Lilly Oh Lilly

TUNE IN TO SYDNEY GARDEN TALK with MARIANNE
SATURDAYS 12 noon-1PM 2RRR 88.5FM
Today's show was about Cottage Gardens and how good Salvias perform in Sydney. Marion talked about Savlia chiapensis, a nice compact salvia with rounded glossy green leaves and bright cerise flowers.

Caller question on Lilly Pilly Psyllid

What are Pimple Pysillids? Not some dreadful form of acne that afflicts gardeners, but that lumpy bumpy leaf caused by the lilly pilly psyllid (Trioza eugeniae).

Trioza is a tiny native insect related to cicadas, that in its first stage of growth when the psyllids or nymphs are quite tiny, feed inside the leaves. They settle in one spot then embed themselves in the leaf, forming a lump or pimple. It looks ghastly because it usually affects all new growth and it’s the last thing you want to see on your stylish hedge or topiary. Some lilly pillies won’t ever get pimple psyllid like all varieties of Acmena smithii and Syzygium luehmannii the weeping Lilly Pilly.
Can be controlled with a thorough spray of Confider about every month.

Vegetable Hero: Pumpkin from the cucurbitaceae family. I cup of cooked pumpkin has 2g of protein and 12g of carbs! Plenty of beta carotene though to help comabt efects of aging like Alzheimers.

Pumpkin seed needs a soil temperature of 20˚C for germination. You can either sow them individually in 10cm pots and plant when pots are filled with roots.

Or, sow seed or plant seedlings into mounds of rich compost made over loosened soil. Plants take 70–120 days to mature.
Pumpkins are shallow-rooted they need regular watering in dry or windy weather. Even moisture helps prevent fruit splitting.
Pumpkins produce short-lived male and female flowers that can close by mid-morning. Female flowers open above the swollen, distinctive embryo fruit and male flowers produce pollen. If the embryo fruit falls off, that usually means it didn’t get pollinated.

Plant of the Week: Lillium longliflorum or November Lillies
Plant bulbs in Autumn:
All Liliums can be grown very successfully in containers too, just choose a size and shape of container that will complement the height of the flowers without looking out of proportion. Make sure that the container has excellent drainage, and can easily accommodate the bulbs without them touching the sides of the pot. Use the best quality potting mix you can buy, preferably one with a slow release fertiliser. Plant your bulbs, water them in, and then water regularly once they are actively growing, During the warmer months, keep an eye on the pots to ensure they don`t completely dry out on hot days.
Events this week:

Wed 18 Nov. 2pm - 4pm, Woolwich Walk led by local identity Phil Jenkyn. This walk includes Woolwich Dock, Clarkes Point and Kellys Bush. Meet at Woolwich Lookout, cnr Woolwich Rd and Gale St., Woolwich. Hunters Hill Historical Society. Enquires 9817-2677

More events on http://www.huntershill.com.au/

Saturday 21 November, 2-4pm. Royal Botanic Gardens. Friend & Foe South African Plant talk and walk. Explore the popular garden plants and some potential weeds that originate from South Africa. Bookings essential. $15. Phone 9231 8134. Meet at the Maiden Theatre.

Saturday 21 November; 11am – 1.30pm G ladesville Hospital and Priory Walk led by Peter Colthorpe, chair of Friends of Gladesville Hospital. Meet at The Priory, 2 Salter St., Gladesville. Gold coin donation for repairs to The Priory. Bookings and enquiries 0434 673 101

Now until 31 Dec - Remove invasive vines and receive free native plants. Nasties include Morning Glory, blackberry, tradescantia (ex-wandering Jew). The aim is to provide habitats for small native birds in shrubs and groundcover.
LOCATION: Hunter's Hill Council
CONTACT NAME: Bushland & Natural Resources Officer, Kerry Heatley PHONE: 9879 9439

Maria rang with details of her brother's website about his garden in Belgium!
http://www.casa-mediterano.be/