By Denis Crawford
It’s been a while (May 2019) since I wrote about the biochemical arms race being waged between plants and insects, and how some insects co-opt certain plant chemicals for their own purposes. Recent research has uncovered some particularly intriguing adaptations.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Clive Larkman
The essential oil market is huge and growing rapidly, with an expected value of $US10 billion by 2025. Some reports are even predicting that it could be in excess of $US20 billion by 2027. This increase has its roots in a range of reasons, one of which is COVID-19, but overall, the whole sector is expanding.… Continue reading
Read MoreLabel: Brachychiton ‘Griffith Pink’
ACRA Registration 268 (October 1986)
Family: Malvaceae
Origin: Brachychiton ‘Griffith Pink’ is a hybrid between B. discolor and B. populneus. It is thought that this cultivar originated in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. The actual place of origin of this cultivar is obscure, as checking with herbaria in Queensland and NSW revealed a collection at Condong, NSW (near Tweed River) on alluvial flats.… Continue reading
Read MoreLabel: Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘University’
ACRA Registration 143 (November 1982)
Family: Myrtaceae
Origin: Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘University’ is a form of Chamelaucium uncinatum originally selected from plants growing at the University of Western Australia by the late Oliver J Dowell. It has been grown commonly in cultivation since the early 1960’s.… Continue reading
Read MoreThe effect of COVID-19 has been a dampener on public gatherings but to the credit of the Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH), where there’s a will there’s a way. The usual awards for 2020 were broken into manageable chunks and conducted when and where possible.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy John Fitzsimmons
Plant communities or mixed plantings, whatever you call them, are incredibly popular right now. It’s exciting seeing the work being done to show the public just what’s possible – evocative, romantic, instead of the block plantings or module-based plantings often used.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Michael Casey
We use mulch and compost products all the time, from applying them to our finished landscapes and gardens, through to large scale urban farms and agricultural settings. However, do we really know what it is we are mixing into, or adding to our soils?… Continue reading
Read MoreBy 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
Read MoreThe AIPH International Plant Health Survey 2021 reveals the promise of a bio-secure future for the ornamental horticultural industry. It shows a strong commitment to plant health systems, with scope for an international framework.
The survey was part of the International Year of Plant Health 2020 and in response to growing concerns about biosecurity worldwide, and the ornamental horticulture industry’s duty to sustainability.… Continue reading
Read MoreBACKGROUND: In the recent Greenlife Market Analysis Report, water security was rated as one of the top four (4) industry issues. This is not a surprise as access to and water use efficiency are always top of mind for nursery business owners and managers.… Continue reading
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