Comments on: Grevillea Rosmarinifolia http://www.gardeningnativeplants.com/grevillea-rosmarinifolia/ Gardening Tough, Drought Tolerant Plants Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:19:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Rebel Gardener http://www.gardeningnativeplants.com/grevillea-rosmarinifolia/comment-page-1/#comment-258 Rebel Gardener Sat, 10 Apr 2010 08:03:04 +0000 http://www.gardeningnativeplants.com/?p=1200#comment-258 Hi Michelle different Grevilleas will respond differently to pruning, in so far as some can be pruned really hard while with others it's best to tip prune. I always say if you're unsure just prune the branches back by about a third to be on the safe side or if you'd like to experiment pick just one branch and cut it back below the green growth and wait to see if the bare branch regrows. Also if you're in frost prone area, pruning in autumn may lead to fresh new growth in winter that may get damaged by frost. If this applies to you it may be best to prune in spring or after the risk of frost has passed. The only time I ever fertilize natives is if they're in pot and only with native/low phosphorus fertilizer. I sometimes use seasol but this is tonic rather that a fertilizer. Sounds as if they're grown to 1m since last October that they seem to be doing ok without it. Most grevilleas need water for the first summer or two to get established and after that they should survive on rainfall (as a rule depending on where you live). I think that also as a rule more plants, including natives, die from over watering rather than under watering which is normally caused by badly draining soil. Living WA though, my bet is that you've probably got a sandy soil which means it may be more difficult to over water so the question is more if they need the water rather that too much water being harmful. So coming into the cooler months you can definatley back it off or stop all together. Just keep an eye on the moisture content of the soil though and use your judgment. I fyou let me know the variety of grevilleas you have I can be more specific on the pruning if you like. All the best. Hi Michelle different Grevilleas will respond differently to pruning, in so far as some can be pruned really hard while with others it’s best to tip prune. I always say if you’re unsure just prune the branches back by about a third to be on the safe side or if you’d like to experiment pick just one branch and cut it back below the green growth and wait to see if the bare branch regrows. Also if you’re in frost prone area, pruning in autumn may lead to fresh new growth in winter that may get damaged by frost. If this applies to you it may be best to prune in spring or after the risk of frost has passed. The only time I ever fertilize natives is if they’re in pot and only with native/low phosphorus fertilizer. I sometimes use seasol but this is tonic rather that a fertilizer. Sounds as if they’re grown to 1m since last October that they seem to be doing ok without it. Most grevilleas need water for the first summer or two to get established and after that they should survive on rainfall (as a rule depending on where you live). I think that also as a rule more plants, including natives, die from over watering rather than under watering which is normally caused by badly draining soil. Living WA though, my bet is that you’ve probably got a sandy soil which means it may be more difficult to over water so the question is more if they need the water rather that too much water being harmful. So coming into the cooler months you can definatley back it off or stop all together. Just keep an eye on the moisture content of the soil though and use your judgment. I fyou let me know the variety of grevilleas you have I can be more specific on the pruning if you like. All the best.

]]> By: Michelle Pratt http://www.gardeningnativeplants.com/grevillea-rosmarinifolia/comment-page-1/#comment-257 Michelle Pratt Sat, 10 Apr 2010 03:10:32 +0000 http://www.gardeningnativeplants.com/?p=1200#comment-257 I live in WA; about 50km south of Perth. In October 2009 I planted 10 grevilleas (little honey type) about 1m apart in the hope of making a short hedge to screeen an area of garden. The plants are now about 1m tall. Yesterday one of the sheep ate 2 of the plants (which I will replace with about 20cm plants) and I am wondering: a) how do I prune the existing plants b) do I need to fertilise the plants c) they receive water from a sprinkler, but given its autumn and we've had some rain, should I keep watering them or change the water system to drip line? Thanks very much for your help. Michelle I live in WA; about 50km south of Perth. In October 2009 I planted 10 grevilleas (little honey type) about 1m apart in the hope of making a short hedge to screeen an area of garden.
The plants are now about 1m tall. Yesterday one of the sheep ate 2 of the plants (which I will replace with about 20cm plants) and I am wondering:

a) how do I prune the existing plants
b) do I need to fertilise the plants
c) they receive water from a sprinkler, but given its autumn and we’ve had some rain, should I keep watering them or change the water system to drip line?

Thanks very much for your help.
Michelle

]]>