A fallen branch wound is only one step in the creation of nesting hollows that may take over one hundred years to form
By Dan Austin
There is nothing so lonesome, morbid or drear, than to stand with a view of a landscape with no trees. It doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as the Slim Dusty classic “Pub with no beer” but the sentiment is spot on.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Dan Austin
For many of us, the arrival of 2023 presented an exciting opportunity to celebrate, after a lengthy period mired by COVID19, and hopefully, a chance to recharge for the year ahead. However, while clearing pandemic clouds and a new year have been cause for celebration, the horticultural world continues to face numerous challenges.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Daniel Austin
Vocational Education and Training (VET) is seen in all sorts of shapes and forms across Australia, from traditional Technical and Further Education (TAFE) colleges to private Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and a myriad of online training options. So why is it that today, quality horticultural staff are so hard to come by?… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Dan Austin
Like many fields, a career in horticulture brings with it the need to learn a whole new language. Whether it is our range of industry-specific tools, plant cultural techniques or botanical terminology, there’s no way around it – without a good grasp of professional language, you’re likely to run into trouble.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Dan Austin
As one of the most biodiverse locations on the planet, the South Western Australian Floristic Region draws in plant enthusiasts from across the nation, and the world, for a chance to glimpse something special from the area’s extraordinary botanical palette.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Scott H. Smith
Now and again discoveries happen that change the field of horticulture. In a recent study by Reeves et al. (2022, p.286) it was concluded that “all seed-bearing plant lineages have the competency to graft.” Until now this had never been proven and was widely believed to be impossible.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Dan Austin
For most landscaping projects, the most significant costs regarding living elements are those incurred through the inclusion of established ornamental trees, and rightly so, because when buying established trees, we are buying time as well as a plant,
With such costs surrounding the purchase of nursery-grown trees, it’s worth taking the time to inspect your investment to ensure you are going to get value for your money for decades into the future.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Dan Austin
It is an unfortunate reality that to help us remember things easily, sometimes topics are over-simplified. The five food groups and the proportions we were told to eat growing up for example. Teachings that were simple but have since been adjusted, and found to be far more complex or even downright wrong.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Daniel Austin
It’s a process that can influence your garden in all sorts of ways, from the appearance of fruit to the impact of the irksome aphid, but what is parthenogenesis?
In simple terms, parthenogenesis is the spontaneous development of an embryo without fertilisation, and it occurs widely in both the plant and animal kingdoms.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Karen Smith
Fifty years after the first meeting of plant propagators under the banner of the International Plant Propagators Society, the IPPS returned to the Blue Mountains in NSW to celebrate the ongoing success of the society. The two years since the last conference did nothing to lessen the camaraderie and goodwill shared between members.… Continue reading
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