By 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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
Small skirt of Carissa macrocarpa ‘Green Carpet’ can be seen remaining after reverting to an upright form
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
Read MoreBy 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
Read More
