Episode: #13 9/12/06
Presenter: Paul Hoffman

With Christmas just around the corner and you looking for that personalised gift or something a little different then Paul has just the thing; hanging baskets.

Creating a display of hanging baskets really brings an element of style to any veranda or deck and you can grow a wide range of your favourite plants.

There is a wide range hanging pots to choose from but the secret to success is the potting mix. Paul always uses a premium potting mix like Thrive, and to make the job easier go for the one with controlled release fertiliser add in and this one has a wetting agent which allows water to be absorb more quickly and will last longer between drinks.

It doesn?t hurt to sprinkle in a few water crystals to really drought proof your plants and keep the potting mix always a few centimetres from the top so the water won?t over flow but can soak in.

Another gift idea is to divide up some bromeliads from the garden and replant into a decorative pot. Bromeliads look great in containers and make a real statement. This is a great gift idea for family and friends.

Dig up an existing clump of bromeliads and using a pair of sharp secateurs cut of one of the pups at the base. As Bromeliads are naturally epiphytic they really like a well drained potting mix. Add a few good hand fulls of bark to the mix to really open it up.

With friends and family likely to drop in for Christmas, it is a good idea to get your plants in order. Another gardening job to do this month is to fertilizer your native plants. Native Gymea lily?s (Doryanthes excelsa) are one of the tallest lilies in the world but like some of our native plants can be a bit fussy when it come to phosphorus. So to be on the safe side, always stick with a fertilizer especially formulated for Natives.

Garden gold is the perfect choice. It also has the add advantage of a wetting agent which will help lock in moisture, essential in these dry times.
So with Christmas around the corner, why not make some living presents for the whole family.

Thrive Premium Potting Mix

• Ideal for all potted plants and shrubs including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegetables and herbs.
• Contains Nutricote controlled release fertiliser to feed up to nine months.
• Added wetting agent allows the mix to absorb water quickly thoroughly and allows for easy re-wetting of the mix.
• Organic based blend.

Waterwise Water Storage Crystals

• When added to potting mix or garden soil, the crystals absorb up to 500 times their own weight in water.
• The water is released over a period of time as the plants require it.
• Reduce water usage and increase the times between watering.
• Effective for up to five years and biodegrade harmlessly.
• Prevents the soil from drying out, improves soil aeration and drainage.
• Potassium based.

Garden Gold for Australian Native Plants

• A complete fertiliser formulated specifically with a low level of phosphorus for Australian native plants.
• Contains nitrogen for healthy foliage growth, potassium for encouraging flowering and trace elements for complete plant health.
• Low application rate.
• Easy to use shaker pack.