It was fanciful to believe bamboos could thrive on the farm without taking the time to give them a great deal of protection. After 5 years, my bamboo experiment has produced mixed results. These plants received very little irrigation after their first year resulting in poor initial growth -unlike the lush specimens seen in warmer climates. Oldhams Bamboo Two larger growing species planted in an exposed place; Oldhams bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii) and a Dendrocalamus species – of uncertain origin – have struggled in winter and summer, but have been able to extend their clumps in autumn and spring. Oldhams bamboo, growing in a fairly exposed spot, is showing the most promise as a source of garden stakes – living up to its reputed drought tolerance. Bamboo stakes will however be few and far between– being slow growing– due to a lack of moisture. Bamboo Caring And Pruning Smaller growing...
Hobby Farm Environment
Gone To Seed
Vegetables “going to seed” are a clear sign that the season is ending or that abnormal climatic conditions prevail. On the other hand, trees and shrubs both in the orchard and as ornamentals begin going to seed after their vegetative or growing phase has been established and they are sufficiently mature to begin the process of reproduction. Survival Information In Seed Containers Five years after planting it is now possible to have a leisurely walk around the farm and observe a range of developing buds, pods, nuts and capsules. Essential for survival – having evolved distinctive features – each species carries important information about their growing conditions within seed containers. Many native trees and shrubs, reflecting a harsh environment, produce woody and strangely patterned seed pods. Adaption To Environment What may appear a random feature is generally some form of adaption to aspects of the environment such as desiccation...
My Wetland
The farm is gently sloping and on rare occasions, when there is a heavy downpour, the lowest reaches of the farm become inundated, creating a small wetland. This area stays waterlogged for a couple of weeks and for a brief period during the year it is my wetland habitat. Swamp Paperbarks On My Hobby Farm As luck would have it, not long after purchasing the farm my native nursery supplier was about to throw out several hundred swamp paperbark seedlings (Melaleuca ericifolia). Being pot-bound these overgrown tubes were not saleable and became, free of charge, the wetland plantings. Swamp paperbarks are found along Australian coastal regions thriving in shallow saline or fresh water swamps. Planting Paperbarks Densely After some rain my wetland was densely planted – about 40 centimetres between plants. There has been a good reason for planting the paperbarks so close – in essence due to crowding...
Christmas Tree Growing
Growing Christmas trees has been of interest to me as a way of revegetating the farm and, if I am lucky, as a means to earn a small income. In order to produce luxuriant and perfectly formed trees a great deal of skill and hard work will be required. As with any agricultural enterprise, there are many factors that will influence to success of this venture – luck will probably be one of the most important in my case! Popular Christmas Tree In Australia The most popular type of Christmas tree grown in Australia is the common plantation pine ( Pinus radiata) . This is due to its intense colour, shape, growth rate and of course its strong aroma. Seedlings can be obtained at a relatively cheap price from specialist forestry suppliers, but that is the easy part. A significant amount of time will need to be devoted to...
The Plant Graveyard
Dealing with many dead 10 year old pine trees, the first reaction for most would be to pile them up and set them alight in order to clear the farm. This is not an environmentally friendly option however as it would release all the stored carbon within the plant stems into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide gas. My Experiment – A Plant Graveyard Others would have the dead plant material mulched and spread around the farm in order to increase the level of organic matter in the soil as well as a means to reduce moisture loss from the soil. Not having a tree mulcher, I decided to experiment with the natural processes that occur when plants decompose by constructing a plant graveyard. This is in essence a large compost heap, and if successful much of the dead material will be converted into compost as well as humus where...
Shades Of Grey
There is a good chance that Australian native trees and shrubs with grey foliage have become adapted to dry conditions. One group of native trees and shrubs that have fitted in well on the farm are the smaller and often multi-stemmed gum trees known as the Mallee gums. The Mallee Gums Mallee gums suited to the dry inland areas of Australia often have grey foliage that is more pronounced in the juvenile stages of growth. These gums have become popular with florists for their long lasting foliage as well as decorative buds and fruit capsules. Grey-Leaved Mallee I have planted a small range of the grey-leaved species and have been pleased with the results during the past two years. These trees will not exceed six metres in most cases and can be heavily pruned or coppiced should they become messy in appearance. Having a woody swelling at ground level...
Wind Management
Air movement is essential for good plant growth, reducing the level of fungal growth in crops as well as replacing carbon dioxide used by plants. Damage Due To Excessive Wind Crop growth is stimulated by a gentle breeze, but excessive wind can cause much damage to crops as well as destroying the habitat of beneficial insects and animals on the farm. Excessive wind also increases the amount moisture lost by evaporation from the surface of the soil especially if the soil surface is hard and lacking a layer of mulch. Damage Due To Strong Summer Wind Strong winds combined with high temperatures during summer have seriously influenced the growth of the young trees on the farm. All of the trees planted in exposed areas had plastic tree guard surrounds, however, wind damage to leaves and stems is still apparent. Strong westerly winds have caused trees to lean towards the...