Using Lime
I have discovered why my new Correa rootlings were not growing as they should. Other plants which like alkaline conditions were just sittting also, despite the warm weather we had. My potting mix is not the pH it should be. It is way too acid at pH 5.5. It was only after hearing the tale of woe of another grower that the ‘penny dropped’ and I realised that my problem was probably the same. A pH test on the offending mix proved that it was the same problem, although not as low as his was. He thought that Azaelias would have done excellently in his mix.
Solution? Keith watered his pots with lime water made with a teapoon of lime in a standard watering can. He had to do this four times altogether before the pH was an acceptable 6. I have had to do the same. I have also added a cupful of lime to a wheelbarrow load of the potting mix for new seedlings and cuttings. It goes against the grain to do this when the soil pH is 9+! However if it solves the problem in the potting mix and I get the growth on the plants then it is worth it. It has been so disappointing to see the losses and the unthrifty new plants. I was certainly thankful to be alerted to a new scenario for my nursery.
Australian Native Shrubs for Dry and Alkaline Areas
I will write these lists and gradually add to them and add further information. Around our own yard we have these medium to tall shrubs growing. They tend to be in windbreaks. It is always better to have multiple heights in plants in windbreaks, tall trees, medium trees and tall shrubs, and a few smallershrubs to create layers. There are less wind tunnels if this is done.
- Acacia iteaphylla (Flinders Range Wattle)
- Acacia aneura (Mulga)
- Hakea laurina (Pincushion Hakea)
- Hakea multilineata
- Melaleuca lanceolata
- Melaleuca uncinata
- Callitris priessii sub species canescens (Native Pine)
- Grevillea pinaster in its tall forms. The Honeyeaters love this as well as the Hakeas.
- Melaleuca nesophylla
- Melaleuca huegelii (Chenille Honey Myrtle)
- Melaleuca armillaris
- Grevillea olivacea
I am visualising what I remember growing around the town and in other towns with similar conditions. These lists will go on forever as I remember species.
Australian Native Trees and Tall Shrubs For Dry Areas
This is the first list of plants for dry and alkaline soils. They need to be watered regularly for the first few months at least.
- Acacia pycnantha (Golden Wattle) Australia’s floral emblem. 4-8m high in ideal conditions.
- Acacia saligna (Golden Wreath Wattle) 3-8m high.
- Acacia baileyana (Cootamundra Wattle) to 6m. Amazingly, this does well here.
- Eucalyptus leucoxylon forms
- Eucalyptus diversifolia
- Eucalyptus porosa
- Eucalyptus stricklandii
- Eucalyptus spathulata
- Eucalyptus woodwardii
- Eucalyptus torquata (Coral Gum)
- Eucalyptus platypus
- Eucalyptus macrocarpa (Rose of the West or Mottlecah)
- Eucalyptus ficifolia (Western Australian Flowering Gum)
- Eucalyptus erythrocorys (Red Cap Gum)
- Eucalyptus eremophila
- Eucalyptus forrestiana (Fuschia Gum)
- Eucalyptus pyriformis (Pear Gum)
- Eucalyptus sideroxylon (Iron Bark)
- Grevillea robusta
- Santalum acuminatum (Wild Peach, Quandong)
This is not an exhaustive list. If you know of more species to add to this list (ie. dryland planting plus alkaline soil), let me know, please.
Planting in Dry and Alkaline Areas
I have been finding plants in the nursery that need to be planted out while the soil is still reasonably warm. There are quite a few, including some very neglected Eucalypts. Thought I would do a list in the blog of plants for our dry situation here. The average rainfall here is 330mm or 13 1/4 inches. Mostly winter falls, and often not heavy at any one time. When we get more than 20 points (5mm) in a day it is a time for rejoicing. We had 40 points last Thursday and the benefit can be seen immediately.
The soil here is mostly very alkaline. Some areas of the town and outlying districts go down to neutral. The soil structure is quite good apart from patches of ‘non wetting’ or water repellant sand. It is the limestone rubble that is the problem. At least the drainage is good. None of the books will say what plants will adapt to these highly alkaline soil conditions. In fact there are many plants which will grow happily in alkaline soil, even though the books do not say this. It is the highly alkaline soil which makes life a little more difficult. It has to be a trial and error situation. So my list will reflect what I know to be true.
It is worth getting the soil tested. A test kit costs something like $25 and will last for years. If there is an opportunity to have soil tested at a plant sale, take advantage of the offer. Sometimes plants which are acid soil lovers will grow in alkaline soil, even if not to the ultimate size that is listed. Others will look very yellow and deteriorate. There are remedies which will improve this, like iron chelates or sulphur watered in to the soil surrounding the plant. Follow the directions on the container.
In poorly drained soil it is worth raising the level of the soil by creating small catchment areas and adding the soil to one side in the form of a mound. Planting on the mound will make an amazing difference to some plants. I have heard that the raised area will also decrease the effects that high alkalinity has on some plants.
I will begin the list tomorrow.
Wild Peach-Quandong
The yummiest of the Australian native foods is the Quandong, or Wild Peach, fruit of Santalum acuminatum. These make great pies, served with cream, icecream or custard. As the fruit is quite tart, extra sugar is required but they are certainly a treat.
Years ago we had a tree when we were living in the north of South Australia. Being parasitic we were sure that its roots were attached to a very old grape vine which grew nearby. I remember many feasts when we could beat the birds to the fruit.
Friends in the mallee often had enough fruit from their tree to freeze it. Before Quandong Pie made its appearance in restaurants, Bev was supplying frozen fruit to a private concern in Adelaide. How they heard about the supply, I don’t know.
I was given a Sunshine Milk tin of dried fruit which had come from the upper north of the state. I thought that all my Christmases had come at once!
This a widespread large shrub or tree. It has small insignificant greenish flowers followed by large shiny red fruits. It grows widely in drier areas of the country. A host plant is needed when the plants are about twelve months old. Perennial grasses are often used.
It is not easy to propagate. Some say put the seed in a hessian bag with some peat and throw it behind the back shed and check it a few months later! Various methods are used. One that is supposed to work is to soak the kernal which has been removed from the hard shell, in a solution of household bleach for half an hour. Place the kernels in a plastic bag with moist wood shavings and keep cool and dark until germination takes place. Remove the sprouted kernels as soon as possible to individual pots.