymphs will emerge after 14-16 days. The nymphs resemble the adult bug but are black and have no wings; they will moult six times before maturing and will then develop their orange colouring. Caution needs to
be taken if handling the Assassin Bug; they will bite people and are
known to probably have the most painful of all insect bites.
The Wildplants Nursery will hold their open day at the Pioneer Dairy on Saturday 17th July from 10am – 2.00pm. Plants for sale at the nursery are grown from seed collected locally. Entrance to the nursery is off South Tacoma Road on the right just after the railway underpass.
June Bushwalk It was cold but sunny on Kincumba Mtn when our group of walkers set out to walk down the Sid Pulsford track. The upper parts were rather damp underfoot, and there were very few plants in flower, not surprisingly for early winter. However, as we descended we noticed thicker and more rainforest-type vegetation in the gullies. Amongst the ferns (Calochlaena dubia and Blechnum cartilagineum) were many patches of leaves of ground orchids, but unfortunately none in flower. Small shrubs of Leucopogon lanceolatus were developing bud spikes.
Dampiera
purpurea
(pictured right)
The forest contained many enormous trees, especially Angophora costata and Eucalyptus pilularis (Blackbutt), and some very tall Grey Gums (E. punctata) having very colourful patchy bark, in tones of grey, fawn and orange. Other species included Glochidion ferdinandi (Cheese Tree), Olearia species, Synoum glandulosum, Psychotria loniceroides with soft furry leaves, and Ripogonum fawcettianum and Trochocarpa laurina. On our return to the top, we enjoyed lunch in the picnic area, which was quite popular with many groups having a day out on the holiday weekend.
Membership Update A number of members have had further reminders to pay their renewal fees for this year, due on 31st June. Please try to have all outstanding renewals made this month, and send them, using our group's form, to your membership officer at 4 Grants Rd, Somersby 2250, or pay at the July meeting.
Newsletters from Other Groups Every month we receive electronic newsletters from other NSW Australian Plant Society groups and these are distributed to committee members and some of our members who are interested in reading them. Any member who would like to have these emailed on to them should contact me at damael@bigpond.net.au and I will add them on to the list. See what other groups are involved in and enjoy the colour photos and information in their newsletters. Elsie
When: Sunday 13th July Where: Burrawang track, Wyrrabalong N.P.(North)
Meeting: 10.00 am at the main northern entrance to the
National Park, on Wildred Barrett Drive.
Description: The Burrawang track is part of a loop. We will start on
the left fork and go clockwise, and join the Redgum track to return.
We will stop for lunch at one of the lookout platforms overlooking
the lake. The forest here is full of spectacular Redgums and the
undergrowth contains Correas, Styphelias, Monotoca and possibly some
ground orchids.
This is a lovely area, even in winter. The track is
sandy, with lots of ups and downs, but not too steep. If time permits, on the return we will take a side track to the Wetlands area, which has many fern species. Bring your pack with lunch and drinks, warm clothes and solid footwear. The nearest toilet facilities are at Norah Head.
For
a last minute weather check or more information, you can ring Diana
on the day,
CD - Native Plants & Bushwalks of the Central Coast
Many years ago Alan created a list of plants that the group had identified while on their monthly bushwalks. This list was passed over to Diana & Barry a few years ago and it was then converted into a data base. Over the past 3 years a great many more plants have been added to the list and now 800 plants are included on the data base. Photographs were also collected along the way some taken by Diana & Barry and others taken by some of the keen photographers amongst the group members. From this data base and collection of photos a DVD was produced to run on the coach for the Sydney Tour of the ASGAP Conference last year. This particular tour was subsequently cancelled due to lack of numbers but a seed was planted and the thought of a CD began to grow. After many hours spent at the computer the CD is now complete. It contains over 400 photographs and lists 24 bushwalks in National Parks, State Forests and Reserves of the Central Coast region and each bushwalk has a listing of the plants which may be found along that walk. In some cases maps are included. The disc is available for $15 plus $2.50 postage (within Australia only) The CD can be purchased at any of our monthly meetings.
or if you wish to order
a form is available from this website.
The Committee and members would like to thank Diana and Barry for all the effort and hours spent in producing the CD the profits from the sale of which will benefit the group.
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