Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2023 i The Gardener Magazine

The days of dewdrops, crisp mornings and blue, blue skies are here! I do love them! There is a clarity in these early mornings that you can’t find or substitute in any other month. Enjoying this month is even extra special for me as it’s a birthday month and oh my word, it’s a BIG one. I’m not too sure how I feel about this one, so we will skip any further conversation on the topic. Let’s get onto something juicy: Cryptanthus – a group of plants that I have been itching to show off, I finally got to use in a DIY, primarily because you can now get these gorgeous sea-like plants at most garden centres. Commonly known as Earth Stars, they are a relative of the well-known bromeliad…

Gazania ‘New Day’ ‘New Day’ gazanias are a more compact plant with larger flowers than other varieties and have the most stunning plain and stripy blooms. Apart from a long list of bright colours, you can also get the captivating ‘Red’ and ‘Rose Tiger’ stripe. This drought-tolerant series is ideal in the landscape in a sunny spot as a border or groundcover or in containers and hanging baskets for a pop of colour near the house. Butterflies love the large, colourful blooms. Height 20 – 25cm. Gazania ‘Kiss’ For a truly vast range of bright and beautiful blooming groundcovers, you can’t go wrong with the ‘Kiss’ range of gazanias that also feature ‘Big Kiss’ and ‘Kiss Frosty’. There are striped and non-striped versions with rings of colour in singles and…

While we use the term ‘Asian greens’ to refer to some leafy green vegetables, it is a difficult subject to classify exactly. Firstly, because each green is called something different in a different part of Asia and also because some are not only ‘greens’ as we would identify them – like spinach – but also the green tops of root vegetables like radishes. The easiest way to record them is to call them all Asian vegetables. Today, we are discussing the most common leafy green Asian vegetables that we can grow from seed in South Africa and how to use them in the kitchen. Chinese cabbage Chinese cabbage is milder and sweeter than regular cabbages. It is also known as wombok or chihilli amongst many others depending on where you…

The difference between ornamental kale and other kales are short internodes on their stems which create dense rosettes of colourful leaves that intensify in colour in low temperatures and with light to moderate frost. Ornamental kales prove that one can have bright winter colour in the coldest of gardens simply for eye candy and not for the purpose of feeding somebody, although it is edible. Enjoy them as: • Colourful bordering annuals – they combine well with lobularia (alyssum), violas and lobelias. • Potted colour for patios and indoors, displayed in well-lit spots. They will last indoor for a few weeks if watered sparingly. Keep on removing bottom leaves which might start rotting away. Flowering kale needs: • Full sun to light shade. • Rich and moderately moist soil. •…

Before Van Riebeeck established a refreshment station at the Cape of Good Hope, this arum lily caught the eye of botanists and found its way to Europe in the 17th century. Our plain white arum has since morphed into what we have today – fantastic calla lilies in the most amazing colours and popular around the world. The deciduous summer rainfall species Z. Pentlandii and Z. Rehmannii with their narrow sword-like leaves also caught attention and growers in New-Zealand and The Netherlands and used them to breed fabulous arums in unbelievable colours which are popular the world over called calla lilies. These wonderful plants can be grown in the garden, but are more well known as houseplants to bring a touch of colour and brightness to the indoors. How to…

Scan the QR code to see how it works Use a soil wetting agent Hydrophobic sandy soil which repels water causing run-off and poor water penetration, and bark-based potting soil which has dried out for too long and is difficult to rehydrate, are two problems which can easily be solved with the use of Waterwise 3D. This biodegradable product which can be mixed with water in a watering can for easy application, breaks the waxy residue on hydrophobic soils allowing water to penetrate deeper into the soil reaching plant roots where it is most needed. As it also improves the efficiency of fertilisers, stronger, deeper and denser roots are encouraged so that much less watering is required. This is a very handy product to use for hanging baskets and large…

This versatile solar light stand will have you making more! It’s easy to assemble, decorative and light enough to move around from patio to garden. Placed on a balcony, it can be used to display cascading plants or used to brighten up a special nook. A must-have for a garden party, welcoming guests to your special event, or just for you to enjoy during loadshedding. What you need: Timber cut as follows 1 x 76mm x 95mm x 1000mm (Reclaimed timber for upright) 1 x 250mm x 250mm (Plywood for base) 1 x 150mm x 150mm (Plywood for top) 2 x 1L Woodoc Water-Borne MARINE Clear (Matt/Gloss) 2 x 20ml Woodoc Colours Opal 1 x 20ml Woodoc Colours Beaufort Grey Fine sandpaper 2 x Paintbrushes Stirring spatulas Wood filler 6…

Water storage goes SuperSlim While many of us would love to collect up to 20 000 litres of water from rainfall, that is often not practical as there needs to be a big enough storage space for that much water. To solve this problem, JoJo Tanks has come up with the Slimline range of tanks and now the SuperSlim 1000-litre tank which is the slimmest of the range. It fits into narrow walkways and is designed for easy installation. It comes with a 10-year warranty and in a variety of colours. www.jojo.co.za Backpack blower The new Worx 80V Nitro Backpack Leaf Blower is the first of its kind in the industry with a whopping 80V power pack offering performance and power. This blower is ideal for larger yards and small…

Watch how to use the Premium Range on this video with Tanya Visser Pruners The stalwarts of garden maintenance, a decent pruner is essential in any gardener’s kit. Bypass pruners are like having a pair of scissors in the garden, they are easy to carry around and perform a multitude of tasks including pruning roses, cutting herbs for the kitchen and cutting flowers for the vase. The cutting mechanism is gentle and gives a clean cut so as not to damage plants that need to regrow. Loppers Loppers are the second most useful tool in a gardener’s kit. The long handles allow leverage with minimal force. With less effort you can cut any branch that will fit entirely between the blades. A bypass lopper is the more popular variety that…

Winter veggies need full sun, and that can be a tall order for small or high-density properties. But if you have such a patch, or can make a plan with containers, why not create a beautiful and productive space by adding edible winter flowers or those that act as companion plants? The flowers that immediately come to mind are pansies, violas, calendula and nasturtiums, but there are many more. For instance, cornflowers, carnations and poppies provide nectar for the bees, chamomile stimulates growth, lavender and petunias are pest repellents, and other flowers with edible petals include rose-scented geranium, Bellis perennis (English daisy) and snapdragons. Also look out for day-length neutral sunflowers that come in bumper seed packs. They might take a little longer to germinate but will attract bees when…

Shrubs that can change their foliage according to the seasons and are not sensitive to winter cold and frost, or summer heat and wind, are what we are looking for when planning to plant a permanent feature such as a hedge. Modern abelia hybrids do it with flying colours! Abelia ‘Francis Mason’ (golden abelia) has leaves that sometimes turn completely gold. Then in true chameleon style, they can for periods be speckled in yellow and green. In cold weather the colour intensifies to bronze. It responds well to pruning into formal hedges, but if you leave it to grow out a bit in spring, you will be rewarded with masses of pale-pink to white trumpet-shaped flowers in summer. With a mature size of 2m x 1,5m you can use this…

A clove-like scent will waft in the vicinity of late winter and spring flowering Matthiola incana (stocks). They produce densely-packed flower spikes in shades of dark purple, rose, cream, pink and white, and are very popular garden cut flowers. The petals of the flowers are edible with a floral taste, so you can use them as a garnish in sweet dishes. Know their growth tricks • Prepare the soil before planting the seedlings with ample compost, a balanced fertiliser for fruit and flowers, and a light dusting of lime if your soil tends to be acidic. • Space the seedlings 35cm apart. • Do not handle them by touching their stems, rather handle them by the velvety greyish-green leaves when planting. • Keep them well-watered, but only when the top…

We want you to have a little fun on a window sill receiving soft sunlight in the morning with recycled glass jars and a few succulent rosettes with short stems attached. Washing dishes is just so much better when observing the process of a plant determined to root into the water below it. You need • Cuttings of echeverias, sedums, sempervivums, crassula, or graptopetalum – cut off a typical rosette with a piece of stem attached. You can allow the cuttings to dry out for a few days on newspaper. • Clean glass jars • Plastic wrap • A knife • Scissors Steps • Fill up the jars with some water. • Cover the jars’ mouth with plastic wrap and tie it down with string or rubber bands. • Use…

These little plants (Cryptanthus species) are the stars of the Bromeliaceae family. Commonly known as Earth Stars, their name truly describes the shape. With an array of wavy striped leaf colours ranging from bright green, pink and fire red, they are the exotic shade champions, hailing from Brazil. Cryptanthus grow in a flattened rosette and can get quite wide if planted outdoors in ideal conditions, reaching around 60cm. It may take several years for the plants to flower and then they are barely noticeable, but after flowering they will begin to die off. This is not really a problem if you propagate the pups they produce between the leaves of the mother plants. They will happily grow in a terrarium or in the cavities of driftwood, making them great display…

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Haworthiopsis Formerly named Haworthia, the succulent genus Haworthiopsis is native to regions in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Although succulents are not typically considered great houseplants due to their need for higher light levels, Haworthiopsis will be perfectly happy in front of a sunny north-facing window in your home. They are also slightly more tolerant of lower light than other geometric succulent species that quickly lose their shape, making them ideal for beginners. Haworthiopsis attenuata is one of the most widely grown species. But you can also look for the slightly rarer Haworthiopsis fasciata for something a little different. Water sparingly, only when the soil is completely dry. Be careful not to overwater as this can lead to root rot. Use a well-draining potting mix designed for succulents and…

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Pilea peperomioides, also known as the Chinese money plant, has distinctive round, coin-like leaves that are a beautiful shade of green. These leaves emerge from the central stem in a spherical shape, giving the plant a unique appearance. The round leaves have also given it the comical common names pancake plant and UFO plant. Although it may look delicate, these plants are quite easy to grow and tolerate a bit of neglect well. Pilea peperomioides is able to adapt to a variety of conditions, particularly when it comes to lighting. This makes it ideal for bedrooms or home offices where light may not be as bright. They are also compact enough to fit on your desk or side table for a touch of bright living décor. Pilea peperomioides is also…

A fanatical succulent propagator’s main quest is to encourage strong root formation which leads to healthy top growth. This requires a soil substrate that will not compact or allow water to drain away so quickly from the pot that the roots of the small plant in it are not properly hydrated – often the case when a bark-based soil mix is used. The solutions to this problem are two products imported from Japan called Ibaraki Akadama and Hyuga Pumice. Both are available from home and hardware stores and garden centres. Ibaraki Akadama is a clay-like, granular mineral formed as a result of the eruptions of Mount Fuji in Japan and is also called red ball earth. It is lightweight, highly porous with good water holding capacity, but drains freely. Although…

Believed to be as brave as the samurai, a koi fish is said to bring luck, prosperity, vitality and longevity to anyone who has a few. These are some interesting facts about koi fish you may not have known: Koi fish are freshwater fish that live in ponds, rivers and deeper water features. Koi are omnivorous fish and eat most things found in the water like small pond snails, insect larvae, dragonflies, and algae. They do require proper nutritious koi food as well to keep them healthy and happy. The word ‘koi’ is the informal name for this species of fish but the proper name is Nishikigoi. The word Nishikigoi means ‘swimming jewel’ which I totally agree with. They are beautiful and do look like jewels when they swim and…

What you need • Cryptanthus varieties of your choice • Piece of driftwood with large cavities • Fine orchid growing medium • Moss or decorative bark as decoration • Chopstick or thin bamboo stick • Small clean paintbrush 1. Scoop the orchid growing medium into the cavities. 2. Use a chopstick to create a little cavity in the soil and plant each Earth Star, firming down the soil around it. 3. Decorate with moss or bark chips. This will also help retain the moisture in the soil. 4. Dust off unwanted soil and mist well. 5. Place in a shaded position.…

Your mom, (bless her pedantic soul!), told me after she received the happy news of you being on the way, that she would love for you to have a play mat with different textures to touch and explore. I had a quiet chuckle as ‘texture’ would have been the last thing I would have worried about if I were in her shoes. I think you would probably and for quite a while too, rather prefer to focus on other t-words like tits and teats. Your young mother, with you the germinating seed in her hothouse, looked at me expectantly as if I would be the one to promptly whip up the magical texture. She subtly hinted that I should unpack my old sowing machine and should go on the hunt…