Add passion to your bed

Good air flow is important, although passion fruit plants do not fruit as well if they are subject to strong winds.

Adding plenty of organic compost to the soil prior to planting will help to ensure a free draining position.

Where plants are to be placed into areas of heavier clay, mounds of soil mixed with compost can be created and the new plants placed into the mounds.

Passion fruit plants will grow vigorously. As the plant commences its fruiting cycle, the plant system will become quite heavy, so they should be placed near some support, such as a fence, trellis or pergola.

Provided passion fruit plants have been given ideal growing situations, including a good supply of water, but avoiding extended periods where the soil is waterlogged, they should produce two crops each year, with the first crop usually appearing about 18 months after planting. Fertilising should commence at the end of summer and also at the end of winter, using a good quality, soluble fertiliser that can be sprayed onto the leaves. Fertilising should be repeated fortnightly.

Once fruits form they generally take about three months to become ripe.

They will fall to the ground when they have reached maturity. However, fruits can be picked earlier and ripened indoors, under extreme weather conditions.

Passion fruit vines generally continue to bear good crops of fruit for up to five years. They should then be replaced by younger, more vigorous vines.

One of the delights of Christmas in Australia is the flowering of the New South Wales Christmas Bush, Ceratopetalum gummiferum. The “flowers” of Christmas Bush, which are actually the coloured sepals that form after the smaller white flowers have finished, have been sold in markets for well over a century.

They last well in a vase, particularly if the stems are recut under the water every several days.

As most plants that have been available over many years have been raised from seeds, colour has been quite variable. In past years, it has generally been advisable when purchasing a NSW Christmas Bush to do so while the plant was in “flower”, as this was the only way to guarantee a well coloured product.

However, more reliable clones have been developed, with “Albery’s Red” being the main one that is available. Other varieties are being developed and trialled, particularly for use in the cut-flower market. Albery’s red variety has a compact growth, is dark red in colour and is a more reliable and early, free-flowering variety.

A dwarf form is now available. It will grow to a maximum height of about one metre. Christmas Bush plants benefit from pruning, as this will help to keep the plants compact, with younger, more vigorous wood being encouraged, rather than older, less productive branches. Cutting the flowering stems for indoor decoration is an ideal way in which to satisfy the pruning requirements, as well as allowing the flowers to be enjoyed during the festive season. Combining Christmas Bush in a vase with hydrangea flowers provides a most attractive addition to Christmas decorations.

Several plants can be brought inside for added decorations during the festive season. Poinsettias are bred specially to flower now as their large red bracts are most suitable for decorative purposes. Trees that normally grow in pots outdoors can be placed inside for limited times, with decorations added to make them festive.

Ensure the plants are placed in a position that receives a good flow of fresh air. Varieties of pine trees, including the Wollemi pine and the Daintree pine, are ideal for this purpose, provided they are placed back outside by New Year. Because indoor air is drier than that which the plant would normally experience outside, extra watering will be required. A saucer or dish should be placed under the pot to provide some humidity, as well as protecting the floor surface. A gentle hose down will remove any dust that may have accumulated on the stems.

The plants should gradually be returned to their original positions, increasing the amount of sunlight they receive each couple of days.

Two-spotted mites, also known as Red Spider mites cause damage to a variety of garden plants. This often happens without the gardener being aware of the problem until considerable damage has been done. The mites are tiny insects, about 0.5mm in length, making them difficult to see. They are greenish-yellow in colour, changing to red in autumn. They are related to spiders.

During hot, dry weather these insects suck essential juices form the leaves of fruit trees, roses, berries, azaleas and beans. The leaves lose their sheen and become mottled or bronze in colour. 

Predatory insects will attack them, while spraying with a home-made garlic spray or a low toxic insecticide will remove them. The undersides of the leaves should be targeted. Drenching the leaves with a strong jet of water over consecutive days will also be effective.