Garden Shed complete

The garden shed is complete and has fifteen bags of potting mixture in it all ready for the potting group to start. If you would be interested in joining a small group that would look after the shade house either email us or ring
Rex 854-0973.

Blechnum filiforme

Blechnum filiformeion starting it's upward climb

This is an interesting fern in that it creeps along the ground until it finds something going up that it can cling to then starts its upward climb. As long as it stays on the ground it remains sterile and leaves are small. Once it climbs it changes form into a large leaf format and becomes reproductive.
While it is a common fern in our bush in the North Island we have it in only one location in the gully so we dug out six plugs relocating them to other areas.

Blechnum filiformeion  plug relocated

Feeding nectar-feeding birds

Photo by Clare Mansfield

Feeding nectar- feeding birds over winter is always an option in your home garden.  Even if you are unlikely to get the more exotic birds you should at least get Wax Eyes. They may be common but they are still fun to watch from your kitchen window. If you are lucky you may also get Tui, Bell Birds, and if you live in a very special part of New Zealand (not Hamilton) Stitch Birds and Saddle Backs.





This link will take you to handy hints on sugar feeding created by Banks Peninsula Tui Restoration Group: http://www.bpct.org.nz/Files/2010-SugarWaterFeeders.pdf

New Epiphytes

We have acquired another epiphyte. We think it is an Astelia solandri. This was divided into three and attached to punga logs; they now hang on the wall inside the shade house to grow on.  We have a really good selection of epiphytes now. The trick will be to find big enough trees to install them on that are not willows, then to keep them healthy once they are installed. Some are getting near the installing stage.

AGM

Yes it is that time of the year again. The Trust’s AGM is being held at 7 Carisbrook Place, Rototuna, at 7pm on Tuesday 21st July.