Caring for your Plants
Narkabundah Nursery: Caring for Your Plants Guide
At Narkabundah Nursery, we believe every plant deserves proper care to thrive and grow. Whether you’re a novice gardener or an experienced green thumb, this guide will help you keep your plants healthy and vibrant. Follow these tips to nurture your plants at home.
- Choosing the Right Spot
Each plant has its own needs, but most plants can be grouped into three categories based on their light requirements:
Full Sun Plants: Need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Part Sun Plants: Thrive in areas with filtered sunlight or 4-6 hours of light.
Full Shade Plants: Prefer less than 4 hours of sunlight, often in dappled light.
Check your plant’s label for light requirements and place them accordingly.
- Watering
The key to proper watering is balance. Too much or too little water can harm your plant.
General Rule: Water when the top 2.5cm of soil is dry.
How to Water: Water deeply to encourage strong root systems. Ensure water reaches the root zone, but avoid letting your plants sit in standing water.
Signs of Overwatering: Yellowing leaves, soggy soil, or fungus growth.
Signs of Underwatering: Wilting, dry or crispy leaves, and slow growth.
Tip: When using containers, use pots with drainage holes to avoid root rot.
- Soil and Fertilisation
The right soil mix ensures that your plants get the nutrients and drainage they need.
Australian natives prefer low phosphorus soils and fertilisers, although some will tolerate phosphates (eg, Isopogons)
Choose the Right Soil: When planting in containers use a good quality potting mix suitable for Australian Natives.
When planting in the ground choose plants suitable for the soil type as indicated in the description or on the plant label.
Fertilising: For most plants, when planting in the ground fertilise using a good quality fertiliser suitable for Australian Natives, Low P (low phosphate) Follow up with with repeat applications as required
*Tip:* Reduce fertilising when plants are dormant or slower growing.
**Please contact us for further instructions if unsure.
- Pruning and Maintenance
Regular pruning encourages healthy growth and prevents pests.
Remove Dead Leaves & Flowers: Trim away dead or dying foliage as required to keep plants healthy and to direct energy towards new growth.
Prune for Shape: Cut back leggy growth or trim for shape in shrubs and flowering plants.
*Tip:* Clean your pruning shears with rubbing alcohol between uses to prevent disease spread.
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- Pest Control
Healthy plants are less prone to pests, but issues can arise.
Inspect Regularly: Look for discolored leaves, holes, sticky residue, or visible insects.
Natural Remedies: Neem oil or insecticidal soap are safe for most plants.
Common Pests: Aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies are common nuisances, but they can be controlled with regular monitoring and treatment.
*Tip:* Isolate new plants for a week or two before introducing them to your garden to prevent pests.
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- Repotting
As plants grow, they may outgrow their containers. Repotting gives them more room to grow and fresh soil for better nutrition.
Signs Your Plant Needs Repotting: Roots growing out of drainage holes, soil drying out quickly, or stunted growth,
How to Repot: Choose a pot approx 5cm larger than the current one. Carefully remove the plant, trim dead roots, “tease” the roots if needed and place it in the new pot with fresh soil.
*Tip:* Repot during the growing season for the least shock to your plant.
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- Seasonal Care
Plants have different needs during each season.
Spring & Summer: This is the growing season for most plants. Water more frequently and fertilise according to instructions on packet..
Autumn: Reduce watering and fertilising as your plant prepares for dormancy.
Winter: Many plants rest during winter, so water less and keep potted plants them in bright indirect light.
*Tip:* Move cold-sensitive potted plants indoors during the winter.
Common Plants at Narkabundah Nursery and Their Care Needs
Australian natives prefer low phosphorus soils and fertilisers so when looking for potting mix or fertilisers be sure to select a good quality low phosphorus product.
Some Australian natives in the Myrtaceae, Fabaceae and Proteacea families for example, require iron supplement when leaves show signs of yellowing. (If in doubt please email us a photo and we can suggest possible solutions)
– Actinodiums: Full sun, water sparingly, and plant in well draining soil or potting mix.
– Proteacea: When planting, select a location with good light and air flow, preferably don’t crowd the plants to reduce fungal infections.
Water deeply, prune after flowering, stake to support top heavy flowering plants.
– Eucalyptus: Stake, water deeply, plant with plenty of space away from structures and other plants.
For more personalized care instructions, feel free to visit us at Narkabundah Plant Nursery. Or drop us a line at narkabundahnursery@gmail.com
We’re always happy to help you grow.