Jacky Winter, Loofahs and Alocasias

We’re talking about a small brown native bird with a lovely voice in Wildlife in Focus, growing something we can use to wash with; in Vegetable Heroes. Choosing a tropical look in plant of the week and getting back into indoor plants in design elements.

WILDLIFE IN FOCUS

Jacky Winter:Microeca fascinans

If someone asked you what bird sings loudly from high trees that sounds like a whistling call "chwit-chwit-chwit-queeter-queeter-queeter", would you hazard a guess or be completely in the dark?
This bird happens to be Jacky Winter and is almost sparrow like in its appearance, weighing only 15 grams.

Jacky Winter

Let’s find out more?
I'm talking with Dr Holly Parsons from www.birdsinbackyards.org.au

Native to Australia, Jacky Winter is widespread in open woodland , preferring bare ground, rural towns and peri-urban areas.

An insect eating bird that dars out from its perch onto open ground but then flies back to that same perch or perhaps another nearby.

Very acrobat in the way they chase their insect prey.

Jacky Winter builds a cup shaped nest which is often positioned on a dead branch so it blends in better.

Bird Calls:
Bird call recognition can be tricky, especially if there’s no chance of seeing the bird, but have no fear.
There are apps for your mobile phone which allows you to record the call and it will identify it for you.
There’s even one called Shazam.
 If you have any questions for me or for Holly email us at rea.worldgardener@gmail.com.Or
you can write in to 2RRR PO Box 644, Gladesville NSW 1675

VEGETABLE HEROES

Loofah or Gourd: Lagenaria siceraria

Gourds, not Gawd but Gourds those funny shaped vegetables that provide more that just food.

 from the Cucurbitaceae family.

According to one website there is a claim “that Gourds are the worlds most versatile vegetable?”

• Did you know that Gourds have been around since 7000 BC and are thought to originate from Africa not far from the Sahara or even India? 
• Here’s something you didn’t realise, Because seed can germinate after 7 months in seawater, it’s thought that the spread of this plant was from just floating around in the ocean.

Gourds are a bit of a mystery as to why they grow some many shapes, textures and sizes.

A bit like the mystery that evolved in my garden.

Mystery in my garden

• I couldn’t remember planting loofah and when the vine grew I noted the somewhat different yellow flower, almost like flowers of cucumbers but not.
• Then when this long green fruit grew, I thought, maybe I mistakenly planted zucchini.
• When quite a number of these fruits grew to about 30 cm long, I decided to try one. It was horrible, in fact more than horrible, yuk. 
• Then a friend visited and pointed out that I was growing loofahs.
• Ah yes, now I remember.
• She said the only time to eat them was when they were really small because after that they become bitter. Got it.

Loofah of course is in the gourd family.

Did you know that that some loofahs or gourds can grow to as long as 2m?

They are so easy to grow, whether you are a gardener or a beginner, gourds have something to offer everyone.

If you can grow pumpkins, then you can grow gourds.

You may even have fun discovering the different shapes and colours.

When to sow

• In tropical climates, they grow all year round, so those gardeners can have 2 crops of gourds every year.
• For the rest of Australia, it depends what part of Australia you live in, normally from Spring (mid September to early December) after the danger of frost has passed.
• In temperate climates, sow the seed when temperatures are around 20⁰C to 30⁰C.
• In colder climates this means waiting until summer weather has come.

Text books say that to grow Gourds or loofahs, soak the seeds overnight in lukewarm water.

I don’t remember doing this so it mustn’t be essential.

Sow the seeds in mounds of well composted soil about 30cm ( a ruler length) apart. 

The seeds should be planted around 2 cm deep.

Growing luffa requires a certain amount of patience.

 It's not a typical garden plant.

It grows slower than most gourds.

Add some organic pellets of fertiliser to the planting hole, and back fill with some more of the same fertiliser.

The Loofah vines can grow 30 feet(10m) long over the course of a growing season but you can trim it.

•  Once the fruits form it may take a long time to fully develop fibre and dry for harvest.

Then the work of picking, peeling, and cleaning happens late in the year.

Luffa needs about 140 to 200 or more warm frost free days, depending on the location and variety grown.

• Mine grew into winter then my friend said, bring them inside and dry them.
• If you’re interested in growing loofah in Cool temperate areas, start the seeds off in pots, well before the last frost, that way you can extend your growing season.
• It needs lots of sun, warmth, water, good root nutrients, and a large strong trellis.
• The vines will grow on the ground on a well drained weed-free flat surface but tend to produce curved loofahs.
• Luffa can also be grown in pots as can all other Gourds, but make them at least 30cm wide.
• It’s also a good idea to stop the plant growing when it reaches about 1.5m by pruning off the tip.
• This also increases the number of Loofah fruits that you get off your vine.

When the weather heats up, add layers of sugar cane mulch or something similar so the plant doesn’t dry out. Or you may lose your Gourd or in this case Loofah!

• Tip: Gourd plants don’t transplant that well, so either use one of those pots made from coco peat, or a jiffy pot, that can be planted into the soil, or plant them where you want them to grow.

Because they’re a climbing plant, train the stems onto trees, over fences, that garden shed, or frames with 15cm mesh netting.

If your area doesn’t have high rainfall of between 800-1200mm per year, don’t worry, you still can grow gourds as long as you keep them well watered.

To keep them growing well, add a liquid feed of fish emulsion, or worm tea every three weeks.

One problem you may get, and it’s the same with pumpkins is lack of fruit set.

The separate male and female flowers may come out at the wrong time, or it’s cloudy, windy rainy when they come out, and that will mean the mainly bee pollinators won’t visit them.

Try some hand pollination. That’ll work.

Hand pollination is a very simple procedure.

It simply involves shaking or tapping pollen from the male flower (that you have picked) over the female flower. You can pollinate several female flowers with just one male flower.

It’s very easy to tell male from female flowers as the female flower will have the small gourd shape below the flower, and the male flower grows on a stem without the ball shape below the flower.

The flower, by the way is a single perfumed white or yellow flower that opens in the evenings and only lasts for one night.

Vines will start growing fruit after 3-4 months,

When to pick your loofah is the big question.

If the skin feels loose like it will come off easily, then it's ready.
The loofah gourd will also have changed from green to brown  or even yellow and feels a lot lighter.

The skin feels loose and thinner when they are ready to pick.

• In my case it was hanging on and staying green, so my friend said ,it’s big enough, time to let it dry inside the house. If it feels like it can be peeled easily then it’s ready.
  
  

  

  Peeling Your Loofah photo M. Cannon

• The bottom tip of the luffa pod can be broken off and many seeds can be shaken out before peeling. Seeds should be allowed to dry before storing so they don't get mouldy.
• Peel your loofah, give it a bit of a wash under the tap and let it dry in the sun.
• Loofahs can be kept for years as long as they’re dry and dust free.
• "Imagine!" being able to grow your own bath sponge!
• Yes, that’s right those expensive sponges used for exfoliating while bathing or showering-Luffa Cylcindrica?

 Are gourds edible?

Some people eat the gourd fruit when it is very young.

However as the fruit matures it has a sour, bitter taste. It’s really bad, believe me.

Apparently the young fruits are rich in Pectin and are popular in tropical Africa and Asia in stews and curries.

If you were interested in eating them •they are low in Saturated Fat, and Cholesterol, and high in dietary fibre, Vitamin C, Riboflavin, Zinc, Thiamin, Iron, Magnesium and Manganese.

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Alocasia species

For an instant tropical feel, plants with large leaves are one of the main choices.
Some of these belong in the Alocasia family originating from a bulb or rhizome.
But will they grow in your district.

Alocasia amazonica

Let’s find out
That was Jeremy Critchley www.thegreengallery.com.au

Jeremy mentioned these varieties of Alocasi to watch out for.

Alocasia macrorrhiza, Alocasia zebrina and Alocasia amazonica, are all outstanding cultivars.
The latter has very dark green leaves with prominent veins, edged in white, while the back of the leaf is purple.
Slow growing but hates the cold.
Jeremy thinks that it looks a bit like an African mask.
Don’t be like me and forgot they die down in winter.
Luckily I didn’t throw it out.

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Indoor Plants for Warm Climates
The most important elements required for healthy houseplants include light, water, temperature and humidity.
If any or all of these factors aren’t properly met, your houseplants will inevitably suffer.
You might be sweltering under the fans in the heat of a subtropical summer but what about your indoor plants?

Dieffenbachia

Can they cope or is this the climate where they thrive the best?
So let’s find out more in this new series on indoor plants.
I'm talking with Julia Levitt, Landscape Designer and Director of www.sticksandstonesld.com.au

The good news is that tropical plants usually enjoy warmer conditions and don’t perform well once indoor temperatures fall below 13-16 C.
Plus they like a lot of humidity, that means at least 50%, but better at 70% or more.
Most of the tropical, ornamental indoor plants with attractive foliage & colourful leaf patterns are suitable for hot & humid climates.
For example Dieffenbachia or Dumb Cane, Dracaena, house ferns of many kinds, Tricolor plant, snake plant, Philodendron, Money plant, Syngonium etc

Keeping Goats and Growing Tropicals and Aloe Vera

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Indoor Plant Series part 2

Phaelenopsis orchid

Indoor plants for warm climates.
So you live in a climate that's warm all year round.

Does that mean you need to grow anything indoors?

True, you can grow almost anything indoors in tropical and subtropical climates, as well as outdoors too. 

All you need to remember ks that the most important elements required for healthy houseplants include light, water, temperature and humidity.

If any or all of these factors aren’t properly met, your houseplants will inevitably suffer.

You might be sweltering under the fans in the heat of a subtropical summer but what about your indoor plants?

Can they cope or is this the climate where they thrive the best?

So let’s find out more in this new series on indoor plants.

I'm talking with Julia Levitt, Landscape Designer and Director of www.sticksandstonesld.com.au

The good news is that tropical plants usually enjoy warmer conditions and don’t perform well once indoor temperatures fall below 13⁰-16⁰C.

Indoor plants

Plus they like a lot of humidity, that means at least 50%, but better at 70% or more.
Most of the tropical, ornamental indoor plants with attractive foliage & colourful leaf patterns are suitable for hot & humid climates.
For example Dieffenbachia or Dumb Cane, Dracaena, house ferns of many kinds, Tricolor plant, snake plant, Philodendron, Money plant, Syngonium etc

If you have any questions about indoor plants why not email us realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

VEGETABLE HEROES

 Aloe vera 

The botanical name of Aloe vera is Aloe barbadensis Miller. 

It belongs to the Ass-fodd-elacey (Asphodelaceae) family which has a subgroup (Liliaceae) whose members are also the lily plants as well as onions and garlic.
Did you know that people used Aloe vera at least 6,000 years ago in Egypt?

Known as the “plant of immortality,” Aloe vera was depicted on stone carvings and was presented as a burial gift to deceased pharaohs.

So where did the name come from?
Aloe vera derives from the Arabic word “Alloeh” meaning “shining bitter substance,” while “vera” in Latin means “true.”

Did you know that the word Aloe in Sanskrit means Goddess?

Not surprisingly, because of aloe’s well-known healing properties for the skin, aloe is one of the primary compounds used in the cosmetic industry.
There are even Aloe vera drinks that you can buy, or you can use the juice straight from the plant.
Aloe leaves contain a clear gel that is often used as a topical ointment.

The yellow sap that oozes from the base of the leaf when it is cut is called bitter aloes.

This bitter sap when dried is called latex and contains contains Ann-Thrak-Quinn-Owns (anthraquinones), used quite a lot in medicines that act as a strong laxative.

Be warned though, don’t feel you can make your own oral medicines from Aloe and I’m not recommending that you drink the gel straight from the leaf either unlike a vlogger that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago.

The reason is because not only is aloe vera juice pungent to taste, but there’s no scientific evidence that drinking the juice does anything.

On the other hand, Aloe plants improve air quality, and when grown in pots inside the house, help remove toxins from the atmosphere.

So what is Aloe vera?
Aloe vera isn’t a cactus but a low growing spreading, xerophytic, succulent.

It grows mainly in the dry regions of Africa, the Arabian peninsula and nearby islands such as the Canary Islands and Madagascar.

Not to be confused with other ornamental Aloes, Aloe vera has triangular light green fleshy leaves with serrated edges, but also with elongated pale creamy white spots on the leaves.

The Aloe plant is grown in warm tropical areas and because the leaves consist of 95% water, they’re extremely frost tender.

However the root can survive freezing air temperatures, so long as the ground is not frozen and the root destroyed.

On the other hand, Aloe vera doesn’t grow all that big and can be easily moved indoors in colder climates if outside temperatures are less than 5°C.

Place it near a sunny windowsill and it will survive for a few weeks or a couple of months if it needs to.

On the upside, for those gardeners living in warm climates, Aloe vera can cope with temperatures in the high 30’s and can even withstand severe drought.

Don’t water during the winter months if your plant is able to grow outdoors because it’s practically dormant.

Aloe vera tolerates either full or partial sun for at least 8 – 10 hours a day, but will require a little more frequent watering in full sun.

If you’re area receives a lot of rain, you may find that the plant turns to mush so move it under cover.

During the summer months, the soil should be completely soaked, but then be allowed to dry again before re-watering.

If you’re growing your Aloe vera in a pot, because Aloes have a shallow, spreading root system, when it‘s time to repot, choose a wide container, rather than a deep one.

Always use planters or containers with a drainage hole, or put a 3-4 cm layer of gravel in the bottom of the pot so it receives sufficient drainage. Use a good commercial potting mix with extra perlite, charcoal, or coarse sand added.
Or you could use a packaged 'cacti mix' soil.

Fertilising is only necessary once a year in spring but use only half strength. Aloe plants have relatively short roots and heavy leaves, so it’s best to move your plant to a heavier pot when they become top-heavy and tip over.

Aloe vera produces pups that can be re-potted

If Aloe vera runs out of space for its roots to grow, it may start to produce "pups" that can be moved to their own pot .
New Aloe Vera plants are grown by removing these offsets which are produced around the base of mature plants, when they are about 5 - 7cm tall (or larger). They can also be grown from seed.

Has your Aloe vera ever flowered?
Keeping an Aloe vera plant at home is one of the easiest ways to get the freshest and most concentrated gel.
If the leaves start getting burnt on hot days, you ‘ll definitely need to move your plant to a location with light shade.
If the leaves are growing flat and low, that means the need more sunlight. Aloe vera leaves should grow upward or outward at an angle, toward the sunlight.
Growing low to the ground or growing flat outward, is an indication that the plant is probably not receiving enough sun.

Move it to a sunnier area.
If it’s indoors, consider keeping it outdoors during daylight hours.
If the leaves turn yellow or fall apart, stop watering.
Yellowed or "melting" leaves are suffering due to excess water.
Stop watering altogether for the next week (or two weeks during the dormant season), and water less often after that.
You can remove the discoloured leaves from the plant without doing any damage.
Remember, water it only when the soil has become dry.
Using aloe vera gel, that’s the inner portion of the leaf, topically is OK straight from the leaf.

TIP: To use the gel, break off a leaf and cut it lengthwise to expose the inner layer.

Aloe vera gel

Scoop the gel out and apply generously to the area needing treatment. Discard whatever gel is not used immediately, as it will degenerate quickly.

Why is it good for you?
Aloe Vera contains many vitamins including A, C, E, folic acid, choline, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B6. Aloe Vera is also one of the few plants that contains vitamin B12.
Soothes and heals sunburns because it contains cooling properties similar to menthol.
Takes the sting or itch out of insect bites.
Use it on those joints that have osteoarthritis.
Aloe gel has not been shown to prevent burns from radiation therapy. AND WAS YOUR VEGETABLE HERO FOR TODAY

THE GOOD EARTH

Keeping Goats with Robyn Rosenfeldt editor of PIP permaculture magazine
Have you ever kept a sheep goat or pig in your backyard in suburbia?
Sounds a bit far fetched but I do remember see a couple of sheep keeping the lawn down in the front yard of near where I used to live which was only 8km from the CBD.
So what questions should you ask yourself about goat keeping and why would you want to anyway?
What are the benefits?
First why keep a goat or two in suburbia?
How much space do you need for say 2 goats?
Do You Want to Keep Goats So That You Will Never Have to Mow Your Lawn?
If so, think again. Goats will eat your rosebushes clean, carefully devouring every single leaf and flower. However, they’re not going to mow your lawn.
They’ll nibble at grass here and there in a sort of unorganized fashion, creating a look very similar to Rod Stewart’s hairstyle.
How much work is involved? Ie milking, feeding, building a goat pen?
Do goats make good pets?
Do I need to exercise my goat and take my goats for a walk?

What information does the prospective goat buyer need before getting their first goat?

I'm talking with Robyn Rosenfeldt, editor of PIP magazine  to answer all these questions and more.

PLANT OF THE WEEK

FOXGLOVE HYBRIDS

DIGITALIS DIGPLEXIS

If you’ve ever been to an international flower show in the northern hemisphere, chances are you turn green with envy when you see how easily these flowers can be grown.

These are tall plants that hover above most other flowering annuals you have in the garden but breeders have gone to the trouble of creating a sort of intergeneric hybrid that flowers for several months instead of several weeks. 

Of course the flowers are magnificent, so let’s find out what it is.

PLAY: Digiplexis digitalis_19th July 2017

I'm talking with Karen Smith editor of  Hort Journal Magazine
www.hortjournal.com.au

Unlike standard foxgloves, which produce a single terminal spike, ‘Illumination Flame’ will develop several flower spikes simultaneously.

To get more flower spikes and a more bushy plant, just pinch or tip prune the stems.

Plant breeders also recommend because it’s a vigorous tall plant, that if you do want to grow it in a pot, choose a fairly big one.

If you have any questions about this Foxgloves or foxxies as some like to call them, email us realworldgardener@gmail.com