Department: Glass
WATERING
I watered Greg’s area in Tropical Display, things like
Aglaonema &
Dieffenbachia (both Araceae) their leaves were just misted, whilst
Anthurium (Araceae),
Calathea (Marantaceae) was given a good drink. The south facing side of the glasshouse dries out quicker so needs more watering, though plants sited there are more suited for that area e.g.
Tillandsia and
Codiaeum (Euphorbiaceae). Semi aquatics surround the pond area so that needs more watering, around this there are plants like
Alocasia and
Colocasia (again both Araceae). Ferns mounted on trees, hanging balls of
Platycerium - Staghorn Fern needs to be given a good spray every day, Spanish Moss
Tillandsia usneoides is misted every day and so is the Jade Vine
Strongylodon macrobotrys, and the
Vanilla planifolia - Vine Orchid. Pots and hanging baskets are also a good drink everyday - there are two big pot plants - a cocoa tree
Theobroma cacao and coffee tree -
Coffea arabica, the lipstick plant
Aeschynanthus pulcher in a standing basket has to be watered inside the pot and for the water not to touch the leaves if possible because it scorches.
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| Photo 1: The Aeschynanthus pulcher |
ALPINE
Then it was the Grand Curatorial Day in Alpine. I was allocated to help with doing the potting of the true alpines, with which there are many of. We repotted them in a general alpine mix (these were not ones that had special requirements e.g. lime), redressed the top with 1cm of grit (this was done generously and it was good to mound up the grit a little). Many of the plants were delicate so had to be picked through with a tweezer or snips, but some had a hard cutting back too.
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| Photo 2: Classic alpine - long root system |
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| Photo 3: Hysterionica pulchella |
The Hysterionica pulchella had root nematode damage, as can be seen in the photo below. Small nodules on roots not characteristic of this Asteraceae plant. It is known to be present in the sand beds of the Elliot House where the true alpines are housed. It can reduce the plants vigour overtime and eventually kill it by doing so. There is drench from Australia that John Massey uses that is said to be effective.
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| Photo 4: Presence of root nematode. |
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| Photo 5: Phlox kelseyi with a harsh cut back. |
