Plant & Garden News

Editorial - Propagating good news

"Growing gardening" has been discussed in previous newsletters (Nos 2 & 3), and the issues of media coverage of gardening and of advertising and marketing for horticultural businesses were raised.

Often, I hear about a new plant, product, award or other piece of news in another media outlet, but in seeking more information find that the relevant website (e.g. business, professional association, amateur society) has not been updated.

Not only does this disappoint and frustrate individuals who might try to follow up on such reports directly (and thus potentially lose sales), but it hampers further coverage on other websites, blogs, social media, traditional media and newsletters like this one. That includes those valuable links to your own website.

Assuming you're able to make simple updates and upload media releases and fact sheets yourself (if having a website designed, be sure to ask about that), it's free publicity for you and your industry.

Mothers Day in the Garden

Of all the gift-giving dates on the calender, Mothers Day (Sunday 13th May, 2012) is perhaps the one with the most potential for garden-themed gifts. Garden books, ladies' tools, hats and gloves, pretty pots - you'll find plenty to choose from in a good garden centre.

If you're taking Mum out for the day, many garden centres also have cafés for a relaxed lunch. The guest of honour can then choose her own gift from the range of plants and accessories on offer.

Alternatively, consider a garden show or open garden (if you live in Qld, check www.calyx.com.au/eventsdiary.html).

	Examples of triple grafted trees, with graft points marked in white. Top: One bud has grown and been cut back while waiting for the others to shoot. Below: It can take some time and management for all buds to reach a balanced stage, which contributes to the cost of a good multigraft

Feature Article

Multigrafted Fruit - A Cocktail on a Tree

Eila and Jean, Noosa Jem, Queensland

Multi-grafted fruit trees are fun and unusual. They're also practical, being great time, space, and water savers.

Noosa Jem specialises in multi-grafted "Citrus Cocktail" trees. The dwarfing root stocks used are resistant to many common citrus diseases and have the ability to tolerate wet and cold conditions. Dwarf trees produce good crops of normal size fruit on a tree of manageable height. They can be planted either in the ground, or in large pots.

The most common misconception about multi-grafts is that they don't work because one of the varieties will "take over". This can be true if the plant is left to its own devices. The solution is simple and easy - prune back the more vigorous graft until the other(s) have caught up.

Of course, it's important to start with a well-produced tree with strong, stable and balanced growth.

You could have an orange tree with three different varieties that fruit at different times, giving a longer harvest period and avoiding a glut. Or, you could have a tree which produces limes and tangelos at the same time!

The creative gardener, or one with a small balcony space or limited space along a fence, could espalier a multi-graft with different varieties trained to grow in different directions.

If you want to grow a wide variety of fruit but have limited space or you just like to try something unusual, a dwarfing multi grafted tree could be for you.

The Virtual Garden Tourist

While not exactly the same as being there, it's possible to explore many great gardens of the world and catch up with international trends at garden shows by paying a virtual visit through your computer monitor. Avoid the airports, cost and crowds by checking out the following websites.

Chelsea Flower Show 2012: The world's most celebrated garden event will be on again from 22th to 26th May and is usually extensively covered online. Try:
RHS Chelsea Flower Show Official website
Chelsea Flower Show 2012 The Telegraph, UK
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the BBC website

Floriade 2012: This World Horticultural Expo, which is held in the Netherlands only once every 10 years, is running from 5th April to 7th October in 2012. Take a look at the online gallery:
Floriade 2012

The Science of Horticulture

We tend to consider water loss from plants as a bad thing, especially when we're trying to keep them alive during a drought. In the discussion of stomates last time, however, it was suggested that release of water vapour through them wasn't completely detrimental.

So, how can this process - transpiration - help the average plant?

Water transport: Water travels over distance in the pipe-like xylem tissues of stems and leaf veins, but normal capillary action is not sufficient to take it to the top of a tall tree. Water evaporating from the leaf creates a suction-like force which helps draw water up from the roots. As water is pulled from the root, the resultant differential (along with other root processes) in turn helps draw water from the soil.

Nutrient uptake and distribution: Some plant nutrients are able to enter the root and be carried to aerial plants parts in the transpiration stream.

Temperature regulation: Evaporation from the leaf cools it, which helps prevent damage and facilitate cellular processes under high ambient temperatures.

Transpiration is a part of plants' adaptation to a life on land. The significance of the above processes again demonstrate the importance of an adequate water supply (and healthy, well-developed roots) to achieving vigorous growth and maximum crop yields.