January 2017


Volume 44, No 1

Happy New Year to All

We wish our members and their families a bright, peaceful and happy 2017.

We look forward to our Society having a great year too as the discussions of Board members and the inputs of many ordinary members advances into action.

Our February Meeting

We meet again on Saturday, 25 February, 2017, and begin with our AGM. We do invite members to offer their services to the Australian Plant Society NSW Ltd through a role on the Committee of the Parramatta & Hills District Group. Reports and the election of Officers for 2017 are important but will be fairly brief.

Thereafter we hold our normal bimonthly meeting. We will commence with a talk by Judy Horton on Privet Gully to Rainforest. Although now retired Judy who was so well known as the voice of Yates Seeds has much to tell us.


Google Goes 100% Renewable Energy for Global Operations

*David Twomey

Every Google search or YouTube video will soon be run entirely on renewable power, after the technology giant announced through its parent company Alphabet, that it is on track to secure 100 per cent renewable energy for all its global operations this year.

Google said it had purchased enough renewable energy to cover all its global electricity consumption next year.

Reuters Newsagency reports Google expects its purchases of wind and solar energy will be enough to cover its data centres and offices worldwide starting in 2017.

*This is an excerpt from Eco News, an on-line news service for which David Twomey is a journalist.

Ed. This sounds a real investment in clean, green energy by one of the large international companies. May be there is still hope for our world – for us and our plants, animals and birds.


Top End Native Plants Society

I apologise to members of the Top End Native Plants Society for not acknowledging them earlier. We wish members based in the Northern Territory the same enjoyment and satisfaction we get from growing and learning more about our Australian flora. There is no formal link between this new Society and Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) and its constituents at this time.


Calendar

January
Wed 11 Propagation at Bidjiwong Community Nursery at 10am

February
Sat 4 Deadline for Calgaroo news / articles
Wed 8 Propagation at Bidjiwong Community Nursery at 10am
Sat 25 Our Meeting at Gumnut Hall, Gumnut Place, Cherrybrook at 2pm. We begin with our AGM and then our speaker will be Judy Horton on Privet Gully to Rainforest.
Sat 25 The APS Gathering will be hosted by APS Menai. Details next month.


Our Fees

Please note that the Membership fees for APS NSW Ltd rose as from 1 January 2017. The new fees for 12 months membership, including GST, are:-

Individual $58pa; Individual Concession $48pa; Joint $66; Joint Concession $56.

Note – Joint membership applies to 2 people at the same address. Each receives a membership card. A concession is available to Seniors, people on a limited fixed income and full-time students.


On-Line Subscriptions Now Available for Australian Plants

You will have read in Native Plants for NSW and Calgaroo that the Board has been working to make it possible for people to subscribe to Australian Plants through our APS NSW website. This facility is now available.

Your family and friends locally or internationally who love Australian plants, may like to learn more but have not been able to join APS because of other commitments. To subscribe people simply need to go to the home page of our website. “Subscribe to Australian Plants” is the last item in the main menu on the left hand side of the home page. The subscription in Australia is $25 and overseas $40 including postage. To find the subscription section visit http://www.austplants.com.au/subscribe.html

Furthermore if you seek information from Native Plants for NSW before our State Newsletter arrives by post it too is available on-line.

To maximise the information available to a member on-line register in the first instance using your APS membership number which is shown on the envelope containing your quarterly APS publications.


Study shows Wind Power ‘Key to Curbing Emissions’

*David Twomey

A new study has shown that wind power plays a key role in curbing greenhouse emissions from other energy sources such as coal and gas. The analysis found energy from wind farms in the United Kingdom prevented almost 36 million tonnes of harmful carbon emissions in six years, equivalent to taking 2.3 million cars off the road.

Edinburgh University researchers studied National Grid figures for power generated by sources including wind, coal and gas between 2008 and 2014. They said the study was the “most accurate of its kind to date” as it used real, rather than estimated, energy output figures, detailing figures for every half hour.

Researchers said their findings support building more wind farms in the UK to help cut carbon emissions and reduce climate change impact. They said the study suggests wind power could play a key role in meeting the UK’s future energy needs and the methodology used could be applied to give accurate estimates of possible future emissions savings.

*David Twomey is a journalist with Eco News

Ed. Perhaps at last we have confirmation of the best way to manage our future energy requirements in Australia too. However remote land holders do not like the sight and the constant whir of wind driven turbine blades and we must be fair to them by carefully selecting the sites of wind farms.


Adenanthos Sp.

Having received an Adenanthos sericeus (Wooly Bush) as my Christmas present at the Group’s Christmas meeting in November, I asked whether it might be planted at my Aged Care facility. I decided a description of the plant might help.

My first on-line request showed an Adenanthos cuneatus ‘Coral Carpet’ that I don’t recall ever seeing before. Angus Stewart writes: “This delightful ground cover features beautifully textured colourful foliage that provides a year round highlight in the garden. Best in coastal areas of Western Australia but also grows well in well drained soils in other parts of southern Australia. Its small red flowers are not prominent but they are produced all year round and attract small honey eating birds. Grow in full sun to get the best colour in the new foliage growth.”

Adenanthos cuneatus (Coral Carpet) Image: Angus Stewart

There is a warning that A. cuneatus grows well in “parts of southern Australia” so that undoubtedly like most WA plants it will do better in sun in very well drained soils to partially counter the higher humidity in our area. Give it a go if you can find one and let us know of your experience.

Adenanthos is a genus of about 30 species in the Proteaceae family. Most occur in south Western Australia but one species is found on Kangaroo Island and another occurs in South Australia and western Victoria.

The A. sericeus (Woolly Bush) is a large upright shrub that grows from 0.5 m to 5 m high by 2 m wide. Its soft, silver-grey foliage provides an attractive contrast in the garden. Despite its natural habitat in a dry summer climate, Woolly Bush has been successfully cultivated in a range of climates including those with humid summer conditions which are often unsuitable for plants from the south-west. The small, red flowers on this plant are almost inconspicuous, but they are a great source of nectar for small honeyeaters throughout most of the year. In my garden I don’t recall it exceeding a height of 2 m.

Adenanthos sericeus (Wooly Bush) Image: Angus Stewart

Visit Angus Stewart at http/:www.gardeningwithangus.com.au


Geometrid Moth Caterpillar

Are two twigs joined together in the image to the right? Of course not! But frankly few members could answer with conviction if the name Geometrid Moth Caterpillar was not at the head. Yes, it is a caterpillar of the Geometrid Moth and is commonly called a “looper”

Chris Coe discovered it on a small Banksia in a pot on her back verandah. Chris chose to send images to Peter Ridgeway whose response was: “Great find! This is a Geometrid moth caterpillar – commonly called ‘looper’. “They are fascinating to watch as they move and then they ‘freeze’ extended trying to look like a stick.”

Geometrid Moth Caterpillar (Image: Chris Coe)

Loopers do enjoy a soft tasty leaf and if the Geometrid Moths have visited Chris’ garden for Christmas it is likely they have rellies who have chosen other gardens. It may be wise to check your potted plants and new growth elsewhere.


Propagating Native Plants from Seed and Cuttings

*Warren Sheather

Propagating your own plants is an interesting and inexpensive way to produce plants for your garden. Commercial Seed Raising Mix may be used for both seed and cutting propagation.

Seed Propagation:

The majority of native plant seeds required no treatment before sowing. Acacia or wattle seeds are the exception. They have a hard seed coat that needs to be treated before sowing. The seeds are placed in a container and covered with boiling water. Leave to soak for an hour or so before sowing.

Seeds may be sown into punnets, small pots, tubes or margarine containers with holes punched in the bottom for drainage. Sow seeds on the surface of the propagating mix and cover to a depth about double the seed diameter.

Fine seeds such as Eucalypt sp, Callistemon sp and Leptospermum sp only need to be covered by a sprinkling of the mix. Large seeds such as Acacia sp, Banksia sp and Hakea sp should be covered to a depth of one centimetre.

Place the seed pot in a sheltered position that receives morning sun. Protect from rain as this may wash small seeds out of the mix. Seedlings are ready for transplanting, into individual tubes, when they are at least one centimetre tall. Use a good quality potting mix that meets the Australian regular standard for potting mix.

Image A shows a punnet of Hakea seeds ready for transplanting. Seedlings are ready to plant out when they as tall as the tube and the roots have reached the tube base.

Cutting Propagation:

Firstly we should mention why we propagate native plants from cutting. Some native plants do not produce viable seed or have seeds that are difficult to germinate. Hybrids should be propagated from cuttings to preserve their characteristics. Plants with variegated foliage must be propagated from cuttings. Cutting grown plants usually flower sooner than those grown from seed.

Cutting material should be taken from firm, current season’s growth. Hard, woody material and soft, limp growth are both usually unsuccessful. They should be between 8 to 12 centimetres long. Leaves (& branches if present – Ed) are removed from the lower half of the cutting. The bottom one centimetre of the cutting is dipped in a powder or gel containing root promoting hormones. We find Red ‘Clonex’ gel has proved to be very successful in encouraging root development. A 50 ml bottle will treat many hundreds of cuttings. Cuttings should be placed in pots filled with commercial seed raising mix. Make a hole with a pencil, place the cutting in the hole up to a third of its length and firm the mix around the cutting. A 7cm diameter pot will accommodate up to 6 cuttings (see Image B).

Pots containing the cuttings should be placed in a warm, humid place that receives the morning sun. A number of methods may be used to maintain warmth and humidity. With a small pot a clear plastic drink bottle could be used. Cut off the base and cover the pot with the bottle. Leave the cap on. This could be used to regulate humidity. Remove the cap to reduce humidity and replace to maintain a humid atmosphere. With larger pots maintain the warmth and humidity by covering with a clear plastic bag supported by a couple of wire hoops. For a number of pots a cold frame will fulfil the requirements for cutting propagation. A cold frame is a rectangular box with no top or bottom with sloping sides and sitting on a bed of sand. The cutting pots are placed on the sand bed and the cold frame covered with a plastic sheet or recycled window. In all cases keep the seed raising mix moist but not saturated. To prevent the foliage drying out spray when necessary with a hand held spray.

When the cuttings take root they are potted into individual tubes using a potting mix that meets the Australian regular standard. Cutting grown plants are ready to be planted when they are as tall as the tube and when the roots reach the base of the tube. Image C shows a range of cuttings that have taken root.

With both seeds and cuttings remember to label the pots. Some of the native plants that are grown successfully from cuttings are: Boronia sp, Correa sp, Crowea sp, Eremophila sp, Grevillea sp, Prostanthera sp and Westringia sp.

*This is an article first published in the APS Armidale Group newsletter by Editor Neil Wilson. Armidale members had visited the garden of local members, Warren and Gloria Sheather, and afterwards Neil approached Warren to write an article about propagation to encourage more members to ‘give it a go’. Some of our members have been propagating native plants for many years but others may be wavering. Take Neil’s advice – give it a go.

Ed. I had the great pleasure of visiting Warren and Gloria’s garden perched on top of a hill some distance west of Armidale more than 20 years ago. We thank Warren for the many great articles he has written for our APS publications.


Fertile Ground: What You Need to Know about Soil to Keep Your Garden Healthy

*Petra Marschner

Most people think of soil only in terms of the dirt that sticks stubbornly to their hands and shoes. But soil is much more than that.

A handful of soil is a small and very complex ecosystem which includes soil particles, pores, aggregates, organic matter and a staggering number of microorganisms, all of which interact to keep the soil healthy and productive.

Each soil is different. The primary factor determining the physical properties of a soil is particle size. Sandy soils have a coarse structure, large pores and little ability to hold on to water and nutrients, which makes them prone to leaching.

Clayey soils hold nutrients and water, but because the pores are small they are prone to waterlogging. The pores between soil particles are important for water flow but also for the movement of gases. Particularly important is the exchange of oxygen with the atmosphere, because plant roots and most soil organisms need oxygen to breathe.

Sand, silt and clay particles are bound together to form aggregates. These aggregates form the skeleton, or matrix, for chemical and biological processes which are critical for soil functions.

Nitty-gritty

Organic matter and soil microorganisms play key roles in the formation and stability of aggregates.

Think of organic matter as being the glue or mortar between soil particles. But the organic matter needs to be decomposed to be most effective. And this is where soil microorganisms come in. Each gram of soil contains a billion bacteria, which is almost as much as the human population of China or India, and about 50 times the number of people in Australia.

And this number does not even include soil fungi. All these bacteria and fungi can coexist because they have different needs or don’t interact. For example, a bacterium on one side of the aggregate is quite isolated from a bacterium on the other side of the same aggregate. So even if these two bacteria have similar needs, they don’t compete. They may also not compete because they are not active at the same time. In a given soil condition, only a small proportion of the bacterial population is active. The majority are inactive (dormant) and come to life only when conditions are optimal for them.

Another reason for the staggering number of microbes in a gram of soil is the huge diversity. A gram of soil contains around a million different species. Among them are generalists but there are also specialists, such as those capable of fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere or degrading wood.

The food of the vast majority of soil microbes is organic matter, which is mainly plant matter. When plant matter gets into the soil, it is attacked by soil microbes for energy and nutrients. This attack is aided by soil animals such as earthworms or mites. They mix the plant matter in the soil and its microbes, fragmenting it and thereby improving contact between plant matter and soil organisms.

During decomposition of plant matter, microbes multiply and produce carbon dioxide and nutrients for plant uptake. The dead microbes and the components of the plant matter that are very difficult to decompose help to bind the soil particles together.

This binding is also aided by slimes produced by microbes and the long filaments of fungal hyphae. The aggregates formed in this way are stable, which is important for adequate water and air supply for plant roots and soil organisms. If aggregates are not stable, such as in sodic soils, water and air supply are restricted and plants and soil organisms will suffer.

Feeding your soil

Maintaining a certain level of organic matter in soil is critical for sustained soil health and function. Organic matter not only ensures that aggregates are stable, but also acts like a sponge, holding water, which is particularly important in sandy soils.

Another important function of organic matter is supply of nutrients required by plants. As mentioned above, decomposition of plant matter releases nutrients and it also can bind nutrients which can become available later. But organic matter also decomposes, so needs to be replaced regularly. You can do this by adding plant matter growing in your garden or from outside to the soil, either directly or after composting.

Compost is more stable in soil than litter or straw because it is already decomposed during the composting process. It is a good glue for soil particles and binds nutrients, but it will not supply much nutrients for plants.

Fresh young plant matter is a good source of nutrients, but also decomposes very quickly and may initially release more nutrients than the plants can take up.

Mature cereal straw is nutrient-poor and decomposes slowly. So for good nutrient supply and long-term soil productivity, you may have to supply a mix of different types of organic amendments. Of course, you can bypass this organic loop by adding inorganic fertilisers. Plants will grow well, but you have to match supply and plant demand carefully, because most fertilisers are dissolved quickly.

In your garden, you may get the best results by combining organic and inorganic fertilisation: various organic amendments for long-term soil health and stability, and inorganic fertiliser to overcome short-term nutrient deficiencies

*Petra Marschner is Professor of Agriculture, University of Adelaide, and this article was first published in The Conversation which carries many interesting articles on a variety of topics. To see more visit http://theconversation.com/au


A Report of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW

*Kate Smolski

When I moved to Sydney from the US, I was struck by the jaw-dropping landscapes within a stone’s throw of most of us in NSW. A short drive takes me swimming in the amazing waters of Royal National Park, or having a casual run in with a goanna— not something you see every day in Boston! Knowing how much of this beauty is under threat, I can’t sit by and watch it disappear. I feel grateful to be able to contribute in some small way to protecting nature in my daily life. Most of all, I feel grateful to work alongside you.

Because the movement of people standing up for nature in New South Wales is mighty, and growing each day. 2016 carried some undeniably difficult moments.

When Premier Baird won office, he gave us his word that he would protect nature in this state. His actions have clearly done otherwise. The day his new biodiversity extinction laws passed Parliament was a particularly dark one for many of us.

But what struck me with even more force was the reaction I witnessed from you. The more politicians and big business have set their sights (and wallets) on destroying nature this year, the bigger and bolder your response has grown.

Here’s a small snapshot:

You stood up for nature to protect our land-clearing laws. When Premier Baird announced his plans to gut our land-clearing laws, you sprang to action. Over 27,000 of you signed petitions, made submissions, attended rallies and picked up your phones to protect our trees and wildlife. I know the laws that passed would have been worse if it wasn’t for your crucial presence every step of the way. Together, we’ll be ready to hit the ground running in the new year to stop the worst impacts of land clearing.

You went full steam ahead against the coal and gas giants. In August, many of you hopped on board a train to explore the Hunter Valley. We witnessed firsthand the impacts of coal mines from Maitland to Gulgong and heard from passionate locals who are standing up for their community and our climate. You stood behind me as I confronted Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher about his plans to destroy the Pilliga forest to build new CSG wells. As NSW’s largest temperate woodland left in eastern Australia, we simply can’t let Santos get their way.

Then just last month the NSW government announced a goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050. It’s clear the end of coal and gas is already upon us, and I’m excited to continue working with you next year to push NSW towards a just transition to 100% renewable energy.

You made waves for our marine life. This year, you hit the beach to restore our marine sanctuaries. Never has environmental action looked so cool as 50 people on surfboards constructing a floating human sign! Over 2,000 people wrote to the Government calling for Sydney’s incredible marine life and coastal lifestyle to be protected in a marine park. Expect more action in 2017 to make a Sydney Marine Park a reality.

The NCC team also worked with landholders across NSW to better manage fire and weeds and restore wildlife habitat over a staggering 23,000 hectares.

Nature Conservation Council supporters stem from all walks of life. Whether you volunteer, sign petitions, donate, take action in your community, tweet or chat about the issues with your neighbour, our strength lies in our diversity, and every one of us has an important role to play as a voice for nature.

Thanks for never turning back while scaling the sometimes rocky paths this year. Rest up, and I’ll see you in 2017!

*Kate Smolski is the CEO of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW of which APS NSW Ltd is a founding member.

Ms Smolski recently stated, “Well, what an achievement! We mark 60 years since a small group of committed conservationists formed our great organisation. NCC was established at a meeting of 45 people representing 27 organisations at Phillip St, Sydney, on July 2, 1955. Leading conservationists Mrs Thistle Stead, John Tipper, Myles Dunphy, Allen Strom, and Tom Moppett were elected to the inaugural organising committee. Our mission remains the same: to ensure the natural world in NSW is given the respect and protection it deserves.”

Ed. We may not entirely agree with all Ms Smolski’s remarks which are not necessarily the views of APS NSW but we cannot deny that we are concerned about nature conservation. It is good that there is an organisation with a strong voice prepared to speak out in support of nature conservation.

Visit the NCC at https://www.nature.org.au/


Save Our Flora E-Bulletin No 15

Another E-Bulletin of Save Our Flora has been received. As usual details of several species of endangered native plants are mentioned and significant details of important forthcoming activities are offered.

  • These include the Australian Network for Plant Conservaton News at
    http://www.anpc.asn.au
  • The Australian Government will invest $2 m in the National Landcare Network over the next two years to continue its support for volunteer operations across Australia. and
  • The Australian Flora Foundation has called for Applications for Research Grants.

There are two critically endangered species of Callistemon mentioned. Visit Google to access images of these.

Callistemon megalongensis (Megalong Valley Bottlebrush)

This shrub grows to 4.5 m with narrow leaves (30-45 mm long). Flowers occur in a spike of around 40-50 florets, 35 mm wide, with pinkish purple stamens. Fruit is c. 5 mm long. Identification may be confused with locally common species Callistemon citrinus. It flowers from mid-November to early December although this can vary with seasonal conditions. It resprouts after fire. It is known only from 8 sites within a small section of the eastern Megalong Valley in the western Blue Mountains.

Callistemon forresterae (Forrester’s Bottlebrush) is the other. This is an erect shrub growing up to 1.2 m high, with grey papery stems, alternate, sessile; linear to linear-lanceolate leaves with a mucro, often slightly falcate, 33-43 mm long, 3-4 mm wide, with a raised mid-vein on both surfaces, glabrous, oil glands visible on both leaf surfaces. Flower spikes have leaf-like bracts at the tip, 9–12 cm long, 42–46 mm wide, the axis is hairy, Stamens have mauve filaments, 13–15 mm long and purple anthers. The woody capsule is c. 4–6 mm long and 5–8 mm wide. It should not be confused with Callistemon subulatus which has crimson-coloured flowers and capsules mostly less than 5 mm wide. Forrester’s Bottlebrush is known from a single population of 1–3,000 plants that occurs along the banks of the Genoa River in eastern Victoria.

And another item of interest is the copy of a Christmas Card featuring Ceratopetalum gummiferum (Christmas Bush) and Thysanotus tuberosus (Fringed Violet), which is from a series of early Australian floral cards published by Turner & Henderson in 1880. Their first series, registered under the NSW Copyright Act on 20 November 1879 as ‘Australian Floral Cards’, are generally considered to have been the first published Australian Christmas cards with specifically Australian subjects.

The cards are held in the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, gift of Richard Clough.
Visit http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/stories/bessie-rouses-scrap-album

You can now access some previous E-Bulletins on-line at
https://saveourflora.weebly.com/


We suggest P&H members who need to renew their membership complete the form in the centre of Native Plants for NSW and post it to Pip Gibian at her address above or choose the direct deposit option, follow the directions carefully and advise Merle Thompson and Gordon Brooks by email. Alternatively just pay Pip at the next meeting. Please ask if you are unsure of your membership status which is shown on the address label affixed to APS publications received quarterly. Note the new fees that are effective from 1 January 2017 on Page 2 and the fact that you may now renew for three years.


Parramatta and Hills District Group

Email: apsparrahills@gmail.com
Website: https://austplants.com.au/Parramatta-And-Hills
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APSPARRAHILLS/