Gardening in the searing summer sun is always a challenge. Not only do plants wilt in the heat, but gardeners also suffer. But hot summers don’t mean that you can’t have a colourful garden. Numerous care-free plants with tropical temperaments crave high temperatures and strong sunlight. Read the rest of this entry »

To learn how plants that thrive in acid soil fit into their 1 natural environment, explore a natural forest. The same forces that shape and nurture a forest create acid soil. The copious rain that filters through the trees and soaks the ground underneath will leach alkaline minerals such as limestone sediment from the soil, neutralising it. At the same time, the natural mulch of evergreen leaves forms a blanket on the forest floor, along with bark and discarded branches. As this mass of plant matter begins to break down, it contributes acidity to the soil. So, unless a forest happens to be sitting atop a hefty deposit of crumbled limestone, the natural pH of its soil will be in the acid range. Read the rest of this entry »

Compost Materials Branches (an armful or two)

• Wooden poles (3 or 4) Hay
• Grass clippings
• Leaves
• Weeds
• Sawdust
• Kitchen garbage
• Manure (horse, cow, chicken, rabbit, dog)
• Wood ash or limestone Rich topsoil
• Water Read the rest of this entry »

SOIL

Soil is generally used in compost heaps. Fertile soil contributes a large population of organisms which help decompose the compost materials, as well as minerals which the organisms need to live. Soil also helps prevent the loss of nitrogen to the air in the form of ammonia gas. Use very thin layers of soil—perhaps 1/8 inch—in the compost heap. It is important not to use too much soil, because it may add too much weight to the heap and compress the materials underneath. Soil is used as an insulating layer after the compost heap is completed. A 2-inch cover layer is sufficient to conserve moisture and heat. Read the rest of this entry »

Roses planted in containers require somewhat more care than do in-soil roses. Containers are subject to overheating, dehydration, loss of water-soluble nutrients, and other conditions. Help them thrive by watering them whenever the soil becomes dry, fertilizing every 2-3 weeks, and shielding them from direct sunlight when temperatures climb. Read the rest of this entry »

With beds and containers prepared, the time has come to choose healthy, vigorous, and disease-free roses from the wide selection that is offered at your garden retailer. Choosing healthy roses requires a careful examination of each plant.

In spring, roses are available both as bare-root plants and as established shrubs in nursery containers; later in the year, only containers may be available. Both grow equally well and are genetically identical. Bare-root roses are somewhat more economical, require more time to become established than container plants, and are available directly from growers as well as through retailers. Read the rest of this entry »

Seed pans, wicker baskets and basins make ideal homes for small plants. Choose these containers for succulents and seaside plants, which won’t mind if the shallow soil dries out from time to time on hot sunny days. Read the rest of this entry »

The term ‘bulb’ includes corms, rhizomes and tubers — all of which store food beneath the ground during periods of drought and dormancy (see box, far right). They are mostly associated with spring, but the autumn-flowering plants in the main arrangement on the facing page grow from corms. Read the rest of this entry »

Use plants as a decorative feature at Christmas. Plant festive container arrangements to decorate the house, stoep and patio and give visitors a cheery welcome. Read the rest of this entry »

Flowers offer the container gardener not only colour but also texture and shape. When planning a display, you need to look at the size of the plants, the outline of their flowers and whether the foliage is glossy or muted. Striking a balance between colour, texture and shape can create a beautiful tapestry effect. Read the rest of this entry »

One pot of plants looks hot and sunny, another cool and restful. The versatility of container gardening means you can introduce any colour you please to create exactly the look you desire. Read the rest of this entry »

Creating a successful colour scheme is not just about choosing the right plants. To get the best results you also need to consider where you plan to put the container. Read the rest of this entry »

A beautiful bonsai deserves a beautiful container. The container completes the image started many years before as a seed or cutting. The tree was acquired by the artist, designed, trained and nurtured until it was ready to be planted into its final show pot, resulting in a serenely beautiful image of a bonsai.

The container of a bonsai has been likened to the frame of a picture; it is the finishing touch that makes a good tree an exceptional bonsai. It is more than this, however, as it is also the home of the tree and so needs to provide an environment for the roots that will ensure healthy, vigorous growth to maintain the health of the top parts of the tree. Read the rest of this entry »

Old trees have exposed surface roots that anchor the tree firmly to the ground, in both a visual and a physical way. A bonsai needs to start from a solid beginning, so make sure that the tree has a good surface root system. Read the rest of this entry »

If you will be growing your trees inside there are some considerations to bear in mind. The environment inside a house or office is quite harsh for plant life. It is often much darker than it is outside; the light coming in through windows is very directional; the air is much drier (less humid); there is very little air movement or there are uncomfortable drafts coming through doors and windows; and levels of pollution, from smoking, fireplaces and kitchens are often quite high. Read the rest of this entry »

Bonsai will thrive in a semi-shaded spot that is exposed to a couple of hours of morning sun each day. Try to avoid the hot midday and afternoon sun. A light, airy environment is best for growing trees in, but do not expose them to the cold, dry winds that blow inland, or the drying, salty wind along the coast. They also do not do well in dark, damp corners of patios where there is too little light and all sorts of pests and diseases can breed. Read the rest of this entry »

This fern has slender black stems and delicate, triangular green fronds, which shiver in the slightest breeze. The leaflets are pale pink when young and develop to a pale then dark green. When the plant matures, clusters of brown sporangia (spore sacs) appear on the undersides of the leaves. This fern can be used to soften a display or can be placed on its own. Read the rest of this entry »

This plant acquired its unusual common name because some growers plunge the entire container into hot (not boiling) water at the beginning of spring to encourage new growth. Achimenes have slender leafy stems bearing flowers at their tips. The flowers, with long tubes and velvety petals, bloom in midsummer and come in rich and vibrant colours, as well as pale pink and white. They are ideal for hanging baskets but also look impressive in ordinary containers. Read the rest of this entry »

House plant containers are legion and, although they may at first appear to be expensive, they are a worthwhile investment as a permanent asset in the home and as an inherent part of the decor.

Many materials and substances have been brought into use in the making of plant containers and pots. Apart from those available in shops, householders delight in finding something different and unusual for holding their plants. Old preserving pans and kettles of copper or brass, cast-iron pots and ceramic dishes are just some of the articles that can be used to make interesting containers. Read the rest of this entry »

The delicate root hairs can take up only a certain amount of water from the soil and this is sentup through the stems to the leaves. Theroot hairs also need air to function properly and if the air between the soil particles is replaced with water, then the roots will soon rot and die. So, even though it is tempting to show your appreciation for your indoor plants by giving them extra water, this will only do them more harm than good. Read the rest of this entry »