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