So, just a quick recap on the vehicle equivalent of palm trees. You could safely say that the ubiquitous Bangalow is like the Toyota Hilux of the palm scene in New Zealand. They’re everywhere. The Kentia palm is heading into European luxury car models, an Audi or lovely old Saab (especially the Kentia planted in…

Dracula, (above) as my Mum used to call him- (is Dracula ever a female?) used to reside at Matapihi, lording it over the Waipu Bay and his minions, the bromeliads & smaller succulents. He was impressive, gnarly and quite an elderly gent when Dad finally chopped him out. Around 30 years old and had never…

Now, in the depths of winter when there is very little to do other than frost protect your tenderest plants, is a great time to do a maintenance check. This can involve a fungal spray. a good weed. a pruning of dead fronds. an aeration of the soil surrounding the root zone and base of…

I am clearing out the glasshouse after many years of cultivatiing Bromeliad stock. There will be some exceptional savings, particularly with the $8.50 sale price on many mature bromeliads which will have several pups attached. An excellent way to purchase colourful and tough bromeliads en masse. Check out the savings in the Bromeliad category of…