Friday, September 20, 2024

International Plant Propagation Society

Small skirt of Carissa macrocarpa ‘Green Carpet’ can be seen remaining after reverting to an upright form
International Plant Propagation Society

The ongoing quest for stable and desirable cultivars

By Dan Austin

In a world where ongoing taxonomical changes are making it increasingly hard for the average horticulturist to keep up, we are also faced with an ever-increasing range of cultivars. The plant palette available in Australia in 2021 is enough to make your head spin but as a gardener, there is probably not a more appealing problem to be faced with.Continue reading

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Sap flow meter used to gauge water use in trees
International Plant Propagation Society

The influence of Agtech – from our food supply chain to our forests

By Dan Austin

There is no denying that the horticultural landscape has changed in Australia and across the world, as technology advances faster than anyone could have imagined.

Whether it is a drone hovering above a broad acre farm using infrared imaging to assess the health of the crop, a revolving laser tower acting as a scarecrow, or the irrigator using sophisticated probes and software to determine soil moisture and calculate appropriate watering scheduling, agtech has revolutionised the way we grow plants from propagation to harvest.… Continue reading

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Controlled-release-prills-regulate-the-release-of-readily-available-chemical-fertilisers
International Plant Propagation SocietyPropagation

Navigating the world of soil fertility

By Dan Austin

Fertile soil is key to healthy plants but how do you navigate the world of soil ameliorants when there are so many products out there?

Whether taking the form of a mineral mix, foliar feed, humic acid, mycorrhizae, slow release prills, fish emulsion or seaweed extract, it can be overwhelming navigating the world of soil fertility when all you want to do is produce healthy plants.… Continue reading

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Wandering Lilac (Hardenbergia violacea) (Image: Suzette Hosken)
International Plant Propagation Society

Using plant selection as a tool for butterfly conservation

By Tyson Felix –

It’s certainly not a revelation that pollinator species are under increasing strain in recent years. It’s a topic that has been keeping people up late at night and while there is an impressive diversity of insects of value that frequent the garden, none seem to hold a place in our hearts as much as butterflies.Continue reading

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