Parched lawn

I tidied, mowed, snipped and raked on the weekend and things do look tidy but oh so dry. I only water the plants themselves.

Taffy lately

Big fat girl in a lovely pose.

11 Nov, 2019 - At night, with her Mumma - 

21 Dec 2019 - relaxing outside while I wander round potting up plants.

22 Dec 2019 - She's never far from her Mumma's side.

Hazy bushfire sky

New potting jobs

Potted up a few new and old things.

Kentia palm for indoors  (Howea forsteriana ) -

Once Kentia palm plants have established, they require very little care. Feed your container grown plants with a controlled release fertilizer with an NPK ratio of about 3-1-2. Excessive fertilization may cause the tips of lower leaves to turn brown and die. While normally carefree, they are prone to potassium deficiency. The first signs of this deficiency appear on the oldest leaves as necrosis on the tips. To manage this deficiency, apply a control release potassium supplement, as this is more effective than a water-soluble supplement. Kentia plants are also susceptible to deficiencies of manganese, which exhibits as leaf tip necrosis on the youngest leaves. Boron deficiencies may cause stunting of new leaves as well. Indoor grown palms rarely become diseased but may be plagued with spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. The use of insecticidal soap or neem oil can often help with any pest issues that may arise.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Indoor Kentia Palm Plants: Learn About Kentia Palm Care In The Home https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/kentia-palm/howea-forsteriana-kentia-palm.htm

blood and bone or pelletised chicken manure.

Australian natives, like all plants, need to be mulched, and you can either choose an organic based mulch like bark

They are susceptible to Mealybugs, mites and Scale. Wolverton (see information sources) gives a recipe for a non-toxic spray:

2 teaspoons (10ml) vegetable oil
1/8 teaspoon (0.6ml) washing up liquid
230ml warm tap water
Shake vigorously in a spray bottle and spray the leaves.

Little willy waggy

I noticed this little fellow last week, flitting about the western end of the yard. Here he is again today. I do hope he and his wives have taken up residence!

I saw him at the water bowl, so perhaps it's that which is keeping him near?

Further info about these cute little birds:

https://fairywrenproject.org/meet-the-fairywrens/

https://www.backyardbuddies.org.au/fact-sheets/superb-fairy-wren

https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2019/03/a-guide-to-australias-fairy-wrens/

https://birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/superb-fairy-wren

https://www.birdlife.org.au/australian-birdlife/detail/fifty-shades-of-brown-identifying-female-fairy-wrens

https://theconversation.com/it-isnt-easy-being-blue-the-cost-of-colour-in-fairy-wrens-80006