We prune to enhance growth, improve flower and fruit quality, to rid plants of diseased or broken growth, or simply to keep them neat and in check. Don’t prune anything and everything in winter, which some still regard as major pruning time. Many spring-, and summer-flowering deciduous shrubs set flower buds on the previous season’s new growth, so, if pruned in winter, you are literally cutting off the forthcoming flowering season’s potential blooms.
General pruning tips
Prune back any unwieldy or untidy growth tips with a pair of sharp secateurs to maintain a tidy growth habit.
Cut back fast-growing flowering shrubs immediately after flowering with a pair of short-handled lopping shears. Often they are best taken down to almost ground level.
Prune hedges and topiaries with a pair of sharp hedge shears. Topiaries should be trimmed lightly all year long to keep their pretty shapes, and the same goes for hedges too. The less volume that is removed at any one pruning session, the healthier it is for the plants. All hedges should be shaped so that the bottom is slightly wider than the top of the hedge as this allows the sun to get to the bottom, thus avoiding bare or dead patches at the base.
Regularly remove any suckers or unwanted lower branches on standard roses and trees at ground level with a curved pruning saw.
Often large, overgrown or stressed-out shrubs benefit from a severe pruning that takes them down to knee level. This seems to give such a plant a new lease on life. Don’t be afraid to carry out this procedure – most shrubs recover swiftly, developing into a lush plant.
Pruning ornamental trees
Dead or unwanted branches must be removed from the trunk of a tree with a sharp pruning saw. The recommended method is to make the first cut on the underside of the branch, about 10cm away from the main stem, cutting about halfway through the branch. Start the second cut on the upper side of the branch, a few millimetres further away from the main stem than the first cut. Saw through until the branch falls; this leaves behind a short stump. Cut this stump off close to the main stem, using a quick sawing motion. This triple cut method will ensure a hygienic and tidy pruning wound.
Pruning conifers
Winter is the correct time to give conifers a light pruning with a sharp pair of hedge shears. This encourages fresh new spring growth and maintains the neat, symmetrical shape of the plant. It also assists in keeping the conifers at more manageable sizes.
Pruning evergreen shrubs
Evergreen shrubs need to be pruned and maintained on a regular basis, and winter is often the most appropriate opportunity to undertake these tasks simply because there is free time available.
LECHUZA will help make your orchids thrive! We’ll explain what to consider when caring for an orchid and how you can simply repot the plant in an appropriate LECHUZA planter. In addition, we’ll give you some professional tricks from our LECHUZA expert.
Orchidology – The Basics Most orchids that you can buy in a shop are called epiphytes. In their natural habitat, you would typically find them on trees in the rainforest. This includes the genera Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Oncidium, Dendrobium, and Miltonia. It is easy to decide what an orchid needs by considering its natural environment. They do not like soil, stagnant moisture, or too much fertilizer. In the end, this matches the nutrients they would find on a tree. Please Note: Plant your orchid only in PON! When repotting, free the root ball completely from pieces of wood and bark, so that the roots can breath freely in the substrate. LECHUZA-PON is made from pumice, zeolites, lava, and a fertilizer. It ensures optimal air circulation around the roots and stores water and nutrients!
Orchids like light Not all of them can bear direct sunlight though. A window sill facing the east or west would be ideal. Too much water is dangerous! Orchids are prone to root rot. Being descendant from the rainforest, most orchids love high air humidity, but cannot bear stagnant moisture near their roots. Fertilize Correctly Because of the long lasting fertilizer contained in LECHUZA-PON, you don’t need to fertilize your plant for up to one year. After that, a standard fertilizer can be added to the water. Expert Tips We’ve asked our LECHUZA expert for some professional tips regarding orchid care: LECHUZA is a system that simplifies watering – you can easily water a lot less than with regular planters. That’s how it works: fill the water directly into the water supply shaft. If there is no shaft available, pour carefully over the PON. Fill the water reservoir half way or completely, depending on the size and thirst of your orchid. The water from the reservoir is being transported up to the roots through the wick because of the capillarity of the PON and evaporation. When the water is completely used up, maintain a dry phase up to one week. The PON saves lots of water and gives it to the plant during this time. Should the leaves of the orchid become droopy in the meantime, just fill the water reservoir straight away.
Water Less is more! With the support of the LECHUZA sub-irrigation-system the roots supply themselves without standing in water. Our expert suggests to mist some water over the orchid’s leaves. This imitates their natural habitat and creates a comfortable humidity level in the air around the tropical plant. Orchids prefer lime-free water (e.g. rain water).
Location If you like to place your orchid in direct sunlight, you can acclimate it with some patience. Most orchids are raised in greenhouses and hardly exposed to any sunlight, which means that they have to become accustomed to direct sunlight slowly in order to avoid burns. Place your orchid in a sunny place only after it has spent some time in a half shade – this is how you will avoid the risk of damage.
Fertilizer Orchids need – like any plant – nutrients in order to grow. As they are quite frugal, they are quickly being overfertilized. The LECHUZA fertilizer has the advantage, only to give as many nutrients as are needed. That’s how you make sure, that you do not overfertilize your orchid or even burn the leaves and roots.
Loss of blossoms? It is completely normal for orchids to drop their petals now and then. This has nothing to do with a lack of ability to care for your plants. When the orchid has lost its blossom on a stipe and no more blooms are on their way, you should cut the stipe back, before it starts to get yellow. You have two possibilities:
(1) The fast way: Shorten about 1 centimeter over the second or third latent bud – this will cause a new sprout to grow quickly.
(2) The gardener’s way: Give your plant time to recover by cutting the sprout one centimeter above the first latent bud – the latent bud will evolve into a new sprout. If you use the second method, it will take longer for a new blossom to grow (up to half a year), but your orchid will thank you with brighter colors and a stronger bloom. Step by Step:Orchid Planting Instructions
Our table planters are the perfect size for young orchids. Find the LECHUZA-PON substrate in a bag inside the planter liner. Fill the planter liner with PON, but leave room for the root ball.
Free the root ball carefully and completely from any wood or bark. Use the opportunity to cut off old/rotten portions of the roots.
Place your plant with the root ball on the substrate layer. Fill the planter liner completely with LECHUZA-PON substrate. If possible, put the air roots also inside the planter.
By knocking slightly against the planter you can make sure that the orchid roots are surrounded by the granulate. Gently firm down the granulate with your fingers, so that the orchid has a stable foundation within the planter. Done!
Lechuza has a wide range of amazing products for you. Click here to shop.
It’s summertime and the weather is sweet… This is the ideal time to spend a few hours outside bonding with the family. What better way to do this than to tackle a gardening project that’s not only fun, but also gives you delicious veggies in the end! Get your loved ones together to build a Square Metre Garden. This is how you do it:
Step 1: Remove timber from packaging. You’ll notice there is a weed guard included in the Square Metre Garden.
Step 2: Prepare the area where your garden will be placed. Assemble by slotting the pieces of wood together, to create a box.
Step 3: Once the box is assembled, place the weed guard into the box. This will stop weeds from growing and taking nutrients from your veggies.
Step 4: Fill with a mixture of potting soil, compost and Organic palm peat.
Step 5: Once filled, firm down soil to cover whole area.
Step 6: Place the thin wooden rods across to slot into each side creating nice individual plant pockets.
Just as poinsettia has become the Christmas flower, so rosemary is the Christmas herb. But it is more than a herb in the conventional sense; think of using rosemary for Christmas decorations, gifts, table settings, festive wreaths and festive feasting. It ticks all the boxes and has the bonus of the most delicious fragrance, which will stay in the memory. After all, fragrance is the most evocative of memory triggers.
5 ways to decorate with Rosemary
Rosemary is as fragrant as pine, and even the leaves resemble pine needles. Using rosemary for decoration is a natural way to perfume the home. If used to decorate the table, guests wont’ be able to resist rubbing it with their fingers. The scent of rosemary either energises or calms; a great way to make guests feel at home.
Front door wreath: Make a traditional wreath, round or heart-shaped, or just pick an armful of branches, tie them together with florist wire, and finish it off with a big red ribbon.
How to make a rosemary wreath: You need clippers, florist wire, ties and a ring or heart shape. Tie together three sprigs of rosemary, and tie them onto the ring/heart. Repeat with more bunches until the ring or heart is full and the look is that of a green garland. Attach the wreath to the door, hang it from the ceiling, or use it as a centrepiece on the dining room table. Leave it plain or decorate it with ribbons, bells, tinsel or coloured balls.
Try this: An edible wreath as an appetiser! Make a rosemary wreath using a florist oasis ring, push in toothpicks and spike on tasty snacks like stuffed olives, gherkins, cheese, and peppadews.
Table napkin rings: It can be as simple as winding a sprig of rosemary around the napkin like a serviette ring. If you have fancy serviette rings, just slip a sprig in with the ring and dress it up further with bells or ribbons. For an earthy look, tie a piece of hessian around the serviette with rough string and stick in a sprig of rosemary.
Place – cards:
Cut a plain white piece of card, write your guest’s name (in decorative script) on it and attach a sprig of rosemary, or push the twig through the card.
Glue two small wooden twigs together, leaving a section unglued into which to slip a place name card and a twig of rosemary.
Use a recycled can, make holes in the bottom, plant up a small rosemary bush, decorate the tin and add a place card with the guest’s name. When the meal is over, they take the rosemary home as a gift.
Rosemary-decorated candles:Candles always add to the festive atmosphere, and the heat will also release the rosemary fragrance. Make a rosemary wreath as a base for the candles or tie a piece of hessian around a plain white candle using rough string, and push in a twig of rosemary.
Table decorations:A mini-rosemary topiary (shaped as a ball or like a pine tree) decorated like a Christmas tree is a perfect table centrepiece. Fill decorative glass jars or your favourite vases with branches of fresh rosemary (guests will love the fragrance) or make a long, low arrangement down the centre of the table using rosemary with oranges, grapes, roses and succulents, interspersed with glittering decorations.
3 gorgeous gifts to make with rosemary
Rosemary is a symbol of friendship, loyalty and remembrance, and a home-made gift is one to treasure.
Rosemary flavoured oil
Lightly bruise200g of fresh rosemary (make sure the leaves are dry) and put into a sterilised bottle or jar. Pour in 500ml oil, to completely cover the herbs. Seal and put the jar on a well-lit windowsill or in a warm room. It should not be directly in the sun or near a stove. Shake the jar at least once a day. Within a fortnight the oil should be ready. Taste the oil, and if the flavour is not strong enough then repeat the process with fresh herbs.
Good idea: Leave the sprig in the bottle, but make sure the oil is used within three months. Use in marinades, salad dressings or in a stir-fry – in fact, for any dish that requires oil.
Rosemary-scented soap
Melt glycerine soap (available from a craft shop) in a microwave oven or in a double boiler on the stove, and ad drops of rosemary essential oil. Choose a container from which the soap can be easily poured. Melt the soap slowly and don’t let it boil or burn. The ideal soap temperature is 85°C, and it sets at 72°C. Temperatures above 95°C will make transparent soaps turn milky.
Let the soap cool slightly (let it form a skin) before pouring it into a mould. Before pouring, lightly scatter the base of the mould with fresh rosemary flowers and leaves. Always remove the skin that forms on the melted soap surface. If the skin goes into the soap it will be visible in your finished soap.
Allow the soap to set completely before removing it from the mould. If you put your hand on the back of the mold and it feels completely cool to the touch, it is ready to come out. Never set soap in the fridge or freezer to cool as it absorbs moisture and becomes sweaty and sticky.
Good to know: Glycerine attracts moisture so don’t make soap on a rainy day or cook while soap making. Package soaps as soon as they are made, in cling film or in cellophane sleeves.
Culinary herb bowl for home-chefs!
Plant up a bowl or hanging basket with rosemary, Italian parsley, oregano, lemon thyme and garden mint. This is a great combination for meat dishes, Italian dishes, slow food and roasts. Although their water needs differ, oregano, thyme and rosemary have shallow root systems that occupy the top two-thirds of the container, while parsley and mint, which need more water, send their roots to the bottom of the container where they take up all the water that drains through.
Try this budget beater: Recycle tin cans by punching holes in the bottom, filling with herb-potting mix, and planting with a small rosemary. Glamorise the can with wrappings and ribbons and hand out to all your friends who love herbs.
Festive fare with rosemary
Braai or roast – that’s usually the choice when planning the family feast. Rosemary, of course, is the perfect partner for either.
For the braai: Use this tasty marinade for lamb or chicken:2 tablespoons of fresh rosemary, ½ a cup of lemon juice, 1/8 of a cup of olive oil and 1 lemon, sliced. Let the meat marinade overnight. Use sprigs of Rosemary ‘Tuscan Blue’ as meat skewers or rosemary branches as a basting brush.
For the roast: Rosemary pairs particularly well with chicken and lamb.
Chicken (or turkey): Stuff fresh sprigs of rosemary into the cavity so that the flavour infuses from the inside. If the chicken is stuffed, simply add sprigs above and below the bird while roasting, and tuck some into its elbows. Remove the sprigs when cooked. The gravy will have a delicious rosemary flavour.
Lamb: Rub finely chopped rosemary and garlic mixed with lemon-juice onto the meat and roast. Alternatively, stud the leg of lamb with garlic and sprigs of rosemary, and let it rest for at least an hour before roasting. Add more garlic and rosemary sprigs, with veggies, to the roasting pan.
Rosemary roast potatoes: Toss par-boiled potatoes (halved) in butter, salt and chopped rosemary. Place on a very hot baking tray and roast in the oven for 45 minutes or until gold and crispy. Turn a few times while cooking.
Cheers! For a rosemary flavoured cocktail with a kick, bring ahandful of rosemary sprigs, 3 tablespoons of sugar and 2/3 of a cup of water to the boil, and simmer for five minutes. Strain and pour the cooled mixture into a jug full of ice cubes, and top with 450ml chilled ginger ale and half a litre of orange juice, and finish by adding vodka or flavoured cane spirit.
Rosemary fact file:
Plant in full sun, or in a container.
It prefers poor soil that drains well
Allow space to grow, at least 1m.
Pick regularly – this prevents plants from becoming woody
Look out for: White- or pink-flowering rosemary as an alternative to the traditional blue. There is also a ginger-flavoured rosemary. Rosemary ‘Irene’ is a cascading variety for tumbling over embankments or out of containers, and creeping rosemary is an extremely drought-tolerant variety with thin, needle-like, grey leaves.
For more information: www.healthyliving-herbs.co.za
Table décor can make your festive party an extra special event.
We borrowed this idea from Jamie Oliver’s wooden plants on bricks to serve antipasto and took it one step forward by adding flowers peeking from underneath to give it an elegant touch.
Step 1
Measure the table and cut planks to fit the length. We used old painted planks that we sanded down to the wood so that we could put food on the top. Set the planks onto bricks spaced evenly so that the structure is stable.
Step 2
Soak oasis in water and cut to fit a flat container that can take water for the flowers. You don’t need much on each side of the container. Place the flowers on either side making sure the stems are long enough to peek out once the planks are in place. We used camellia leaves as the greenery, then filled in with white roses, chrysanthemums and Geraldton wax flowers.
Step 3
Place the planks onto the structure and add an array of tasty bits – olives, dips, salad leaves, biltong, nuts and fruit, breads, biscuits, cheese – anything you fancy.
DECOR DREAM BOARD
The trick is to look around your house and garden for stuff that can be quickly jazzed up into interesting party decor items.
Collect any rusting or odd objects that have been sitting on the stoep for ages, as well as recycled glass jars hoarded in a kitchen cupboard. We sprayed old candlesticks, birdcages, plant pots and plastic toys with aerosol spray paint in shades of dull gold and copper – copper has been quite a trendy colour the past few years!
For a serving table, an old wooden garden gate resting on two trestles was painted with charcoal-coloured chalk paint. Chalk paint is very easy to use – there’s no preparation before painting.
As botanical prints have been so in vogue, I sewed oversized linen serviettes with a pretty magnolia print on them, and bought cheap, copper-coloured plastic plates to use as table settings.
Dried florist moss and small wooden discs supply a ‘mossy table cloth’ reminiscent of a relaxing escape to a forest floor.
Rusted tin boxes and glass bottles are vases for a mish-mash of fresh cut flowers and greenery from the garden.
Cooking a traditional Christmas lunch or dinner is normally a marathon affair requiring lots of energy from the chefs. The cost of all the rich food also takes quite a toll on one’s purse (not to mention one’s hips!) Why not opt for a simple menu with easy-to-assemble fresh salads and simple meat dishes that can be made a few days ahead and served either chilled or at room temperature.
The Picnic Menu
Vichyssoise – A classic, chilled cream soup with leek and potato
Rye, beetroot, goat’s milk cheese and chilli jam canapés
Glazed gammon Coronation chicken Sweet pepper salad Pesto potato salad with green beans Spinach salad with blue cheese, pears and walnuts
Seasonal fruit and cheese platter
Coffee and chocolate cake
Some of the recipes used for this garden feast appear in Ina Paarman’s What’s for Supper? (BOOK ONE) and What’s on the Braai? (BOOK TWO) and were used with her permission. These and her other cookery books, as well as her other products, are available at most supermarkets.
RECIPES:
Pesto Potato Salad with Green Beans
1 kg potatoes, unpeeled
250 g green beans, trimmed and cut into 2 cm
lengths on the diagonal
¼ cup (60 ml) Basil Pesto
1 tsp (5 ml) Green Onion Seasoning
¼ cup (60 ml) spring onions, ‑ neatly snipped
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
Steam the potatoes until tender. Leave to cool.
Steam the beans until just tender but still bright green. Toss beans with pesto while still warm.
Skin and cut potatoes into small wedges. Season with Green Onion Seasoning. Gently toss with the dressed green beans, spring onions and olive oil. Serve at room temperature.
(This salad serves 6-8 and can also be made ahead of time.)
Quick Coronation Chicken
3 cups (750 ml) cooked, sliced chicken or turkey
(skin and bones removed)
Garlic and Herb Seasoning
SAUCE
200 ml Tikka Curry Coat-and-Cook Sauce
60 ml mayonnaise
125 ml fresh cream
15 ml Tomato Pesto
Fresh coriander leaves to garnish
Mix all the ingredients together, except for the chicken. Now add the sliced chicken or turkey and toss lightly. Allow to stand for an hour or more to develop the flavour. Serve at room temperature, garnished with fresh coriander leaves.
(This dish serves 6 and can be made in advance.)
Sweet Pepper Salad
3 red bell peppers
3 yellow bell peppers
10 ml Lemon and Black Pepper Seasoning
125 ml Classic Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
Grated rind of one lemon
Preheat the oven to 250 C. Bake the peppers on a rack over a roasting pan for about 20-25 minutes until blistered and blackening on the outside. Place them in a glass mixing bowl and cover tightly with cling wrap – leave to sweat and cool down. In the process the skin will loosen itself from the flesh. Pull off the blistered skin (it doesn’t matter if a little bit remains here and there). Remove the stems and seeds. Cut the peppers lengthways into 1-2 cm strips. Season, arrange on a platter and add the dressing. Sprinkle with grated lemon rind. Serve at room temperature. (This salad serves 8 and keeps very well in the fridge for up to three days).
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Don’t forget this old faithful for summer flowers in the semi-shade!
Hydrangeas are amongst the most spectacular of all flowering garden shrubs, the bushes covered in blooms through much of late spring and into summer. They are affectionately referred to by the common names of Christmas rose or mop heads, referring to their flowering season and the shape of inflorescences. The modern garden hybrids are as a result of centuries of breeding and are selected for superior performance and extended flowering periods. They put on a magnificent show in suitable growing conditions, contributing richly to the summer landscape in many parts of the country.
Garden Uses
Christmas roses enjoy cool, slightly shaded growing conditions and are usually associated with woodland garden environments, growing in the shade of larger trees and shrubs. They are particularly happy in south-facing aspects where their roots remain moist for longer periods. Full sun often results in scorched leaves and flowers during the heat of summer, while too much shade results in lush green foliage and few blooms, if any. Large or mass plantings of these rewarding shrubs adorn many large estate gardens. On a lesser scale, potted plants add much-needed colour to shaded patios, especially under pergolas and arbours.
Cultivation and Care
These woody, deciduous shrubs are generally easy to grow. Basic requirements include rich, loamy soils that are well aerated and drained, yet don’t dry out too quickly. Lots of well-rotted compost and leaf mould added to the garden soil before planting helps to achieve this. A layer of mulch spread around the root zone of the plants also helps to reduce drying out and keeps the plants cool in summer. Regular applications every 6-8 weeks of a general garden fertiliser from spring through to autumn keeps hydrangeas performing at their best. They are greedy feeders and need to be kept in good health. Prune back spent flower stems immediately after blooming, and top up mulch levels after this has been done.
Common Problems
Yellowing of the leaves is a condition called chlorosis, usually brought about through alkaline or chalk soil conditions. Hydrangeas enjoy slightly acidic soils. Counteract the chlorotic symptoms by applying iron chelate.
Red spider mites on the underside of the leaves in mid-summer often cause stunted growth and poor performance. Check for these miniscule pests by shaking foliage over a sheet of white paper. If the tiny specks start moving on the white background then you know mites are a definite problem. Treat the infected plants with a registered miticide.
Many hydrangeas fail to bloom profusely due to bad pruning. Gardeners incorrectly cut back the dormant plants in winter when they’re doing other winter pruning. This error means that the flower buds for the next summer flowering have been pruned off the plants. They set buds on the new seasons’ hardened growth and this needs to be nurtured for decent flowering.
Changing Flower Colours in a Nutshell
Hydrangea flowers are comprised of many sterile florets. These can change colour depending on the chemical composition of the soil that the plants are growing in. Flowers are naturally pink but turn blue if aluminium is available in a soil with an acidic pH value. Blue hydrangea food helps to intensify the colouration of garden plants if applied at the correct times and intervals. Blooms remain pink in alkaline soils even if bluing agents are applied to the soil. White-flowering hydrangeas generally remain white irrespective of soil conditions. The central pip on each floret sometimes turns pink or blue depending on soils but the overall bloom colour stays white. Get some Starke Ayres Hydrangea Food here.
Summer’s here and the family will soon be back spending lots of time in the swimming pool. Here’s a quick checklist to get ready for some wet fun in the sun.
Sparkling water
If you’ve been battling with algae growth and murky pool water, call in the help of a pool contractor to help you to get your pool bright and sparkling once again.
Reduce water wastage
Invest in a pool cover as it reduces evaporation, conserves heat and can reduce the use of chemicals.
Allow the water level to be a little lower (your pool contractor will advise on a safe level) as splashing and playing in a pool that is filled to the top wastes a lot of water.
Check all pool plumbing equipment for leaks.
Only use fountains and waterfalls when you are entertaining, to reduce evaporation.
Backwash the pool less often and try to install a poolside tank to filter the water for use on the lawn and garden. This equipment is available on the market.
Safety first
Check your pool fencing and play equipment for weak points and have them fixed as soon as possible. Also examine the pool surrounds for loose tiles and paving blocks, as they can be dangerous to playing kids.
Think about shade
Although the young ones will want lots of sun to tan their bleak winter legs, we must remember that we live in a very hot climate, and the sun can cause severe skin damage. It’s also nice to have a little shade at the shallow end of the pool where toddlers splash while their grandmother watches. A great way to add shade is by investing in a large cantilevered umbrella or elegant shade sail, available at homeware stores.
Accessorize your pool surrounds
Buy sturdy and comfortable sun loungers, and maybe a daybed too, and definitely some side tables for cool drinks and snacks. Make up pretty scatter cushions with the lovely botanical prints that are so in fashion this year. A must-have accessory for a pool garden is a large, all-weather storage box in which to store cushions, pool noodles, balls, bats, lilos and other poolside paraphernalia – this makes packing up after a fun-filled day at the pool easy, and you will never again have to hunt down the stuff when needed.
Zoosh up your pool garden
Although you should not overplant or create a fussy garden around a pool, it is nice to have a few large containers in strategic places to add some greenery or colour. Great accent plants to plant in containers or in beds near a pool include all the latest stripe-leaved cordylines like ‘Cha-Cha’, ‘Can-Can’, ‘Electric Flash’ or ‘Electric Pink’. Phormiums like ‘Blondie’ and Duranta ‘Sheena’s Gold’ and ‘Goldmine’ will look equally elegant. For bright colour fill up a few containers with petunias and pelargoniums. The Lechuza range of pots and planters are ideal to showcase these glorious colours!
Our Team is ready to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. Feel free to get in touch!
Office Hours: 8:00am – 16:00pm
If we are not available then email us and we will get back to you as soon as possible. hello@tanyavisser.com
