Episodes
Saturday Dec 18, 2021
More Slime Moulds part 2 in Plant Doctor
Saturday Dec 18, 2021
Saturday Dec 18, 2021
Slime Moulds part 2
The podcast continues with the topic of slime mould but particularly, about the slime mould called phytophthora.
Did you prick up your ears?
Yep, that’s the root rot known as phytophthora which gardeners dread.
Gardeners are often told that phytophthera, in particular Phytophthera cinnamomi, is a fungi but it's actually a water mould. You may have even heard it called 'root rot.'
- Phytophora is a particular slime mould that belongs to a group or Phyllum called Oomycota
- This group are moulds that can only move in water columns.
Phytophthora cinnamomi lives in the soil and in plant tissues,
During drought or prolonged dry periods , the organisms become dormant chlamydospores which is just a resting spore of Ascomycota.
When environmental conditions are suitable, the chlamydospores germinate, producing mycelia (or hyphae) and sporangia.
The sporangia ripen and release zoospores, which infect plant roots by entering the root behind the root tip.
This organism is very resistant to most chemicals that gardeners can throw at it and doesn't die with soil disturbance..
Dieback of branches of whole shrubs or trees is often seen in the Australian bush. |
Should you ever see branch dieback in your trees or shrubs or stem dieback in your tomatoes, it just may be due to a problem called root rot that is actually a slime mould.
The best way Botanic gardens have dealt with it is by fencing off affected beds within the gardens so horticulturists and the public don't transfer the spores around the the gardens or indeed, back home to their own gardens.
Drainage was also improved in garden beds so that the organism wasn't able to stay 'live' or active.
Compost is also added to soil to improve the soil so the microorganisms can combat this slime mould.
Let’s find out more by listening to the podcast.
I'm talking with Steve McGrane, horticulturist and agriculturist.
So know you know the facts and myths about Phytophthera and how to deal with it in your garden.
If you have any questions about slime mould or some feedback why not email us realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644
Saturday Dec 18, 2021
What Are Slime Moulds? part 1 of Plant Doctor
Saturday Dec 18, 2021
Saturday Dec 18, 2021
PLANT DOCTOR
Slime Mould: What Is It?
Part 1
What do the words slime mould conjure up in your imagination?
Is it that black stuff growing in the grout and on the tiles in your bathroom?
Or is it that green stuff on your paths on the south side of the house?
You may be surprised to find that it’s neither one of those so where is it lurking?
There are a lot of other moulds that live in the garden some of which are very useful.
Wolf Milk Slime mould |
Slime moulds are in the kingdom:Protista.
Did you know that slime moulds have a life cycle, and when you are able to observe them, is only part of their lifecycle?
They're usually brightly coloured -reds, vivid greens, yellow and purple.
They can grow on grass, logs and pretty much anywhere where the environment is conducive.
Slime moulds are not very well known in Australia, but Tasmania has around 100 species of slime moulds one of which is called 'dog vomit.'
Slime moulds are highly useful in that they break down materials, 80% of which is made available to plants.
Let’s find out more by listening to the podcast.
I'm talking with Steve McGrane, horticulturist and agriculturist.
If you have any questions about slime mould or some feedback why not email us realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Grafting Techniques part 2 on The Good Earth
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
GRAFTING TECHNIQUES Part 2
Approach grafting is an alternative method for citrus. |
In part 1 of grafting techniques Margaret Mossakowska and I talked about how growing from a tree such as an orange or lemon from seed isn’t all that successful unless you graft it onto hardy rootstock.
In this segment, we refresh some of those points and take you onto more grafting techniques.
There are many types of grafting that are available to be used, some more complex or more exacting than others.
My Take On Grafting
Cleft grafting I find is quite straight forward and easy to get right.
I've tried grafting Camellia reticulata scions onto Camellia sasanqua rootstock with a 100% success rate. Camellia reticulata has huge flowers, a feature I wanted growing in my garden.
Camellia 'Red Crystal' is a cross between C.reticulata ‘Crimson Robe’ and C. japonica ‘Wildfire,’ however, both are slow growing. and don't grow so fast in temperate Sydney.
I find this is a faster alternative, plus Camellia sasanquas are very hardy and less prone to root rot.
Camellia 'Red Crystal' |
- Grafting citrus is essential in Australia because the table citrus that we love to eat are not native to Australia, and so are prone to many diseases.
The grafted union in most cases needs to be above the ground. There is one exception and that is with lilacs(Syringia vulgaris.). Lilacs tend to sucker if grown on their own rootstock so they are grafted onto privet rootstocks.
Things to Watch Out For.
- At first the graft union may seem all fine and dandy, but if you see shoots from below the graft union, you may have a problem Houston.
- Shoots from below the graft union could signal failure of the graft and the rootstock is trying to take over.
- Keep on rubbing off these shoots and hopefully it's only a minor abberration.
- If this persists, you may find the top part or scion is slowly dying, so time to start all over.
You’ll also need the correct root stock.
If you have any feedback email realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Grafting Ctirus a Technique in The Good Earth
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
Thursday Nov 25, 2021
THE GOOD EARTH
Grafting Techniques part 1 & 2
Lemon tree |
- Switch to grafting methods.
Practice makes perfect and I would recommend wearing gloves before attempting to do any type of grafting.
So What is Grafting?
- The scion has to be a particular size and be related botanically speaking to the rootstock. That means you can't graft an apple onto citrus rootstock, because apples are in the family 'rosaceae' and citrus are in the plant family 'rutaceae.'
- Margaret describes cleft grafting where the scion's base is cut as a 'V' and inserted into the same length slit into the rootstock. The cambium (green wood) of each must be aligned.
You’ll also need the correct root stock.
Let’s find out more by listening to the podcast. I'm talking with Margaret Mossakowska of www.mosshouse.com.au
Sunday Nov 07, 2021
Small Space Gardening in the Kitchen Garden
Sunday Nov 07, 2021
Sunday Nov 07, 2021
SMALL SPACE GARDENING-COURTYARD STYLE
Modern day gardens are much smaller than they used to be.
Be inspired
- Corinne has managed to squeeze in over 200 plants into a small paved courtyard-that doesn't even include duplicates of plants.
- A good start is with recycling crates from your local council, to give you an idea of what works for you. Alternatively, plant into lots of containers that can be moved around to follow the sun.Then venture into raised garden beds.
Making the right choice
- Before any planting, determine the movement of the sun in your small space and and note down the hours of sunlight and shade in each part of your small space/courtyard.
- Choose those edibles that like all day full sun for those spots that get 6 hours plus of sunlight such as tomatoes.
- Leafy vegetables such as lettuce, rocket, Swiss chard and kale, don't mind a bit of shade throughout the day if your have only 3-4 hours of sunlight.
- If you only have morning sun then choose vegetables such as carrots, celery, and dwarf beans.
- For those spots with morning shade and afternoon sun, the choice is climbing cucumbers, climbing peas and beans.
Soil prep is key for Corinne.
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The raised garden beds are made up with homemade compost, worm castings and bought in compost and other organic material.Grow cucumbers on a lattice made of string.
Think of vertical spaces
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Think about growing vines like cucumbers and zucchinis and even nasturtiums, vertically.
I'm talking with Corinne Mossati drinks writer and founder of the gourmantic garden website.
Don’t be put off by lack of space you may have because no space is too small to have plants, even if it’s just herbs on the kitchen windowsill.
If you have any feedback email realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675
Saturday Nov 06, 2021
Murnong Yam is Plant of the Week
Saturday Nov 06, 2021
Saturday Nov 06, 2021
PLANT OF THE WEEK Number 3
Scientific Name: Microseris Lanceolata
Common Name:Murnong Yam
Family:Asteraceae
Yam Daisy |
Native Habitat: found in a wide range of habitats in Australia: these inlcude mallee, slerophyll and sub-alpine communities.
Description:-Strappy, linear green leaves above underground tubers that emerge after rain in Autumn.
Height-Width: 30cm x 30cm
Flowering: yellow daisy flowers in spring-autumn.
Fruiting:fluffy seedheads (known as achenes), similar to dandelion seedhead.
Position: Full sun and part shade.
Attributes: Dry tolerant once established and can grow in sandy soil.
There are many bush tucker plants that are not that well known and this is another one of them.
- Yam daisy plant can be hard to identify in the wild because it looks like a lot of other yellow daisy plants, including dandelions and flatweed, also called cats ears.
- The main differences: flat weed has a rosette of hairy, wavy-edged leaves that sit flat on the ground, while murnong has upright lance-shaped leaves.
- Murnong flower stems have a curved, drooping top as the bud develops, then straighten as it opens, whereas flatweeds and dandelions are upright as the bud is forming. The white tubers are nutritious and sweet tasting They can be eaten raw or baked, mixed with other vegetables or turned into a paste for dessert.
- It is possible to buy the seeds of yam daisy plant online.
- To find out more listen to the podcast. I'm talking with Adrian O'Malley horticulturist
Saturday Nov 06, 2021
Old Man Saltbush in Plant of the Week
Saturday Nov 06, 2021
Saturday Nov 06, 2021
PLANT OF THE WEEK Number 2
Scientific Name: Atriplex nummularia
- The leaves impart a salty flavour if your dry and crumble them and sprinkle on food.
Possibly, listeners would be familiar with the term ‘old man saltbush’ or even have seen this plant growing somewhere.
But I daresay, you would not have heards that parts of this plant are considered bush tucker.
There are many bush tucker plants that are not that well known and this is another one of them.
- The Department of Primary Industries NSW recommends the following for farmland.
"Shrubs are grown in hedgerows as block or alley plantings across the farm to provide high-protein green feed during periods of feed shortage."
Old Man Saltbush: Photo courtesy DPI NSW |
"Shrubs are grown in hedgerows as block or alley plantings across the farm to provide high-protein green feed during periods of feed shortage.Not recommended for areas with less than 300 mm average annual rainfall, or more than 600 mm average annual rainfall."
In the home garden, if you’re first planting out old man saltbush, don’t expect it to survive without any water at the start. After the first warm season, then it’s good to go on just what falls out of the sky in rainfall.
Let’s find out more by listening to the podcast with Adrian O' Malley horticulturist and native plant expert.
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
Australian Native Raspberry in Plant of the Week
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
Thursday Nov 04, 2021
PLANT OF THE WEEK
Scientific Name: Rubus parvifolia
Rubus parvifolia |
Not all fruiting vines or canes come from the northern hemisphere, Australia has quite a lot of its own.
These plants have similar fruits and are easier to grow than there northern counterparts so why are we growing them more?
My experience is observing one such plant in Sydney Botanic gardens, scrambling on a stream bank near the Palm House. This plant is part of the native garden along with banksias, grass trees, lomandras, carpobrotus and many others, including a peppermint gum.
The habit of rubus species is to keep suckering and spreading, much like the non-native blackberry bushes, so take care where exactly you plant it in your garden.
Listen to the podcast to find out more.
I'm talking with horticulturist and native plant afficionado, Adrian O’Malley
PLAY : Rubus parvifolius_25th August 2021
Tuesday Oct 05, 2021
Hidden Talents of Nasturtiums on Real World Gardener
Tuesday Oct 05, 2021
Tuesday Oct 05, 2021
Nasturtiums
with Corinne Mossati
Quite often we gardener have flowering plants in the garden but never think about bringing them into the kitchen to make something.
They may be just fillers or self-seeders, but in this case, the nasturtium, has so many extra uses other than ornamental, you’ll be inspired to do something.
Corrine find it takes between 14-21 days.
Eating Nasturtiums-Corinnes'tips:
and Cocktails & Bars: //www.cocktailsandbars.com
If you have any feedback email realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675
Saturday Sep 18, 2021
Success with Coriander in the Kitchen Garden
Saturday Sep 18, 2021
Saturday Sep 18, 2021
THE KITCHEN GARDEN
SUCCESS WITH CORIANDER
Coriander leaves |
Coriander is easy enough to grow but being in the carrot family,(Apiaceae) its green leafy tops can look not only like other herbs, but other vegetables!
- My guest, Toni Salter in the podcast, calls it the 'primadonna' of herbs.
- Soil is too dry
- Too little water at the right time.
- Poor or impoverished soil.
- Poor drainage in your herb garden.
- Temperatures too warm for it's liking.
- Temperatures too cold for it's liking
- Transplanting-the worst sin.
- TIP: Always sow the seeds directly into the position where it will grow.
Coriander seedlings |
When to Sow in Australia
For sub-tropical and arid zones, you have August to September;Temperate districts, sow the seeds from September until the end of November,
In cool temperate zones, October to November,
- Sow your seeds about 1 cm deep, cover them and keep them moist.
Coriander seeds drying on plant |
In fact the whole herb, including the roots can be ground up to make a Thai Green Curry paste.
Let’s find out more
I'm talking with Toni Salter www.theveggielady.com.au
PLAY: Success with Coriander_8th September 2021
If you have any feedback email realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675