Florcom Gardens

 At Home in the Garden

Man has always been drawn to the visual stimulation offered by fire & water, making them ideal elements to use in a garden environment. Together, they can be used to enhance an overlooked section of the garden in order to create a unique destination – a great reason to take a stroll in the garden.

While gardens are considered by many to be another room of the home, our design takes a more literal interpretation, by adding a number of features that are more commonly found inside a house, namely: a fireplace, a window, steps, a ’roof’ & decorative wall hangings.

 

Garden Designed & Implemented by Craig de Necker of The Friendly Plant

This garden is on display at Garden World, Beyers Naude Drive, Muldersdrift, Gauteng Tel: 011 957 2046 or 083 997 6142, www.gardenworld.co.za

 

This exhibit is on display at Garden World from 30 July till 5 September 2010

South Africa had a very important task ahead of them this year: to maintain it’s innovative & unusual interpretations of our spectacular plant heritage. It was with excitement that designers David Davidson & Ray Hudson – designing the exhibit for the 17th time, took up the challenge to explore the theme of biological diversity, in celebration of 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. They produced an unusual & thought provoking exhibit for the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s (SANBI’s) 2010 Kirstenbosch – SA Chelsea entry entitled ‘Bio[logical] diversity is the variety of life’.

Intrigued by the fact that biodiversity occurs at many different levels, ‘ranging from complete ecosystems to the chemical structures that are the molecular basis of heredity’, this year’s exhibit attempts to illustrate the diversity as well as the genetic variability of the botanical wealth that makes South Africa the third most biologically diverse country in the world.

Commonly known as the “Olympics” of the industry, the Chelsea Flower Show is one of the most visited exhibitions in the world & attracts people from a wide variety of disciplines & countries. As a major tourism opportunity the Kirstenbosch-South Africa exhibit attracts wide attention & the result is many more people visiting our country to see our wonderful National Botanical Gardens (NBG’s) as well as enjoy the myriad other attractions our country holds.

In attempting to exhibit biodiversity within the South African flora at various levels, the designers created an exhibit that represents several of the different vegetation types comprising the nine biomes of South Africa, grouped in four separate nodes, each with its own cluster of interconnected, hexagonal compartments. In addition, the display included ‘fine-scale’ examples of genetic variability within a single species as well as diversity among species – & within different genera.

The four clusters featured plants from the following biomes:

• Fynbos (Cape Floral Kingdom – proteas, restios, ericas [heathers])

• Forest/Thicket [Sub-tropical] (cycads, euphorbias, strelitzias)

• Desert/Succulent Karoo (succulents) 

• Savanna/Grassland (aloes, grasses & bulbs)

South Africa was consumed by soccer fever in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer tournament in June/July, the design of the exhibit also revealed a fascinating consonance with the sport!

Designers David Davidson & Ray Hudson explained that using the uniform polyhedron as a design element (based on the familiar diagrams used to illustrate the chemical or structural properties of molecules) to determine the layout of the exhibit, overarched by a geodesic domed roof structure (similar to the domed climatron greenhouse of the Eden Project in Cornwall) bore uncanny results! “& as coincidence would have it”, laughed Davidson, “this same formula was also the original inspiration for the design of the soccer ball”.

According to SANBI CEO Dr Tanya Abrahamse: “This exhibit is a major way of reaching potential tourists but also, once it is recreated on home soil, offers South Africans the chance to enjoy & understand how important it is to conserve these natural resources. As SANBI’s mandated responsibility includes making biodiversity accessible to all South African’s, our Chelsea exhibit contributes to this intent in a very real & exciting way.”

The exhibit has been recreated on home soil at Garden World for the duration of their Spring Festival from 30 July to 5 September 2010, giving South Africans the opportunity to view the Silver Award Winning Exhibit that illustrates the diversity as well as the genetic variability of the botanical wealth that makes South Africa the third most biologically diverse country in the world.

THE NINE BIOMES

South Africa’s vegetation types can be grouped into the following nine biomes based on shared ecological & climatic characteristics: Fynbos, Forest, Succulent Karoo, Nama Karoo, Savanna, Albany Thicket, Grassland, Desert & Wetland vegetation. Each biome supports its own collection of plants & animals. The Karoo biomes, for example, are home to plants & animals that are well suited to hot, dry conditions while the Fynbos biome has a variety of plants that are adapted to the Mediterranean climate & nutrient-poor soils of the South-Western Cape.

FYNBOS BIOME [FEATURED]

The Fynbos Biome is synonymous with the Cape Floristic Region or Cape Floral Kingdom. However, the Biome refers only to the two key vegetation groups (Fynbos & Renosterveld) within the region.

Renosterveld used to contain the large animals in the Cape Floristic Kingdom, while Fynbos is much richer in plant species, but has such poor soils that it cannot support even low densities of big game. However, most of the endemic amphibian, bird and mammal species in the region, occur in Fynbos vegetation types.

Fynbos is characterised by the presence of the following three elements: Restios, belonging to the Restionaceae or the Cape Reed Family; Ericas or heaths & Proteas which are the dominant overstorey in Fynbos. Fire is a major influence on Fynbos community processes. Fynbos must burn at between 6 and 45 years of age in order to sustain its plant species. Many species store their fruit in fire-safe cones for release after a fire, & ants are enticed to bury fruit where they are safe from rodents and fire & can regenerate. Without fire, Fynbos becomes senescent & Forest & Thicket elements begin invading.

Some three-quarters of all plants in the South African Red Data Book occur in the Cape Floral Kingdom: 1 700 plant species are threatened to some extent with extinction!

Renosterveld is characterised by the dominance of members of the Daisy Family (Asteraceae), specifically one species – Renosterbos Elytropappus rhinocerotis, from which the vegetation type gets its name. Grasses are also abundant as well as a high species richness of geophytic or bulbous plants (chiefly in the Iris Family (lridaceae) & Lily Family (Liliaceae), but also in the Orchid Family (Orchidaceae).

SUCCULENT KAROO / DESERT BIOME [FEATURED]

The Succulent Karoo Biome is characterised by low winter rainfall & extreme summer aridity. Rainfall varies between 20 & 290 mm per year. In summer, temperatures in excess of 40°C are common.

The vegetation is dominated by dwarf, succulent shrubs, of which the Vygies (Mesembryanthemaceae) & Stonecrops (Crassulaceae) are particularly prominent. Mass flowering displays of annuals (mainly daisies) occur in spring, often on degraded or fallow lands. The number of plant species – mostly succulents – is very high & unparalleled elsewhere in the world for an arid area of this size. Tourism is a major industry: both the coastal scenery & the spring mass flower displays are draw cards.

DESERT BIOME

True desert is found under very harsh environmental conditions which are more extreme than those found in the Succulent Karoo Biome and Nama-Karoo Biome. The climate is characterised by summer rainfall, but with high levels of summer aridity. Mean annual rainfall is from approximately 10 mm in the west, to 70 or 80 mm on the inland margin of the desert. The vegetation of the Desert Biome is characterised by dominance of annual plants (often annual grasses). Perennial plants are usually encountered in specialised habitats associated with local concentrations of water.

 

SAVANNA / GRASSLAND BIOME [FEATURED]

The Savanna Biome is the largest Biome in southern Africa, occupying over one-third of the area of South Africa, mainly in the Lowveld and Kalahari region and is also the dominant vegetation in Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. It is characterised by a grassy ground layer and a distinct upper layer of woody plants.

Rainfall varies from 235 to 1 000 mm per year; frost may occur from 0 to 120 days per year; and almost every major geological and soil type occurs within the biome. Most of the savanna vegetation types are used for grazing, mainly by cattle or game. The importance of tourism and big game hunting in the conservation of the area must not be underestimated.

GRASSLAND BIOME

The Grassland Biome is found chiefly on the high central plateau of South Africa, and the inland areas of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The topography is mainly flat and rolling, but includes the escarpment itself. Altitude varies from near sea level to 2 850 m above sea level.

Grasslands are dominated by a single layer of grasses. Trees are absent, except in a few localized habitats. Geophytes (bulbs) are often abundant. Frosts, fire and grazing maintain the grass dominance and prevent the establishment of trees.

The Grassland Biome has an extremely high biodiversity, second only to the Fynbos Biome. Rare plants are often found in the grasslands, especially in the escarpment area. Very few grasses are rare or endangered. The scenic splendour of the escarpment region attracts many tourists.

FOREST / THICKET BIOME [FEATURED]

Forests are restricted to frost-free areas with mean annual rainfall of more than 525 mm in the winter rainfall region and more than 725 mm rainfall in the summer rainfall region. The canopy cover of forests is continuous, comprising mostly evergreen trees, and beneath it the vegetation is multi-layered. Herbaceous plants, particularly ferns, are only common in the montane forests, whereas lianas and epiphytes are common throughout. The ground layer is almost absent due to the dense shade. On the edges of the patches are distinctive communities, the so-called fringe and ecotonal communities, which are able to tolerate fire. Some 649 woody and 636 herbaceous plant species are recorded from forests.

Partly because of their rarity, their grandeur and their setting, forests are an important tourist attraction in South Africa.

ALBANY THICKET BIOME

There is no formal “Thicket Biome” in the scientific literature. However, it is recognised that the vegetation which replaces forest – where a degree of fire protection is still evident, but rainfall is too low – does not fit within the “Forest” type – having neither the required height nor the many strata below the canopy. A conspicuous grassy ground layer is also absent.

Subtropical thicket is a closed shrubland to low forest dominated by evergreen and succulent trees, shrubs and vines, many of which have stem spines. Because the “Thicket Biome” shares floristic components with many other vegetation types and occurs within almost all the formal biomes, Thicket types are also referred to as “transitional thicket”.

NAMA-KAROO BIOME

The Nama-Karoo Biome occurs on the central plateau of the western half of South Africa, at altitudes between 500 and 2000 m, with most of the biome failing between 1000 and 1400 m. It is the second-largest biome in the region.

The rain falls in summer, and varies between 100 and 520 mm per year. This also determines the predominant soil type – over 80% of the area is covered by a lime-rich, weakly developed soil over rock. Although less than 5% of rain reaches the rivers, the high erodibility of soils poses a major problem where overgrazing occurs.

The dominant vegetation is a grassy, dwarf shrubland. Grasses tend to be more common in depressions and on sandy soils, and less abundant on clayey soils. Mining is important in the Biome. Biological diversity means the full range of variety and variability within and among living organisms and the ecological habitats in which they occur and encompasses species diversity, genetic diversity and ecosystem diversity.

WHY SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED ABOUT BIODIVERSITY?

Ecological diversity reflects the incredible variety of different ecosystems found on Earth, e.g. deserts, rainforests, grasslands, wetlands etc.

Species diversity is seen in huge range of different species of plants and animals that occur in an area, country or the world.

Genetic diversity (the level of biodiversity) refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. It is distinguished from genetic variability, which describes the tendency of genetic characteristics to vary. Genetic diversity and biodiversity are dependent upon each other: genetic diversity within a species is necessary to maintain diversity among species, and vice versa.

Biodiversity maintains life on Earth – Healthy ecosystems provide the services upon which life depends: water purification, oxygen production, carbon dioxide absorption, soil stabilisation, soil fertility, flood control, nutrient cycling, pollination, seed dispersal, pollution breakdown, waste removal and decomposition. People are therefore, ultimately dependent on living, functioning ecosystems.

However, healthy ecosystems require that the extremely complex inter-relationships that exist between plants, animals and the non-living environment within ecosystems be maintained. The loss of a few species could have ripple effects on all the other interactions within an ecosystem. In time these losses de-stabilise the integrity of life on Earth.

Economic – South Africa’s economic growth and development also depends on its biodiversity. Our biodiversity provides a basis for the fishing industry, agriculture, horticulture of indigenous species, tourism, aspects of the film industry, medicines (both commercial and indigenous use of indigenous plant and animal resources) among others.

Aesthetic and spiritual value – Many people appreciate and are inspired by the beauty of the different kinds of plants and animals in their natural environments. Each species contributes to the richness of life on Earth.

Stewardship – We have an obligation to maintain biodiversity for future generations. We do not know what sources of food, medicines, materials and fibres living organisms might provide in the future.

PRESSURES ON SOUTH AFRICA’S BIODIVERSITY

Unfortunately, South Africa’s rich diversity is under extreme pressure resulting mainly from human demands placed on the environment: Habitat loss and degradation • Increased use of natural resources • Invasive alien plants and animals • Pollution.

                      

 

Plant van die week

Botaniese naam:

Codiaeum variegatum

Gewone naam:

“ Variegated croton”. Hierdie naam kan egter misleidend wees want die Codiaeum variegatum moet nie verwar word met plante van die Croton-genus nie.

Groeibeskrywing

Immergroen struik wat tot 3 meter hoog word. Blare is groot, glansend en leeragtig. Hierdie plante word veral om hul dekoratiewe loof aangeplant. Die stingels bevat ‘n melkerige sap. Daar is reeds baie kultivars met besonder mooi blaarkleure gekweek.

Plasing

Plant as ‘n sierplant op beskutte plekke in die tuin of in houers op die patio. Ook ‘n gewilde binneshuise potplant. Plant in vrugbare grond wat maklik dreineer.

Hoogte

Plante wat in die grond groei word to 3 meter hoog. Plante in potte word egter selde hoër as 1,5 meter.

Land van oorsprong

India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia en eilande van die Stille Oseaan.

Gehardheid

Die “ Variegated croton” is ‘n tropiese plant en nie kouebestand nie. Wintertemperature moet nie lae as 10⁰C daal nie. Plant in die son of gedeeltelike skadu.

Waarskuwing

Die sap van die “ Variegated croton” kan velirritasie veroorsaak.

Verwydering van rypbeskadigde blare en takke:

Wag tot die ergste koue verby is voor jy hierdie blare uitsnoei. Op die oomblik beskerm hierdie blare die res van die plant teen die koue. Wegsny van hierdie blare sal verder onnodig uitloop van ogies veroorsaak wat die res van die winter onbeskut sal wees en maklik deur koue seergemaak sal word.

Snoei: Struike en plante in die algemeen

Baie tuiniers begin reeds Julie met snoei. Ons ondervinding is egter dat snoei nou uitloop van nuwe lote sal veroorsaak met onnodige blootstelling van hierdie nuwe groei aan die koue wat nog kom. Wag dus met snoei in gematigde gebiede tot einde Julie en in kouer gebiede tot begin Augustus.

Wenk: Snoei terwyl plante dormant is, maar wag tot die ergste winterkoue verby is. In die koue gebiede is dit eers Augustus en in die meer gematigde gebiede einde Julie.

Pruning: Roses

§ When to prune: Prune during the end of winter when you do not expect severe cold conditions. Do not prune when the soil is wet. Prune while eyes are dormant and before they start to develop.

§ Dead wood: Remove all the old dead wood.

§ Where to prune: Cut all the stems back to the lowest green, healthy wood. Prune above an eye and leave 3 to 4 eyes on the stem.

§ Allow light to enter the plant: Remove some of the stems growing to the inside of the bush in order to allow sunlight to enter the bush.

§ Compost: Spread compost over the beds (100 to 200 grams of good quality compost per square meter).

§ Lime: Broadcast dolomitic lime on the surface of the soil if the soil is too acid.

§ Lime sulphur: Spray the plants and soil with lime sulphur. Do not spray lime sulphur on plants with active growing eyes or foliage – it will burn the eyes and leaves. Lime sulphur will control fungi spores on the plants and in the ground. Remember that lime sulphur should be fresh – old stock is not effective.

§ Watering: Give a small amount of water immediately after pruning. Remove the water stress but be careful not to give too much water – too much water during this dormant growth phase will cause root rot. Irrigate at least weekly from now on and increase the amount of water with rising temperatures.

Algemeen:

· Herfsblare wat in visdammetjies val moet uitgehark word. Indien hierdie blare in die water afbreek sal dit skadelik vir die visse wees.

· Remove winter grass, a weed that actively grows when the rest of the lawn is weak.

· Keep picking sweet pea blooms to encourage new flowers.

Besproeiing:

• Maak seker dat die tuin nie te veel water kry nie.
• Benat in die Hoëveld plante ongeveer een keer elke tweede of derde week. Die uitsondering is groeiende bolplante wat meer gereëld water moet kry.
• In meer gematigde gebiede kan die tuin een keer per week benat word.
• Besproeiing moet soggens plaasvind sodat die plante saans droog is.

Kliek op die fotos vir groter beelde.

Met die ontwerp van hierdie kuierarea in Florcom se tuin in Nylstroom is gepoog om ‘n gesellige area te ontwerp van waar die omringde lowertuin geniet kan word. Ons wou eers ‘n groot lapa bou, maar aangesien die dak van die lapa die sig na die groot bome in die tuin sou verminder is daarteen besluit. Ook die gedagte van ‘n boma wou nie byval vind omrede ‘n boma nie ‘n eenheid met die res van die tuin sou vorm nie. Op die ou end het ons ‘n patio ontwerp met baie van die geriewe van ‘n lapa of boma. Hierdie area het ons gedoop as ‘n “loma” (afgelei uit die woorde lapa en boma).

Bygaande fotos is in die middel van die winter geneem. Alhoewel Nylstroom ligte ryp kry en temperature snags tot vriespunt daal, skep die baie bome in die tuin ‘n mikro-klimaat wat ‘n lowertuin gedurende die winter moontlik maak. Die blaredak bo die loma bestaan hoofsaaklik uit ‘n rooi-ivoor, huilboerboon, vaalbos en ‘n luiperdboom. Normaalweg sou die huilboorboon ‘n swak keuse wees as gevolg van die nektar wat uit die blomme op die tuinmeubels kan drup – in ons geval is die boom egter ongeveer 30 jaar oud en alhoewel dit ‘n pragtige eksemplaarboom is, word slegs enkele blomme elke jaar gevorm. Hierdie bome se blare verseker genoeg koelte gedurende Nylstroom se warm somers. Aan die westekant van die loma is ‘n aantal witstinkhoutbome wat bladwisselend is en daarom die son gedurende die winter deurlaat met die gevolg dat die loma gedurende wintermiddae lekker sonnig is.

Tuinstoele in die loma is sodanig geplaas dat elkeen ‘n mooi uitsig op die tuin het. Verder is die loma toegerus met ‘n betonstelletjie wat as ‘n etenstafel gebruik kan word. Ten einde kos skoon te hou van vallende blare (en die baie voëltjies in die bome) kan ‘n sambreel op die tafel geplaas word. Let ook op die paalreëlings langs die patio wat die loma van die beddings afsny.

Op die agtergrond van die boonste foto kan ons bakoond gesien word. Hierdie oond is effens in die “bos” en regverdig ‘n artikel op sy eie.

Die deur van die oond is ‘n unieke 150 jaar herdenking van die Groot Trek. Die oond het ook ‘n vleisbraairooster – as alternatief gebruik ons ‘n draagbare braaier op die patio van die loma.

Die loma is sodanig ontwerp dat dit ‘n uitsig na die tuin bied met sy plate clivias, dragontrees, delicious monsters, seloums en broodbome. ‘n Goed geplaaste drink en eetplek vir voëls is ook in sig en verskaf ure se kykgenot. Kabbelende water vanaf ‘n nabygeleë visdammetjie kan gehoor word en dra by om ‘n rustige atmosfeer te skep.

Die loma het sy eie watertenk wat met boorgatwater gevul word. By die watertenk is ‘n wasbak vir die was van hande en skottelgoed. Die piesangbos langs die tenk verleen ‘n besondere tropiese atmosfeer.

Die loma word deur middel van ‘n kronkelende paadjie met die huis verbind. Bamboespalms en ander potplante help om die loma te versier en die eentonigheid van die patio te verbreek.

Plant van die week

Botaniese naam

Anthurium andraeanum 

Gewone naam

Flaminklelie

Groeibeskrywing

Die genus Anthurium is ‘n groot genus met meer as 600 soorte meerjarige, immergroen plante wat om hul ornamentele blare en aantreklike bloeiskedes met bloeikolwe gekweek word. Anthurium andraeanum (Flaminklelie) is die bekendste soort met opvallende skarlakenrooi of wit bloeiskedes. Die bloeiskedes word in die lente gedra. (Die bloeiskede is die opvallende skutblaaragtige wit of gekleurde struktuur wat op die punt van die bloeisteel gedra word en die bloeikolf gedeeltelik omring; die bloeikolf is die vlesige aar wat bo die bloeiskede uitsteek. Klein blommetjies word aan die bloeikolf gedra).

 Plasing en versorging

Die Flaminklelie is ‘n gewilde kweekhuisplant waar dit as potplant of as snyblom gekweek word. Die bloeiskedes se vaasleeftyd is besonder lank (tot 6 weke).

Plante vertoon besonder mooi in houers op beskutte plekke op patios of binneshuis.

Die ideale temperature is tussen 16 en 22 grade Celcius en onthou dat die Flaminklelie minder lig as die meeste ander soorte huisplante benodig. Blare kan gereeld met ‘n klam lappie afgevee word.

Anthuriums benodig ‘n goed gedreineerde groeimedium met baie organiese materiaal. Gee elke tweede week ‘n klein hoeveelheid opgeloste voedingstowwe.

Gespesialiseerde tegnieke word gebruik om Anthuriums in kweekhuise te verbou. Vir meer inligting kan die ‘Florcom Horticultural Services Website – www.florcom.co.za’ geraadpleeg word.

Hoogte

Lengte van die bloeistele variëer van kort tot meer as 30cm.

Land van oorsprong

Tropiese Amerika.

Gehardheid

Nie kouebestand nie en benodig gefilterde sonlig.

Voortplanting

Plant voort deur middel van stiggies of saad. Die maklikste is om plante by kwekerye te koop.

Waarskuwing

Die sap van die Flaminklelie is giftig en kan velirritasie veroorsaak. Alle dele van die plant is giftig – indien geëet sal erge maagongesteldheid voorkom.

Encephalartos arenarius

Fotos in hierdie artikel is goedgunstelik verskaf deur Johan en Petro Henning van Ellisras. Vir saailinge van verskeie broodboomsoorte kan hulle gekontak word by 082 8736 051

Die naam arenarius beteken: “groei in sanderige grond”

Volksname

Alexandria cycad, Kwa Qaba cycad.

Groeibeskrywing

Encephalartos arenarius is ‘n medium grootte broodboom met dikwels meer as een stam met die hoofstam wat soms plat op die grond lê. Suiers kom dikwels voor. Twee soorte kom voor; naamlik die meer algemene groen en die baie skaars blou soort. Vroulike keels is 500 – 600 x 250 – 300mm en liggroen van kleur. Manlike keels is 300 – 500 x 80 – 150mm. Plante dra slegs een keël per keer. Keëls is gedurende April of Mei ryp. Ryp saad is rooi van kleur. Blare is 1 tot 1,5 meter lank.

Voortplanting

Berg bestuifde vroulike sade vir een jaar. Saai sade (verkieslik in effens verhitte sand) gedurende die lente. Ontkieming behoort binne drie tot vier weke plaas te vind. Suiers kan ook gebruik word.

Tuinplasing

Encephalartos arenarius moet in sanderige grond geplant word. Plant in gedeeltelike skadu.

Gehardheid

Encephalartos arenarius is nie kouebestand nie.

Verspreiding

Encephalartos arenarius groei in sanderige duinegrond van die Ooskaap, in die Alexander gebied. Aangesien die meeste van hierdie duinwoude uitgewis is, is Encephalartos arenarius baie skaars en as ‘n bedreigde spesie verklaar. Die reënval is 725mm to 875mm per jaar en deur die jaar verspreid. Geen ryp kom voor nie en die somers is warm en droog.

Clivia nobilis

Familie :Amaryllidaceae
Gewone naam : Boslelie

Groeibeskrywing:

Hierdie is die eerste clivia wat deur plantkundiges beskryf is. (Die plantkundige J Lindley het in 1828 ‘n plant beskryf wat deur ‘n onderwyser William Burchell naby Grahamstad ontdek is)

Blare is 300 tot 600mm lank met ovaal punte. Blaarbreedte is tussen 25 en 50mm.

Blomme is kenmerkende hangende klokkies. Anders as in die geval van die meer bekende Clivia minuate is blomtyd vanaf laat herfs (Clivia miniata blom gedurende die lente).

Groeitempo is aansienlik stadiger as in die geval van die ander clivia spesies. Vandat saad ontkiem tot die plantjie blom kan tot 6 jaar duur.

Tuinplasing

Clivias moet op beskutte plekke in die skadu geplant word.

Land van oorsprong

Vanaf die Sondagsrivier se mond in die Oos Kaap tot in die binneland by Grahamstad.