Next APS NSW Gathering on Saturday, 19 November
The 2016 November Gathering will be hosted by the Macarthur Group on Saturday 19 November at Black Stump Natives, 26 Crana Road, Brownlow Hill, Camden. Ben Walcott, leader of the ANPSA Garden Design Group will talk on Garden design: a personal perspective. See morning garden visit options on the attachment at page 9. Google suggests the drive from Castle Hill will take at least 1 hour without traffic via the M7, Elizabeth Drive, Badgery’s Creek Road and M9 to Crana Road on the left. It is likely to take at least 75 minutes with traffic.
Our Next Meeting, Saturday, 25 November at 2pm – Last for the Year
We are privileged to have Angie Michaelis to speak to us at our next meeting on Saturday, 25 November at 2pm. Angie and her husband, Mark Ferrington, were very much involved with our Group through the 1980s and into the 1990s before they moved from Marsden Park into Balmain. Indeed Mark was President for three years at the peak of membership.
Since moving Angie has become very involved with Bushcare in the Balmain area. Her topic will be Bushcare: new sites/new insights.
Several of our members are also members of a Bushcare team and it is right that we should be aware of the community service they provide. We look forward to learning about Bushcare from Angie.
The Hills Council has much to say and do about Bushcare. Their web site provides the following and more:
Bushcare is Council’s program of restoration of bushland reserves by volunteers. Volunteers are involved in looking after the native bush, plant identification, fauna monitoring, weed control and seed collection for propagation at the Community Nursery.
What They Do
- Reflect the views of the local community and environmental groups;
- Identify and advise Council on challenges and opportunities in respect of bushland management;
- Promote bushland regeneration works and associated public education.
We do this by acting as a conduit between the many community voices and the council, offering advice based on best practices for the management of urban bushland as a community asset.
Bushland Conservation Committee
The Bushland Conservation Committee is a group of volunteers that come together once a month to look at what is happening in bushland reserves around the council area; they put written reports forward to council with recommendations on bushland areas, and support other community groups working for the environment. For further information on how to become involved please call Council’s Bushland Maintenance Coordinator on+61 2 9686 8207.
Bidjiwong Community Nursery is managed by The Hills Shire Council. It is a place where volunteers can learn about native flora of The Hills Shire. Participate in propagation and attend environmental workshops. Bidjiwong Community Nursery produces native plants for Councils revegetation projects, the Shire’s Parks and Reserves, Citizenship and residential give aways. The Community nursery is open to the public every Saturday between 9am and 1pm.
Permiculture garden
Within the community nursery compound we have a community garden. The purpose of this garden is to grow a variety of herbs and vegetables and allowing them to go to seed. The seed is then distributed throughout the seed savers network and the permiculture groups throughout Sydney. We also run different workshops on the fourth Saturday of each month. Some of these include worm farming, soils, seed cleaning and storage, and composting. Anyone is welcome to come along and join in the fun.
Workshops
Council runs a variety of Environmental Workshops for those interested in bushcare and the environment.
Environmental Activities
Council’s environmental team also runs different events in which volunteers can get involved in. These include Stream watch, wildlife monitoring and the Environment Centre at Annangrove Park, Annangrove Road, Annangrove.
Who can become involved in Bushcare?
Bushcare is open to all age groups. Children under the age of 15 need to be supervised by a guardian. To become involved choose a group that you would like to attend, download the application form below and send it into the bushcare office: P.O. Box 75 CASTLE HILL NSW 1765 or just turn up to the site of your choice with the form. All group sites have a site supervisor to report to, where they will carry out an on site induction.
Corporate groups and other groups
We encourage other large groups to get together for a day and volunteer, this can be on the weekend or during the week. For businesses, churches, scout or guide groups or even sporting clubs it is a great opportunity to come together as a team, work outside and try something completely different.
Why get involved?
There are many reasons to become involved in bushcare:
- Meeting like minded people within the community;
- A sense of personal achievement;
- Improving the environment in which we all live;
- Improving property values and reducing fire risk;
- Providing a better habitat for wildlife.
To see the whole web site visit
http://www.hillsbushcare.com.au or find the Parramatta, Holroyd or Blacktown equivalent.
Calendar
Nov 2016
Wed 9 Propagation at Bidjiwong Community Nursery at 10am
Sat 19 APS Quarterly Gathering at Black Stump Natives
Sat 26 Our meeting at Gumnut Hall at 2pm – speaker Angie Michaelis – Bushcare: new sites/new insights
Dec 2016
Wed 6 Deadline for Calgaroo news / articles
Wed 14 Propagation at Bidjiwong Community Nursery at 10am
Our Member on the APS NSW Conservation Committee
Dr Marilyn Cross has been confirmed as an appointee to the APS NSW Conservation Committee, the tenure for which lasts for two years. We congratulate Marilyn whose academic background and experience was recognised by the APS NSW Ltd Board.
Australian Association of Bush Regenerators
We should be grateful to those who give their time to bush regeneration, particularly our own members. APS NSW is a member organisation and receives their newsletters, the last one of which may be found on-line at http://www.aabr.org.au/NL/AABR_News_130lkj.pdf
Michelle Rose, Bushfire Program Coordinator for the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, writes:- “Integrating fire into Cumberland Plain weed management is a very promising approach, which supports a shift from a highly degraded system back towards a resilient system that will resist weed invasion.”
“Results from recent integrated weed and fire management trials (using both fire and herbicides) aiming to support restoration of native vegetation in the Cumberland Plain demonstrated that it is possible to break the dominence of African lovegrass, even in the most disturbed sites.”
“Using fire as a restoration tool in Cumberland Plain vegetation is a project that has been run in Cattai and Scheyville National Parks from early 2013 to January 2016. The program was assisted by the NSW Government through the Environmental Trust.”
Read the remainder of this article and other interesting material on-line.
Ozothamnus ‘Colour Surprise’ – Rice Flower
This is a hybrid recommended by Angus Stewart. Elsewhere it is said to be a plant that is loved by some, hated by others. It is said to be a cross between Ozothamnus diotophyllus and O. diosmifolius growing to about 1.2m high x 0.7m wide.
Ozothamnus is a genus of about 53 species most of which are endemic to Australia. The Australian species were previously classified in the genus Helichrysum.
Angus states, “It is a lovely little shrub that is very waterwise, hardy and decorative. It gives a prolific display of deep maroon-red flower buds in winter which gradually fade to light pink as the buds mature and open to a lemon colour in spring. The blooms are great for cut flowers, pick in bud for the best performance. The plant grows to around a metre high, and is useful for many different situations. Likes sun to part shade, and does well in all states of Australia. Tolerates light frost and drought once established. A light prune after flowering is beneficial.
Caleana major (Large Flying Duck Orchid)
Image: Margaret Bradbury
This orchid gets its name from its remarkable resemblance to a tiny duck in flight with its head and beak held high and wings swept back.
It is a terrestrial orchid found from Queensland to South Australia and Tasmania which can usually be seen at this time of the year if you look carefully. It has featured on a postage stamp in the past. Insects such as male Sawflies pollinate the flower in a process known as pseudocopulation.
Unfortunately it refuses to propagate under cultivation presumably due to its simbiotic relationship with a fungus which is found in the wild.
APS Sutherland Group member Margaret Bradhurst has collected all her observations and photographs to produce a comprehensive field guide to Native Orchids of Southern Sydney.
Details above from APS Sutherland Group.
As Arable Land Disappears, Here Come the Vertical Farmers
*David Twomey
As cities expand, eating up swathes of countryside in the process, agricultural pioneers are finding new ways to grow the fresh produce we need, in containers, empty buildings and any other spare space they can find to create new vertical farms.
“We are just trying to imitate nature. It’s not as futuristic as it might sound,” insists a smiling Maarten Vandecruys, the youthful founder of Urban Crops, a new Belgian company specialising in indoor growing systems with the help of LED (light emitting diodes) lamps.
AFP Newsagency reports behind him, in a spooky, futuristic purple halo of light, stand rows of shelves dedicated to horticulture. It is a closed environment with no natural light. The purple glow is the result of red and blue lamps and is believed to provide the optimal growing conditions.
Mr Vandecruys prides himself on the completely automated agro- system he has set up in Waregem, in eastern Belgium.
At the Urban Crops lab, a conveyor belt circulates containers of germinated plants that are placed in a special substrate, using no earth to reduce the risks of disease linked to animal-life and other external factors.
The containers are introduced to a closed room, the walls of which are lined with shelves.
AFP reports under the artificial light the plants develop in a controlled environment, fed through a hydroponic system, water laced with the ideal mix of mineral salts and essential nutrients. No pesticides are required in this much more sterile environment and, as the LED lamps do not heat up, they can be placed close to the plants, allowing for tight layers of vegetables.
According to Mr Vandecruys the future of vertical farming is to expand to an industrial scale.
*David Twomey is a journalist with Eco News where you may read the full article on-line at https://econews.com.au/52054/as-arable-land-disappears-here-come-the-vertical-farmers/
Grevillea ‘Golden Lyre’
This Grevillea has long vibrant yellow brushes above arching branches. It is a subtropical hybrid variety developed in SE Queensland. It may be used as a specimen plant or a screen in native gardens.
Plant in well drained soil in a full sun to partly shaded position in a frost free area. Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. Prune after flowering to encourage dense growth and fertilise with a slow release native fertiliser in spring. It may grow to about 2m high x 3m wide. Don’t confuse it with the prostrate G. ‘Poorinda Golden Lyre’.
Indoor Plants
Chris Coe made the point that we have ignored Indoor Plants in Calgaroo – and this is true. Indoor plants are dependent upon the light and atmosphere inside the room in which they stand. And they face dangers from several quarters. Where does one start and finish with indoor plants?
Pip Gibian was quick to point out: “Any article about indoor native plants must have a run down of the conditions and potential problems, eg how much light does the particular plant need. One of the biggest problems is the atmosphere, particularly heating in winter and air conditioning in summer. Both make the atmosphere very dry. Many rainforest plants have the potential to be indoor plants, as they tolerate low light, but might not like the dry atmosphere. Even plants which tolerate lowish light may not like being heated through a sunny window or by the air conditioner. We have tried a few plants indoors over the years, with very variable results.”
For starters let us consider a list which claims to name the ten best indoor plants! Who has tried them? Do you need to use more light or provide more moisture for them in your home? What is your opinion of them?
Plants don’t just absorb carbon dioxide, they keep many other toxins out of the air too!
We need air. It’s simple. But as important as it is, surpassing all other requirements for life, we often forget the necessity of plant life to give us quality, fresh air. And promoting native plants in your home or office is a great way to not only improve our health and well-being, but also to improve the livelihood of Australia’s biodiversity.
Plants are one of the simplest and most effective ways to clean the air. As part of a clean air study in 1989 NASA released their first list of air filtering plants. NASA researchers suggest having at least one plant per 100 square feet of home or office space for the best results in air purification. Not only can plants produce Oxygen from CO2, some plants are also able to absorb toxins like benzene, formaldehyde and/or trichloroethylene.
Here are ten native Aussie flora that will purify the air in your home or office:
Black bean tree (Castanospermum austral)
With dark glossy leaves, these trees bloom red and yellow pea-like flowers in the summer. However, the green seeds in the black bean pods are poisonous.
Broad-leaved palm lily (Cordyline petiolaris)
This native plant grows in the understory of Australian rainforests. They’re very hardy, with a beautiful palm-like foliage.
(Castanospermum austral)
(Cordyline petiolaris)
(Howea forsteriana)
(Corane stricta)
Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana)
Native to Lord Howe Island, Kentia Palms thrive next to the coast, but can grow indoors in any climate.
Coraline narrow-leaved palm lily (Corane stricta)
This shrub is found in rainforests across Australia; however it is also drought tolerant and likes the shade, easily making it a low-maintenance indoor plant
Davidsons plum (Davidsonia pruriens)
This striking specimen grows purple fruits, which are edible and are especially delicious if they’re turned into jam! New growth is spectacular for a time.
Rough maidenhair fern (Adiantum hispidulum) With beautiful pink hues, rough maindenhair ferns are perfect for hanging baskets and indoor growing.
(Adiantum hispidulum)
Image: Fred Johnston
(Alpinia caerulea)
(Dendrobium kingianum)
(Syzygium luehmannii)
Native Ginger (Alpinia caerulea)
This hardy plant had many functions for indigenous Australians. The ginger-tasting root would be eaten, along with the flesh from the fruit. The leaves were also used to wrap food for cooking and to thatch roofs.
Pink Rock Orchid (Dendrobium kingianum)
This orchid grows in open forests along the East Coast of Australia as a lithophyte (growing on rocks) or rarely as an epiphyte (growing on another living plant). It does require light to flower.
Small leaved Lilly Pilly (Syzygium luehmannii)
These evergreen plants are found in Australia’s rainforests and vary in size. Most grow delicate green or white flowers in Spring and early Summer. They carry colourful small fruits.
Georgiana Molloy – The mind that shines by Bernice Barry
Review by Jennifer Farrer
A long time ago I read a biography of Georgiana Molloy by Henrietta Drake Brockman which told the story of a young Scottish woman who moved to the new colony of Augusta in SW Western Australia.and subsequently became a collector for the highly regarded Botanical collector James Mangles.
Now there is a more complete biography of Georgiana which starts with her childhood near Carlisle, marriage to Jack Molloy, a veteran of the Napoleonic wars and their decision to be among the first group of settlers in the country south of Perth. She was one of the first settlers to appreciate the beauty of the local flora. Mangles’ cousin was the wife of the governor of the Swan River colony, James Stirling. It was through this connection that Georgiana was invited to become a collector for Mangles.
She applied herself to the task with such scientific precision and exactitude that she was recognised at the time for discovering many new species which had not been described before. Boronia molloyae is named in her honour.
This latest biography is a fascinating read on several levels. It is an interesting account of the failed settlement at Augusta and the more successful settlement on the Vasse River at what is now Busselton. It is a wonderful insight into the loneliness, hardships and resourcefulness of pioneer women. Georgiana managed to fit collecting specimen’s for Mangles into a busy schedule of running a household without servants (and often her husband}, educating her children, making clothes for herself and the family and growing their own fruit and vegetables.
Specimens collected by Georgiana are part of the collections at the Kew Gardens. Her story is a small part of the story of the discovery and description of our Australian flora.
You can borrow this book from the Hills Shire Library Service.
The Hills Council’s Living Sustainably Walks and Workshops in November
Life after the Solar Bonus Scheme Friday 11th Nov 10.00am to 12 noon
The NSW Solar Bonus Scheme finishes on 31st December 2016. Examine what steps you need to take and explore a range of future options. Venue Castle Hill Library.
For aging for edible and medicinal plants Thursday 17th Nov 9.30am to 12 noon
Naturalist Diego Bonetto will introduce you to the wonders and possibilities of edible weeds. Find out how they can be used for food, craft, vitamins and natural remedies.
Art class Wednesday 23rd Nov 10.00am to 1pm
Experience a creative art class painting captivating landscapes or still life images. Be inspired and leave with a completed work to take home by the end of the class.
Creating a Waterwise Garden Thursday 24th Nov 10.00am to 12 noon
Make sure that your garden not only survives, but thrives through dry weather. Learn about garden design and how to employ effective water management techniques.
Addendum to Calgaroo November 2016
November APS NSW Gathering At Macarthur
The next APS NSW quarterly gathering is on Saturday, 19 November and is being hosted by APS Macarthur Group in the south-west outskirts of Sydney. There are two gardens to inspect and a wonderful talk on garden design. In addition there will be plant sales and plenty of opportunity to socialise with APS friends.
We suggest that you start at Peter and Margaret Olde’s garden ‘Silky Oaks’ at Oakdale, then drive to Tony and Penny Sexton’s home ‘Black Stump Natives’ at Brownlow Hill near Camden where you can enjoy the garden, lunch and a presentation by Ben Walcott. Ben is the leader of the ANPSA Garden Design Group and his talk is titled ‘Garden Design: a personal perspective’.
Visitors to ‘Silky Oaks’ are welcome between 9 am and noon. The gardener, Peter Olde is the leader of the ANPSA Grevillea Study Group and co-author of the three volume reference, The Grevillea Book. The address is 140 Russell Lane, Oakdale.
Tony and Penny Sexton’s home and garden, ‘Black Stump Natives’ is at Brownlow Hill near Camden. The Sexton’s garden has a wonderful collection of natives and more information is on their website: www.blackstumpnatives.com/ (which includes a map). You are welcome at the Sexton’s from 10 am. There is room to sit down and eat your lunch which you should bring with you, but refreshments will be available.
The Sextons are at 26 Crana Road, Brownlow Hill, Camden. Note that it s approximately 20 km from Silky Oaks to Black Stump Natives. Please allow about 30 minutes to comfortably complete the journey and park.
Please arrive no later than 12:30 pm.
Ben and Ros Walcott are well-known for the extensive native garden they have created at Red Hill in Canberra. Ben’s talk will begin at 1 pm.
The following web addresses will help with maps and directions to the gardens.
www.google.com.au/maps/place/Silky+Oaks,+140+Russell+Ln,+Oakdale+NSW+2570
www.google.com.au/maps/place/26+Crana+Rd,+Brownlow+Hill+NSW+2570
We thank the APS Office for this additional information.
Emails with Additional Information
Have you read the Garden Drum article, written by Heather Miles, our APS NSW Secretary, to which I referred in a separate email on 27 Oct 2016? If not visit http://gardendrum.com/2016/10/22/a-garden-built-on- harmony-and-trust/
There is another notice circulated by APS NSW advising us of some great conservation work being done by a “green” organisation called 202020 Vision. To read the details visit http://202020vision.com.au/help hub/
Parramatta and Hills District Group
Email: apsparrahills@gmail.com
Website: https://austplants.com.au/Parramatta-And-Hills
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APSPARRAHILLS/