Welcome to the Q&A Forum

We were discussing Gardening, Growing and Green Thumbs!
With Brian Walters, Diana O'Brien and Pauline Cornish

Whether it’s planting seeds, watching your flowers blossom, growing your own vegetables or setting up a compost bin – with so many alternatives, gardening caters for everyone!

Gardening is broad and can cover such things as: landscaping, planting, harvesting, growing vegetables, organic growing and constructing garden sheds, greenhouses and water tanks just to name a few. Gardens come in many sizes from pot plants or window sill herb gardens, to backyard vegetable gardens or large farm crops. People garden for many different reasons; it can be a fun social activity (contributing to community gardens), a part of a healthy diet (growing fresh vegetables), a business (cultivating crops for sale) or a competition (entering flowers into shows).

For seniors in particular, gardening offers many health benefits, it is great for being more physically active, helping you to relax and it may also help you to reduce any stress that you feel. There is no need for great exertion when you are gardening. You can do as little or as much as you like and you can work at your own pace, meanwhile you are also helping the environment.

This forum seeks to spread the word about the great benefits of gardening as well as providing you with relevant tips and advice about the different aspects of gardening which can include: landscaping, drought tolerant gardening, planting native flowers, being water wise in your garden, and even composting.

Regardless whether you’re a novice gardener or you’re a regular green thumb - this forum is for you!

"Following the Green Way Toward Health, Well Being, and Enlightenment -Anonymous

You can have a read through the following questions and answers and view a short background to each of our panel members: Brian Walters (ASGAP), Diana O’Brien (Australian Institute of Horticulture and the Horticultural Media Association of NSW) and Pauline Cornish (to help you find the right plant for the right place). There is a list of useful resources for further information, available services and gardening associations that you can get involved with.

The following questions were answered:

Question 1:	Our garden has recently been invaded by Indian mynahs. How can we discourage these pests?	View Answer
Question 2:	I have a Magnolia Little Gem which is about 6 feet tall and has been in current position about 4yrs. It is now being overcrowded by a larger tree, and I would like to know if it can be successfully transplanted, and if so, what time of year is best. We are in Melb with light clay soil. As I am not an accomplished gardener, any extra tips you may have would be welcomed.	View Answer
Question 3:	I have several gardenias (old ones) and I would like to know if I can prune them after they finish flower and how much (if possible) can I cut off. Also many leaves go yellow anything that I can do to avoid this?? Thank you	View Answer
Question 4:	I live in perth, northern suburb. I had three kensington mangoes tree. Why is it that after flowering, most of the young mangoes fell off. Lately I had found out quite alot of spider webs around it. Is that the main cause? if so what should I do? thanks.	View Answer
Question 5:	My question is about roses. I have quite a few rose bushes in the garden however there is one, a Blue Moon Climber and for some reason the leaves on this plant seem to be wilting, like the plant doesn't have enough water, but it does. What could be the problem. Thanks for your help.	View Answer
Question 6:	I am a 56 year old hobbyist gardener in the U.S. Why do so many native Australian plants require "moist" but "well-drained" soils? The two terms don't seem to go together. Should I always amend my clay soil or just seek tolerant plants?	View Answer
Question 7:	I planted a Yellow Top Ash (Eucalyptus luehmanniana) five or six years ago on Sydney's northern beaches. Some of the leaves have a red/yellow/rust appearance which I think may be red spider mite. I haven't noticed it on the local bush mallees. I assume those leaves are permanently damaged. Can I prevent this happening. (Brian's response)	View Answer
Question 8:	I have a vine called Happy Wanderer which I recently planted. The leading tendral grew vigorously until something nipped it off. Can you tell me what sort of bug does this and how can I stop it ?	View Answer
Question 9:	Do passionfruit vines have invading root systems. I would like to plant one near a fence that has sewer pipes along side it. This is hot area.	View Answer
Question 10:	I planted a Yellow Top Ash (Eucalyptus luehmanniana) five or six years ago on Sydney's northern beaches. Some of the leaves have a red/yellow/rust appearance which I think may be red spider mite. I haven't noticed it on the local bush mallees. I assume those leaves are permanently damaged. Can I prevent this happening. (Diana's response)	View Answer
Question 11:	I have a Lisbon Lemon Tree and the fruit is sometimes deformed with multiple fingers underneath. I usually throw those out. What is it, and is there something that I can do to stop this happening. The tree is 40 years old. Location: outer Melbourne, VIC	View Answer
Question 12:	What can I do to make by rose bushes flower? The bushes grow well with plenty of foliage but do not produce rose buds. I live on the Sunshine Coast	View Answer
Question 13:	I have a Camellia Sasanqua hedge growing in full sun and some of the leaves are going brown. Any advice?	View Answer
Question 14:	I have an area that was once a lawn and it is now a dust bowl. Can I plant some ground covers to cover up the bare soil?	View Answer
Question 15:	I have an area under a Claret Ash where it is difficult to get plants to grow. What should I do?	View Answer
Question 16:	What can I do about the brown furry spots on the leaves of the grapevine on my pergola. Is this rust? Does it affect the fruit eg is it still safe to eat? I was told to clear all last year's leaves and it wouldn't come back. I did this but it has returned.	View Answer
Question 17:	Do you have any tips for making your own potting mix? Some of the bags of growing medium sold commercially seem to dry out far too quickly for my needs and our garden soil doesn’t seem to encourage good growth.	View Answer
Question 18:	I've heard that I can encourage birds into the garden by planting Grevilleas and Banksias. Is this true?	View Answer
Question 19:	I've heard that I shouldn't fertilize Australian plants. Is this correct?	View Answer
Question 20:	I grow quite a lot of Geraniums in pots but the flowers on some of them didn’t open up properly last year.	View Answer
Question 21:	Several members of my family suffer from allergies. How do I know which plants if any in my own garden might be responsible?	View Answer
Question 22:	What can we do about weeds in our cool climate lawn? It’s a problem that seems to get worse every year.	View Answer
Question 23:	Why do Australian plant enthusiasts always use botanical names? Why can't common names be used?	View Answer
Question 24:	Why do some of my Australian plants die? Shouldn't they be suited to Australian conditions?	View Answer