By 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
Read MoreBy Dan Austin
When talking tools for plant propagation, there is no doubt people will have their favourites, not only brands, but gadgets and home engineered hacks. So, if you are coming in green to the industry, it is worth knowing about a few tools of the trade.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Dan Austin
In simple terms, propagation is the multiplication of plants, but just like the vocation of horticulture itself, the subject offers a field of lifelong learning and a range of niche opportunities.
To be a good propagator, a person not only needs to develop a knowledge base of plant physiology and science, but also to hone a range of physical techniques used in the art of plant multiplication.… Continue reading
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Propagation systems should ideally provide growers with desirable traits such as colour and form (Image: John Fitzsimmons)
By John Fitzsimmons
In the greenlife industry, propagation is thought of in many ways. It is an industry segment largely dominated by learned and/or practised people often specialising in particular plant categories or families. It is also an activity carried out by many production nurseries generally.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Dan Austin
Container growing has revolutionised the way we grow, distribute, and utilise plants. Allowing for greater convenience in transport and options for creativity when displaying plants, containers come in all shapes and sizes but choosing the best option can be a challenge.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Dan Austin
As famously pondered by the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, ‘the only constant in life is change’ and as every aspect of our lives, from how we spend our time to where we reside, is changing faster than ever before, so are our gardens.… Continue reading
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Retrofitted grow lights were not enough to save this heavily shaded green wall that no longer exists
By Dan Austin
Over the last twenty years, green architecture has moved ahead in leaps and bounds but it hasn’t been a smooth journey, especially in the case of green walls.
At the dawn of the century, green walls were little more than a curiosity in Australia but as the decade of the noughties rolled on, significant investment started to allow for green walls in both new builds and existing architecture.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Dan Austin
It’s no trade secret that joining multiple industry bodies is one of the most valuable things a person can do for a successful career foundation. On reflection of my own career, the value of belonging to these organisations and being involved has allowed me to reach many milestones along the way.… Continue reading
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