Division

29-7-09
Activities: During the year we have done a few occasions we have done a propagation process called division. This is where a plant is split into 2 or more pieces all of which the roots are still attatched. This method is quite easy and simply involves getting a spade or trowel or even secatears and driving it through the clump until it is divided. You can do this several times depending on how many clumps you want. For example I used the divison propagation method on a large clump of Poa Labillardieri. This was divided into at least a dozen smaller clumps and planted straight into the ground at home. With division you can plant the new plants straght into the ground or pot them up.
Tools: Secateurs, trowel, spade.
OH&S: Secateurs.
PPE: Gloves.

Rose pruning Botanical Gardens and Uni roundabout

23.7.09

Activities: Today we spent almost the entire day pruning roses. In the morning we were at the Botanical Gardens with Anne. In the afternoon we were at the Univeristy Rose garden next the Aquatic centre with Roy.

Both Anne and Roy showed us much the same way how to prune back rose bushes.

The first step was to remove any dead, dying, defective or diseased material. Next was to thin out any branches that might be either crossing over or coming out over the path (so the branches wouldnt get in the way of people walking past). Once this had been done we needed to keep only the main branches that would be around the outside of the plant. Also some of the tips were pruned back to a triple bud so one bud could be the new lateral and the others would fruit. You could pick which bud so the lateral would grow where you wanted it to.

PPE: Gloves, safety glasses

Tools: secuateers

OH&S: Secuateers, prickles

Pruning fruit trees at Government House

16-7-09

Activities: Todays task was to meet at government house for some serious fruit tree pruning.

The trees I pruned were apples and apricots.

It is a good idea to remove any branches that cross over onto other branches and one that might hinder fruit growth from another branch.

The first thing to do was look at the tree (in this case apple) and do the 3 Ds (dead, damaged, dying and diseased). Also it is good to stand back and look at the trees and visualise what it might look like after it has been pruned.

Once the 3Ds had been removed the next step was to prune back the larger branches to lateral branches. New seasons growth was pruned back and this would also help lateral growth. This would also help the growth of the new spurs the following year.

They were pruned back to just above a bud. Please note that these trees were quite old and were in desperate need of pruning.

The other trees I pruned were peaches and nectarines. After doing the first basic steps like the apple trees it was time to prune last seasons laterals. Any laterals that were crowding the tree were cut back to 2 buds at the beginning of the branch. Also some of the branches had triple buds some these were pruned back to these buds. You get 2 buds for flowering and 1 bud would form the new lateral. Make sure that the bud that is going to be the new lateral is going to grow out in the right direction (eg you dont want it growing in towards the centre of the plant ).

PPE. Saftey glasses, gloves

Tools: ladder, secauteers.

OH&S: Falling off ladder, secuateers.

Propagation Hardwood cuttings.

13-7-09

Activities: For one of our final propagation tasks for cert 2 was do hardwood cuttings. We selected several braches from various plants. The plant I choose was Juniperus conferta.

The best time of the year to perform these cutting is winter time when the plants are in their dormant period. I picked approximately 8 pencil sized cuttings approx 25cm long. Some leaves were removed and the base was cut straight just below a node. The top section was cut just above the node (on an angle to identify that was the top section). The base was then dipped in red hormone gel, which is the colour used for hardwood cuttings. These cuttings were then placed into a pot containing a general potting mix which also had rock dust added.

Tools: Secuateers, dibble stick.

OH&S: secauteers

PPE:

Aerial Layering

2-7-09

Activities: Today we did a proceedure called aerial layering. This proccess involved finding a suitable branch on a plant (ideally 1-2 years). Any leaves and side shoots were trimmed off up to about 20cm. A 2-3cm band of bark was removed using a budding knife. The next step is to apply a hardwood hormone gel to the wound to encourage rooting. A plastic freezer bag was then placed over the branch and a twist tie was tied ariund the bottom of the bag. Moist coir was placed and compacted into the bag (about 2 cupped handfuls). Another twist tie was then used around the top. Silver foil was then wrapped around the freezer bag, this would insulate and stop light getting in. In about 2-3 months time the roots should be established and the new plant can be ready for potting.

Tools: Secueteers, budding knife

OH&S: As above.

PPE:

Planting along creekline.

24-6-09

ACTIVITIES: Glnn wanted a few more plants put up along the creekline of the Clarence campus.

This was a CLM project where the CLM students had already placed quite a large number of native plants along the creek line. The plants that we were to be placed up there were Eucalytus and a wattles. The type of soil was clay based and in some areas was fairly damp. The holes were dug out using a mattock and in most cases the soil was very easy to dig out.

Along the line of the creek bed a large number of rocks had been put into place. This would help with any future erosion from the creek and also rain water.

The new plants put along the creek line would also help any future erosion, once their roots were established.

It was interesting to compare the planting we had done the day before at the Mt Neslon Campus. The 2 sites were vastly different and it was good to work in that enviroment.

Once the plants were in the ground we placed 3 stakes round them, then plastic went over. This was used to stop animals from eating the plants. The bagging would also give the plants some shelter from the cold. The last step was to give all the plants a really good water.

TOOLS: Mattocks, spades, hammer.

PPE: Safety boots, eye protection, gloves.

OH&S: Splinters, eyes, mattock, muscular.

Mt Neson Campus Planting

23-6-09:

ACTIVITIES: Today the entire cert 2 crew visited the Mt Nelson College. Our tasks were to plant natives and to do some pruning. Upon arrival we were given a quick tour by the college groundsman. Terry from our the Clarence Campus then showed us what he wanted planted and where to plant them, we were split up into 3 groups. Our group was to tackle the front entrance area. Cameron showed us the correct proceedure in preparing the hole for planting. The hole was to be approx 4 times the size of the pot. The ground we were planting in was covered in fine finely crushed rock approx 5cm in diametre. The rock was carefully pushed aside so the soil was then exposed. The hole was dug out and the soil placed on black plastic or in a bucket. The plant was then placed in the hole and the soil carefully placed around the plant. Finally the rock was then placed back over where it was originally. The idea was to make it look as though we had never been there. We did not want the soil to end up mixed into the rock. The plants were later watered.

We also did a small amount of pruning. I worked on pruning back a Banksia marginata. This plant was around on the Eastern side of the buiding. It was thought to be too close to the building and was considered a fire hazzard.

TOOLS: Mattock, spades, wheelbarrow, bucket, rakes, secauteers.

PPE: Safety boots, eye protection, gloves.

OH&S: Muscular, mattock, eyes.