They’re undoubtably lovely, but bonsai are hard to keep on a balcony in Sydney. The problem is you just can’t leave them. I always lose them over the summer holidays, when a dry spell will combine with a breakdown of the automatic watering system. This is a maple that was a present a year ago. Deciduous bonsai are the worst. They are bare for a good 6 months, and if you have remembered to water the sticks over Winter and they come good in Spring, then you have to step…
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Pitcher plants
These Sarracenia pitcher plants sit in a window planter that otherwise would hold only white stones. The location is good as they catch insects that might otherwise fly in to the living room (like most eastern Sydney housing we don’t have screens and the doors are open most of the time while we are home). They are also interesting to look over, with their form and red veining. Potting is crucial for all the carnivorous plants. Sarracenias like to have cool wet roots, and fertilizer or salt buildup is certain…
Read MorePitcher plants
These pitcher plants (Sarracenia) are an interesting feature for a window planting box. In early spring they send up these uniquely shaped flowers, which get a lot of comment. I’ve got two types; a tall thin pitcher (the classic type, flower below) and a large, low, ‘huntsmans cup’ type (flower above). The flowers come as the last season’s leaves are dying back, so for best effect I would cut all the old pitchers back. I’m a little surprised they do so well in this warm climate, but they’re easy with…
Read MoreDrosera capensis sundew
This sundew looked so pretty in the sun this morning. It’s Drosera capensis, from South Africa. My plants are about 3rd generation, from a plant that stowed in growing with a pitcher plant. They have stems of little pink flowers, which open one per day, then hundreds of dust-like seeds that germinate freely in the right spot. Keeping these is all about the potting medium. They will not tolerate fertilizer, so specialty mixes are necessary. Sphagnum, peat, sand and perlite are all good, singly or in combination. These ones are growing…
Read MoreCamellia
This Camellia japonica gives us beautiful winter colour out on the living room balcony. Its partner has a white flower with pink streaks, and flowers a little later.
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