Pitcairnia flammea

Pitcairnia flammea, the 'flame' Bromeliad

This is one of the more cold tolerant bromeliads from Brazil which forms a rosette or clump of long smooth leaves , dark green in colour on the surface and felty white beneath. The layer of white is called scurf which sounds like some form of dandruff which it resembles. This is the first time I have seen a flower on this Brom . The flower spike does resemble a flaming torch but it does lurch over under the weight of the head. As it requires a certain amount of soil moisture to do well, it is better suited to a woodland garden of retentive humus rich soil rather than the dry shade under trees which other bromeliads are able to cope with. When not on flower this plant can look a bit scruffy when not given ideal growing conditions, with the leaves becoming marked and ragged when water stressed. It will take a full sun position but the leaves may be paler verging on yellow.
2017 update: I have plants available from time to time.

Plant pathology:Clover stunt virus on beans

Downward curving leaves and thickened stems characteristic of clover stunt virus which is spread by several species of aphid including the green peach aphid and the potato aphid. Flowers and thus bean pods do not develop. This crop of dwarf butter beans was planted in early February ,which is a difficult time of year for vegetable gardening on the warm humid coast when insect pests are at their most active.The cabbage white butterflies have been seen in vast numbers during this month.

Globe Amaranth,Gomphrena globosa

Globe Amaranth
 Gomphrena globosa

This summer flower is easy to grow from seed and is long lasting as the flowers consist of round heads of papery bracts which are quite raspy or prickly to touch but pleasingly retain their colour for picking as a dried flower. It is native to Guatemala and Panama and is therefore quite resistant to prolonged hot weather and even dry spells.The entire plant is neatly rounded to about 60cm and there is also a smaller compact variety called 'Little Buddy' which lives up to its name and is a good edging plant in a flower border or amongst vegetable plants.
In warm climates, flowering continues well into autumn and it is worth scattering a few seed heads around as it sometimes makes a welcome return the following year.

Hot summer border

A hot weekend ahead with the mercury set to go over 30C again.The late English gardener and writer Christopher Lloyd was the master of the hot summer border using colours to enliven the sometimes dull and grey British weather. In this local garden, red, yellow and orange coloured leaves and flowers of Amaranthus, are grown with black leafed Dahlia 'Fire Mountain', spikey accents provided by Agave americana and Bechorneria yuccoides. Background shrubs include Callistemon 'Great Balls of Fire",a neat rounded shrub to 1 metre which produces flushes of bright red new growth.

Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium

Feverfew,Tanacetum parthenium

Double flowering Feverfew,Tanacetum parthenium 'Plenum' syn 'White Bonnet'

Feverfew is one of those plants which has been grown both as an ornamental garden plant and medicinal herb for centuries throughout the world, far and wide from its native habitat of the rocky and scrubby hillsides of the Balkan Peninsula. In Australia it is equally at home in sub-tropical Queensland and cooler temperate climates of the south. The vernacular name Feverfew is derived from the Latin words febris.....a fever, and fugare....to drive away, hence it was first known as febrifuge for its tonic and fever dispelling properties. There has been much confusion as to its position in the botanical world and at various times has been included in genus' Chrysanthemum, Pyrethrum, Matricaria and Leucanthemum and finally Tanacetum. It often confused with and substituted for the insect repellent plant Pyrethrum daisy which is in fact Tanacetum cinerariifolium. The botanical name is derived from Greek, tanacetum from athanasia meaning immortality, because the flowers are long lasting; and parthenium because it was used to save the life of a man who fell from the Parthenon when it was being built. This fact according to the Greek biographer and moralist Plutarch and perhaps an urban myth.
As a medicinal herb, Feverfew is used today in the treatment of rheumatism and for those suffering migraine headaches but in centuries past it was used specifically for women's health and well-being. In the 18th century, a decoction of leaves was given to women as a cure for hysteria and large quantities were simmered in water and then used as a sitz bath for ladies' private parts. The real cure for hysteria did not come till the late 19th century with the invention of the vibrator. This aspect of cultural history currently under the spotlight, in the Sydney Theatre Company production of the play In the Next Room by Sarah Ruhl.
Feverfew is seldom grown as a commercial nursery plant but seed is usually available from organic seed suppliers and plants always turn up at Church fetes, which is where I picked up the double flowering form. The golden leafed varieties are worth seeking out as they brighten shady gardens and are undemanding as to growing conditions.The cultivar 'Golden Moss' often makes an appearance in floral clocks and as an edging bedding plant for its acid yellow leaves and neat appearance. All varieties could be described as short lived perennials but once established they self seed and replace themselves without ever becoming weedy. It will grow anywhere but prefers well drained soil preferably enriched with some compost. In partial shade the foliage becomes larger, greener and more fern like. At this time of year I cut my plants back hard as the foliage is often marked and damaged by leaf miner, the only pest which seems to affect it. Under ideal growing conditions, plants can reach 60cm and the mass of tiny white daisy flowers on tall stems make it a terrific cut flower.

Plant pathology:Collar Rot on eggplant

My favourite Eggplant variety, 'Snowy' is mellow and creamy tasting

Sudden demise of healthy eggplant at fruiting stage

February is the worst month for fungal type soil borne diseases which cause problems as 'Damping off' of seedlings and collar rot in vegetable plants such this eggplant. Most are caused by species of Phytophthora which are active during times of high rainfall, heat and humidity. The word Phytophthora is from the Greek and literally means plant destroyer. When it strikes there is not much to be done other than binning infected plants. Prevention methods include practising crop rotation, avoiding thick mulch around the base of plants and spacing of individual plants well apart from neighbours to allow for good air circulation.

The Ping Chilli

Chilli variety Ping

I am always buying those delicious small round chilli peppers stuffed with feta cheese, so this summer I decided to grow the variety which are used to make the pickled snacks I love. Unfortunately I will not have enough to even make a jar full but I can always save the seed to grow more next year.This is not a really hot variety and could be said to have only a moderate level of capsaicin, the lipophilic chemical which causes the burning sensation in the mouth. (For the chemical heads out there it is methyl vanillyl nonenamide)