In My Bush House August 2018

We continue to have North Queensland weather in Sydney at the moment, at least in the highlands with overnight 5-7 degrees and during the days 21-23 degrees but with no rain and the proverbial August winds.

What does this mean for the grower? Well for a start ‘spikes’ are starting to grow at an alarming rate so you have to make sure that you have room around the plant so they don’t touch and bend. Pseudobulbs and spikes should be staked now so that the flowers will be facing in the right place. Be careful around the ‘spikes’ as they are brittle and I suggest that from bitter experience you do this in the afternoon when the plants have warmed up. Personally I like to face my plants north so they follow the sun during the day so the ‘spikes’ don’t move around too much.

With the wind the plants will be drying out so you will have to water at least once a week and preferably early in the morning. Plants on mounts may have to be watered at least twice a week. Don’t forget to fertilise as this is when the plant requires nutrients as they are sending out ‘spikes’ and eventually flowers hoping to.

Keep a look out for the nasties aphids, check new growths and any buds ‘spikes’ and spray with something that won’t damage them. I use Pirimor, but Eco Oil will probably do as well as they will smother the insect. Also sprinkle snail baits around plants to catch the odd slug that may try to gobble your newly formed buds.

At the moment we have Sarcochilus falcatus in flower as well as Dendrobium tetragonum var. cacatua and the other varieties the buds are swelling. Dockrillias seem to be ready to open and some hybrids, yes I have some, are either opening or ready to open.

All in all it looks like a good season but we won’t know until after the shows are done and dusted.

Good Growing Bill Dobson

Note: Dendrobium tetragonum var. cacatua photo by Sau-wan Chan