Wednesday 14 August 2024

Plant Sale Advert


by Admin | August 14, 2024, | Plant Sale | 0 comments

It is that time of the month again. Come and join us at our plant sale

Location: University of the Western Cape, UWC Nature Reserve Unit.  Please use the main gate West link entrance from Robert Sobukwe Road adjacent to the security gate.
 

Plant Sale Advert

by Admin | August 14, 2024, | Plant Sale | 0 comments

 Come shop at our nursery for our monthly plant sale from 08:00 a.m. To 3:00 p.m. at the University Western Cape, UWC Nature Reserve Unit. Please use the main gate, the West Link entrance from Robert Sobukwe Road, adjacent to the security gate.

Monday 22 July 2024

Plant Sale Advert

by Admin | July 22, 2024, | Plant Sale | 0 comments


It is that time of the month again. Come and join us at our plant sale

Location: University of the Western Cape, UWC Nature Reserve Unit.  Please use the main gate West link entrance from Robert Sobukwe Road adjacent to the security gate.



 

Wednesday 10 July 2024

Dracaena aletriformis

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by Admin | July 10, 2024 | Indigenous indoor plants | 0 comments


Common name: large-leaved dragon tree
Family: Ruscaceae
Origin: South Africa
 

Plant description: an evergreen, usually single-stemmed small tree that grows between 2 to 5 metres tall. It is tan-coloured bark marked with leaf scars. The leaves, crowded near the top of the stems, are glossy green, leathery, strap-shaped, and slightly drooping, reaching up to 1 meter in length. During summer (November to February), tall spikes of sweetly scented, tiny, yellow-green flowers bloom, followed by striking orange berries.

Use: Ideal for containers, a great filler piece, or as a stand-alone plant in the shade or on forest grounds. Beautiful outdoors under the tree canopy and indoor spaces like offices, glasshouses, and reception areas.
Light and position: prefers shade

Water requirement: medium water requirement (water consistent during the growing season and less during winter).

Plant care: plant in well-drained fertile soil and composted soil. Keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn. Re-pot only every 18 to 24 months, ideally during the growing season. When re-potting, choose a pot with good drainage 5 to 10 cm larger than the root ball. The pot will give the plant enough space to grow.

Pest and diseases: generally disease-free, but look out for snails as they can cause damage.

Propagation: to grow more Dracaena aletriformis, use seeds or cuttings. It grows easily from fresh seeds. Remove the sticky, orange pulp before sowing as it contains a growth inhibitor that will slow germination. Sow seeds in spring or summer in a compost-rich medium. Place seeds in the shade. Cuttings should be taken from the stem. Stem or side-shoot cuttings will root well in a sand/fern fibre mix.

Thursday 4 July 2024

Community Outreach Programme

by Admin | July 05, 2024, | Plant of the month | 0 comments

A community outreach program allows organisations or individuals to connect with a community and address its needs. We were privileged as UWC Nature Reserve to work hand in hand with Tembaletu Protective Workshop to meet them at their point of need and learn from one another. 

The goals of a community outreach program include: 
  •  To improve the quality of life for community members
  •  To raise awareness of important issues
  •  To build relationships between the organisation or individual and the community
  •  To empower community members to make positive changes
The visit promoted environmental awareness and the use of indigenous plants through educational gardening and propagation activities.

Here are some of the topics that were covered: 
  1.  Parts of a plant 
  2. Types of roots 
  3. Soil types 
  4. Gardening tools 
  5. What plants need to grow
  6. How to make new plants and keep the old ones (Propagation) 
  7. Types of plants 
  8. Indigenous and exotic plants

Monday 22 April 2024

Plant Sale Advert

by Admin | April 22, 2024, | Plant Sale | 0 comments


Come shop at our nursery for our monthly plant sale from 08:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the University Western Cape, UWC Nature Reserve Unit. Please use the main gate West Link entrance from Robert Sobukwe Road, adjacent to the security gate.

Friday 19 April 2024

Trees

by Admin | April 19, 2024, | Gardening tips | 0 comments

🌳Trees are essential components of the environment, providing benefits to ecosystems and human well-being. However, what exactly is a tree? Simply put, a tree is a woody perennial plant with a single main stem or trunk, typically growing to a considerable height and bearing lateral branches. In his book 'What's That Tree?', Eugene Moll defines a tree as a free-standing woody plant that generally reaches a height of 3-4 meters and has a girth of at least 100mm (about the length of the long edge of a credit card) at chest height.

One of the key benefits of having trees is their ability to produce oxygen through photosynthesis, which is essential for all living organisms. They act as carbon sinks by absorbing pollutants to help mitigate climate change. Trees provide habitats for wildlife and food for birds and small animals such as squirrels, offer shade and cooling effects, reduce noise pollution, and enhance the overall aesthetics of an area.

In gardens, trees can offer several advantages. They can increase property value, provide privacy, reduce energy costs by providing shade in the summer and windbreaks in the winter, and create a tranquil and attractive outdoor space. However, there are also some disadvantages to consider. Trees can be costly to maintain, shed leaves, and damage pipes and foundations.

It is imperative to consider numerous factors when buying or growing a tree. When selecting a tree, choose one with a straight trunk, evenly spaced branches, and a healthy root system. Avoid trees with signs of disease, pest infestation, or damage. When choosing a tree, ensure it will fit comfortably in your yard without overcrowding or causing obstruction when it reaches maturity. The size of your yard does matter when choosing a tree, as you will need to select a species that fits the space available and will not overgrow the area as it grows.

By carefully selecting and planting trees, we can enhance our surroundings, improve air quality, and create a healthier and more sustainable environment for future generations.

Name of a tree Size Aspect Unique features
Brachylaena discolor
Coast silver oak
4 – 10 m Shade, full sun Evergreen
Drought resistant
Medicinal and cultural uses
Excellent bee tree
Non-invasive root system
Ideal for coastal, parks and school gardens
Makes an excellent hedge or windbreak.
Combretum kraussii
forest bushwillow

7 –9 m Shade, full sun Semi-deciduous
Drought resistant
Can tolerate heavy clay soil
Minimal waste (leaf /fruit shedding)
Non-invasive root system
Good screening tree
Medicinal plant
Curtisia dentata
Assegaai tree

15 m Full sun Evergreen
Coastal tolerance
Ideal for hedge/screen
Attracts birds
Wind tolerance
Suitable for a small garden
Suitable to plant indoors
Medicinal plant

 

Dovyalis caffra
Kei apple

2 – 5 m Full sun or semi-shade Evergreen
Drought resistant
Attracts birds and butterflies
Edible plant
Makes an excellent security hedge or windbreak.
Ekebergia capensis
Cape ash

15 m Full sun Evergreen
Edible plant
Drought resistant
Attracts birds & butterflies
Used to make furniture
Medicinal plant