Wairere Behind the Scenes
Phew! We have made it to the back of that container and I have to say that there was an impressive amount of trees in there. Just the small stuff to do now like the Hydrangeas and grapes which we save in case the weather gets bad and we have to pot under shelter. There were some pretty wicked frosts here which made for a crunchy start to each morning but what beautiful days that followed. Its been a great team doing the potting this year and includes Bev (Mother Duck as Barb calls her) who has helped for many a year. Barb is a newbie, and has soon become an expert at the job as well as keeping us all on our toes. The other mainstay of our team is a lovely couple (Eicke and Elizabeth) on a working holiday here from Germany, who will soon be on their travels again but they have made a cute little video of the team at work and lunch. I asked them if I could share it here and they didn't mind but it shows the routine, number of trees and cold mornings really well. Click here for a link that will take you to the page. Click on Behind the scenes at Wairere Nursery and special thanks to Eike and Elizabeth.
The main potting will be over this week other than a few small other orders and then hopefully the nursery, me and the team will get back to normal routines.
Its good that it rained the other night as that will water all the trees in and save us a job, not to mention that those mean frosts really dry the pots and garden out.
Time to watch out for Downy Mildew
Now for all of you who have new Roses ... be on the watch for that really sneaky problem of downy mildew. It can be a problem on new seasons roses that have started to grow due to being stimulated by having been dug up and potted into bags or your garden.
They will be pushing new leaves out and way to early. The problem starts with the frosts which damage the leaf surface or cuticle which creates an entry site for infection, then the rain comes along and warmer temps which spread the silent fungal problem. The problem with downy is that there is often no symptoms and those shoots that look like they should be growing just don't. If you do have leaves then they often just drop off. Other symptoms can be, if there are leaves to see, but very faint purplish blotches on the leaves or stems.
If you suspect that you have Downy mildew on your roses then you must spray and Yates Greengard is the stuff to use. Do two or three sprays one to two days apart to break the spore cycle. The best other tip I can suggest is to spray before rain arrives and after the rain has gone as its the rain that spreads most fungal infection.
I even spray the ground around as when the leaves drop the spores are now on the ground and of course when it rains the spores bounce back up to the leaves with the splashing effect and then reinfect the plant. It can be a bit of a vicious cycle.
Gosh this pruning weekend has come up fast and its on rail hail or snow. We do have a covered area now so that we can stay dry in case it is raining. Don't be shy and come along, it's an open invite even if you haven't registered any interest. I'll have to remind the old boy that we will want some muffins made for 11am Sat and Sun.
Then come on out to the nursery and spend some time those that are in the know. Join us at the Garden centre between Sat 18th July and Sun 19th July between 10 and 2 pm. I'll even try to organize some coffee and muffins for a cuppa around 11 am each day
Roses for the garden or Roses to show, whatever is your desire there are those that know and have advice to share.
Trevor, Paul and others from the local Rose society are mad keen to share their love of the rose. They have so kindly offered to come to the nursery and be on hand for those that want to know that bit more. Rose pruning.... what ever you want to know on this subject. Rose selection.... what roses are tough and hardy, those that would be excellent garden selections or, if you're really keen to grow the perfect bloom to show, then they are the experts.
If you are after these great secateurs then the Large Secateur
ARS VS-9Z 25mm are on special $139.99 down to $110.99. They will last you for years of pruning.
Old Fashioned delights...... Oldies but goodies!
Some of those old favourites that have been around for years and not so easily found any more have come out of that container sandwiched in amongst the trees. Yesterday we potted them along with the Hydrangeas and I think that there is only the grapes left to do now.
Edgeworthia Grandiflora or yellow Daphne. So unusual looking in the winter with its naked branches and yellow Daphne look alike flowers that are also even fragrant. I think that this is a must have and we don't have so many this year so if you keen be in quick.
Forsythia is a plant that just seems to herald in early spring with blaze of bright yellow flowers. A good plant for those cooler climates and pretty tough and easy to grow. choose from Karl Sax or Lynwood gold.
Kolkwitzia Pink Cloud. clouds of pretty light pick flowers smother this deciduous bush which always looks awesome in the spring.
Stachyurus Praecox, dont know if this one has a common name but looks amazing with hanging cream bell like flowers along its stems. Forms a nice large shrub and will be a blaze of Autumn colour whens its leaves turn colour with the cold again.
Every time I think about what day it is, its the weekend again. School holidays to boot I hope that the weather is kind to everyone over the weekend so that you can enjoy it with the kids and family. If its fine then maybe get that pruning done but if its wet then save it for a fine day.
We have friends over from Aussie so it will some roast dinners and a few wines as we catch up again each evening
Have a great weekend
Cheers
Lloyd, Harry and the Wairere Team
Make it a Wairere weekend where even
GNOMES know that gardening's not a drag
