It might not seem like it, but the days will be getting progressively longer now we have passed the winter solstice. Deciduous plants are well into their dormancy and it is time to think about pruning.

The purpose of pruning shrubs and trees is to shape, clean up old wood, encourage new growth and to open up the plant, letting in light and air. It is important to understand the nature of the plant that you are planning to prune. Be aware of the flowering time, when does it bear fruit, what age are the fruit bearing branches, can the plant tolerate being pruned and how much is safe for the plant. Shrubs that bloom in spring should be pruned after flowering, not in winter. This will allow enough time for next seasons’ buds to develop. Hydrangeas are pruned in a two-stage process. The first is when old blooms are removed at the end of summer and the second is while the bushes are dormant in July. Remove old, very woody stems at ground level to encourage new branches to develop. Deciduous fruit trees are trimmed in mid- to late winter while they are dormant. Roses can be cut back to roughly knee-height, and sprayed with Kumulus to sort out black spot and mildew.

Before embarking on the pruning process ensure tools are clean and sharp. Have suitable tools for the scope of the work – a pruning saw for thicker branches, loppers with long handles for tough hard to reach branches and twigs and good secateurs for most other pruning. Sharp cutting blades will ensure clean cuts and avoid ragged edges that can harbour disease.

Camellia sasanqua and Camellia japonica are two ornamental cousins of Camellia sinensis which gives us our Ceylon tea. These very showy plants grow in good, well composted, slightly acidic soil with a mulch to protect the delicate shallow roots. They enjoy dappled shade and shelter from the wind. Although they are slow growing they are a gorgeous focal point in winter through to early spring,  providing much needed colour during the cold grey days. Starke Ayres Acid Plant food  will help correct pH values in the soil for blue Hydrangeas as well as Camellias and Azaleas. Feed with water soluble Starke Ayres Hydrangea food to boost the flowers.

ORCHIDS

Cymbidium orchids are flowering now. Apply regular doses of Starke Ayres Flowering Orchid food to keep them in tip top condition. Phalaenopsis orchids have finished flowering and can be fed with the Starke Ayres Growing Orchid food until they begin sending up new flower spikes.

EARTHWORMS

Earthworm farms will welcome some attention. Gently place the contents in a heap on a piece of black plastic and slowly gather the compost around the edges. The worms will move away from the light and will eventually congregate in the very centre and can be scooped up and replaced in the worm bin with fresh bedding made from Palm peat. This clean up will ensure the contents of the worm farm does not compact and cause drainage problems. The harvested worm compost can be mixed into regular compost and applied to the garden.

SPECIALS OF THE MONTH

SPECIALS OF THE MONTH

WATERBLOMMETJIE BREDIE