Since 2008, Hort Journal Australia has helped the industry work smarter by sharing ideas, case studies, research and practical experience. Sadly, this issue is our last, for reasons our publisher, Gabe Mostafa, explains eloquently in his letter to you, ‘With thanks and farewell’, in these pages.… Continue reading
Read MoreI am writing to let you know that Hort Journal Australia will cease publication after the June 2026 issue.
This has not been an easy decision. A combination of factors has made it increasingly difficult to continue. In particular, the late effects of polio are now significantly affecting my ability to travel, attend industry events, and maintain the connections that have always been so important to the magazine.… Continue reading
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Gabe Mostafa (left) witnessing Gary Smith being taken into hand during the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS) conference dinner held in the old Fremantle Prison (Image: Karen Smith)
By Karen Smith
Honouring the magazine that served the industry for almost two decades.
When I heard Hort Journal Australia was closing, I felt deeply saddened. Alongside Gabe Mostafa and John Fitzsimmons, the magazine had been a big part of my life since its beginning in July 2008.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy John Corban
Over the last few months, the Middle East conflict has contributed to rising mortgage rates and surging fuel prices, and an AI revolution is reshaping the way businesses operate globally. It is fair to say there is some uncertainty for homeowners and business owners alike.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Tania Harman and Daniel Knox
This article is the third in our Successful Grant Writing series for horticulture businesses, grower groups and researchers. In Article One, we focused on the strategic foundations of a competitive application: the right project, at the right time, for the right program1.… Continue reading
Read MoreA free, levy-funded diagnostic service is helping Australian production nurseries identify plant health issues earlier, avoid costly misdiagnoses, and reduce losses from pests and diseases.
By replacing trial-and-error decision-making with laboratory-confirmed results, the service is giving growers more confidence in how—and when— to act.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Daniel Fuller
Machine pruning is the standard in commercial landscape maintenance. Very rarely are plants given a chance to be pruned selectively by highly skilled operators; instead, plants are generally hedge-pruned or left in their natural shape, which will often get leggy or too large, and end up hedge-pruned anyway even if that was not the original design intent.… Continue reading
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One of the show highlights was an impromptu session in the Richgro Knowledge Centre, where the scheduled solo 'in conversation' sessions evolved into a combined session with ABC TV’s Gardening Australia presenters, Hannah Moloney and Josh Byrne (Image: Krystle Ricci)
By Lisa Passmore
There are events that simply feel good from the moment you arrive, and the Perth Garden Show 2026 was certainly one of them. Three days of glorious autumn sunshine, with just a sprinkle of rain that fell mostly overnight, set the perfect scene, and with many visitors returning across the weekend, the show delivered everything a garden lover could hope for, and more.… Continue reading
Read MoreSoils and growing media are critical to plant health as they support roots while supplying the water, air and nutrients plants need for healthy growth. They also influence drainage, moisture balance and pH, so poor soil or growing media can limit plant performance even when other conditions are favourable.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Gabrielle Stannus
Despite some wet and windy weather, the 2026 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show drew an impressive 108,672 attendees over five days at the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens. Your intrepid editor braved the rain to bring you this roundup of this annual industry event, focussing on the gardens on display, and the plants found within them, including some old favourites and new discoveries.… Continue reading
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