​TULIPS
Growing Tulips in our warmer climate
Yes, tulips do grow better in cooler climates but you can share the pleasure in warmer climates too!
Imagine a beautiful tub of colour to enjoy in late winter that will be the envy of all of your neighbours. It will probably not be possible for you to get flowers from the bulbs in the next year but the 2-3 weeks of pleasure that you obtain from these stunning flowers is well worthwhile


Just follow these simple steps:
1. Select your bulbs from the medium and tall growing bulbs, not the rockery types. The safest ones to grow are those marked for warm climates.
2. Do not take delivery of your tulips until at least March (this protects the bulbs from the worst of your summer heat)
3. Between mid-March and early April put the bulbs in the crisper of your fridge for 6-8 weeks until late May
4. Plant the bulbs in a large pot/tub with up to 10 bulbs for a 20 cm pot, 20 bulbs for a 30 cm pot, 35 bulbs for a 40 cm pot and up to 50 bulbs for a 50 cm pot. (You can under-plant with violas and reduce the number of tulips.) Use a good quality potting mix.
5. Place the tub in the coldest place in your garden, with absolutely no sun, until the shoots are about 5 cm high.
6. Move the tub to your preferred display position, full sun or shade, and enjoy the spectacle of the rapid growth and flowering of the tulips. \

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Proteas 
These delightful plants come in a range of sizes and colour.  Proteas are hardy and adaptable to most soil conditions and will thrive in your garden with a little extra care.  Most varieties prefer a nice sandy, open, acid soil with a ph below 6.

1.  Plant in well-drained soil. – Firstly, condition the soil by digging in compost and gypsum.  This will break up any residual clay.
2. Proteas love an open sunny position.  The more sun you give them, the more flowers they’ll give you.
3. Once planted do not cultivate around the plant and pull out any weeds by hand.
4. Mulch around the plant to protect the roots, use a natural mulch such as bark, leaves or sugarcane mulch.
5.  Keep proteas well-watered  until they are established, during hot weather water daily.  Once established water frequency will depend on the prevailing conditions and variety.
6. All proteas will handle light frost down to minus 2 degrees, while some varieties coping with frost right down to minus 6 degrees.
7. Proteas need little feeding unless conditions are severe.  Only use a native osmocote or a low phosphorus fertilizer.

 
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‘The answer lies in the soil’

Organic conditioners enhance soil texture and supply nutrients your plants need.

Many soil problems can be corrected by simply adding natural organic conditioners such as composted animal manures to well composted leaf matter.  This not only improves the soil drainage but also adds vital nutrients to maintain healthy plants.  The best time to condition the soil is before you plant in early spring which will ensure the new growth gets the best start.

Q.  How do I get water to penetrate my soil?  It is like powder and sheds the water.

A.  This particular type of soil is lacking in organic matter (humus) and can be improved by increasing the humus content of the soil.  As this soil is very dry begin by applying a liquid soil wetter, then cultivate your garden bed and thoroughly blend in organic matter such as well composted animal manures, mushroom compost along with dolomite lime.  Apply a second application of liquid soil wetter before planting. 

At time of planting add water crystals to the hole ensuring moisture stays at the root-ball, water crystals continue to be effective for up to 5 years.  Mulch around your plants with sugar cane mulch, this will assist in the soil retaining moisture and as it rots into the soil will add to the humus content of the garden bed.  The humus content will need to be renewed from time to time, especially in annual flower and vegetable beds which are continually cultivated.

Q.  My soil is very sandy, what can I do to retain more moisture and to improve my soil?

A.  Sandy soil consists of large air spaces between particles allowing good drainage but unfortunately does not hold moisture or nutrients well.  This can be improved by adding organic matter, mushroom compost and best of all, animal manures.  Green manure crops are also an excellent additive when dug into the soil.  Peat is also good for holding moisture in the soil, this should be moistened before adding to the soil.  The humus content of sandy soil will need to be renewed regularly.

Q.  I have clay soil which holds the moisture, what do you suggest I do to improve my soil?

A.  The particles of clay soils are tightly packed together therefore the drainage and aeration is poor.  Improve the soil by adding organic matter along with gypsum, this will help the soil to function more effectively turning the clay particles into crumbs.  Do not dig when too wet as the crumb structure of clay soil will be destroyed and do not dig so deeply as to bring subsoil to the surface.  Clay soil will benefit from regular applications of organic matter and gypsum.

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Freesias
An easy to grow autumn planting bulb that brings a delightful fragrance and show to the spring garden.  Once planted they can be left undisturbed for several years.  Freesias will grow in semi-shade but do best in an open sunny position.   Freesias make a stunning show well mass planted and are particularly attractive grown in clumps or in rockery pockets.  Excellent for cut flowers too.


Tips on planting and care of freesias
*Freesias grow best in an open sunny position but also grow well under shrubs and trees. 
*Thrive in a friable well-drained soil with an application of complete fertilizer worked into the soil before planting.       Another application each spring and autumn will maintain vigorous healthy growth.
*Plant bulbs at a depth that is equal to twice the length of the bulb and approximately 8cm apart.
*Water well at planting and then weekly during growth and flowering.  Stop watering once the plant starts to die       down.
*Apply blood and bone or another slow release fertilizer after the blubs have shot and regularly feed with Manutec     Bloom Booster or Miracle Gro Flowers & Bloom Food until the flowering season has past.  
*Bulbs can be lifted once the foliage has died down completely.  Store in a cool, dry position.

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As the summer heat intensifies the delightful spring blooms begin to fade.  Add a few bright spots to the garden or patio with annuals that are at their best during summer.  Prepare the soil by adding plenty of organic compost, this not only improves the soil structure and moisture retention but also adds vital nutrients to maintain healthy plants.  Water regularly with Thrive or Miracle-Gro every 14 days.  Regularly remove any spent blooms to encourage new growth and enjoy a longer lasting display of cheerful colour during summer.


Alyssum
Showy hardy annual bearing masses of long lasting flowers available in shades of pink, mauve and white.  Suitable for a sunny or part shaded position.  Ideal for borders, rockeries or container growing.

Celosia
A vibrant annual  producing feathery plumes in brilliant shades of red, yellow, scarlet and orange.  Once established these heat-loving plants are drought tolerant and perfect for brightening up the summer garden.  Select a sunny well drained position.  Ideal for creating massed display of colour in the garden and for container growing.  Apply the water to the base of plant to avoid fungal disease.

Dahlias
Dahlias produce a long lasting display of bold and bright blooms in a wide range of colours.  Ideal in a sunny well drained position.  Ideal for mass planting, containers and borders, regularly remove spent blooms.  These perennial plants can continue performing for years by cutting plants to the ground after the foliage has died in late autumn.  The tubers may be left in the ground in warmer areas if soil is well drained.

Dianthus
Create an excellent display with these sweetly scented fringed flowers which come in shades of pink, red, mauve and white.  Thrive in any sunny position.  Ideal for adding colour to the summer garden, borders and rockeries.  Trim off the spent blooms to encourage regrowth and more blooms.

Marigolds
A hardy annual that can be grown all year round in frost free regions. Marigolds make an impressive show with their double heads of blooms that range in colour from pale lemon to deep gold.  Thrive in a sunny well drained position in the garden.  Ideal for container growing and as borders in the vegie patch, helping deter insect pests.  Remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

Petunias
A showy colourful annual creating a brilliant display wherever it’s planted.  Thrives in a sunny well drained soil enriched with organic compost.  Available in a variety of colours with magnificent single, double or frilled blooms.  Ideal for mass planting, borders, troughs, tubs and hanging baskets.

Vinca
A brilliant little annual often known as ‘Periwinkles’, it makes a delightful display of colour in gardens, borders, containers and rockeries.  Thrives in a sunny or part shaded position.  Vincas come in shades of soft pink, white, carmine-pink and deep rose.  Trim back after flowering to encourage regrowth.

For more tips and hints visit our website www.kingaroygardencentre.com.au or call in and visit our nursery.