Botany The Acacia Grow Thread

[brokedownpalace10]

Does this mean I can piss on my acacias just like my cacti? - ah, no! Phosphate! Somewhere you said acacias are not so keen on higher phosphate?

I was always taught to use a 1:5 ratio of urine and water. When I used to garden quite a bit (before the deer got too bad), I would pee in a watering can, fill it with water and go. did this as much as I wanted and never had negative effects. The human smell helped keep critters away to an extent.

 

[acacian]

Definitely not keen on phosphate!

 

[Animistic]

After some time it seems my brother wattles are really liking their new spot. I think under the shade cloth they weren't getting as much light as they wanted, or still too much, though I think they get better light now. I've noticed that they also get late afternoon sun. At this time of year it seems like it's 11-3 and then 430-6. More of them are putting out phyllodes and they're generally just looking healthier. Except the ones that got munched by something, they died very quickly in this spot but it makes room for the floribundas I want to start.

 

[CheeseCat]

Looking good @Animistic, glad your plants are thriving. I try to give my seedlings as much light as possible and they seem ok with being pushed. I've been on holiday for just over a week and came home to some insane new growth! Was a bit anxious leaving them to be honest. One of my brother wattles has quite fat phyllodes compared to the rest, which is cool to see.

 

[CheeseCat]

December has been a great month for growth! Brother wattle, mucronata and phleb are currently my fastest growing seedlings. It’s interesting to see how varied the genetics can be in terms of growth rate from seed to seed. Mine are all about 3.5 months old now.

Last pic is of my shade cloth setup for summer now with 30% shade cloth. Hope everyone is having a relaxing break

 

[Animistic]

That's awesome growth for the age CheeseCat, I've got to work out why mine have been slower. I would say most likely the shade cloth I used was too strong, especially when I look at your shade cloth setup.

 

[acacian]

Fantastic @CheeseCat ! They're looking vibrant. Mucronata is a fun one.. I'm loving how long some of these phyllodes get. What strength shade cloth did you use @Animistic ? I found 70% worked really well for where I am.. although the sun is very strong up here already.

 

[Animistic]

@acacian

I'm not sure, I grabbed a spare bit that I saw laying around where I was living at the time. They had strong sun all day. They're really starting to put on growth now though. But I expected them to be bigger by this stage.

 

[CheeseCat]

Thanks guys!

@Animistic, some of my seedlings are slower than expected too. I think they just need more time to build roots and then they usually catch up with the others.

The shade cloth I’ve been using up until now is 50-60% shade cloth. The spot I have them gets morning sun from about 9am till about 1:30-2pm then they’re in full shade for the rest of the day, at this point I take the shade cloth off. If the day is overcast or rainy I won’t use the shade cloth at all.

I’m experimenting with 30% shade cloth which potentially is a bit risky but I think they can handle it. If they were in the sun past 2pm I would definitely stick with the 50-60% but since 1:30pm is the cut off point they should be ok. If they start to struggle I’ll switch back.

Something related to watering I’ve found is they seem to like having their foliage misted. I used to water exclusively at the base but now I mist them too. I think you mentioned this @acacian earlier in the thread, I could be wrong but I feel like it stimulates more growth.

 

[acacian]

It seems with shade cloth that it should be dynamic to the lighting situation. For example my greenhouse was open paddock.. full blast high altitude sun all day long. Really young seedlings in full sun 1100m above sea level is too much. But it sounds like for you guys such a heavy shaded cloth is not really necessary.

And yeah I think misting them is a good thing for sure @CheeseCat - but best to do early morning or night to avoid sun burn.

 

[acacian]

Growth slowed down for a bit while the direct sun was so powerful.. new growth would just get crispy after a hot day. Has finally resumed and stuffs growing again

 

[CheeseCat]

Cool . I’ve been wondering how your plants are going! What temps are you guys getting? It’s been around 23 here. Photo 11 is an interesting looking acacia, haven’t seen that one before!

Any thoughts on what might be going on with this phleb seedling acacian? …for most of the day its bi-pinnate leaves stay closed, only partially opening up in the morning then closing again. I’m starting to wonder if there’s something going on with its roots that could be pest related.

Actually, I’ve noticed the growth rate on most of my phlebs is slow, almost stalled, except for one that is miles ahead.

 

[acacian]

Hmm.. I'm not sure sorry @CheeseCat .. and its the only one doing that? I've had that happen before and was also confused as to what caused it. If I recall correctly they came good. The phlebs won't take off straight away.. they'll hover on the juvenile leaves for a bit and the first phyllodes can be slow. They will eventually start taking off. A greenhouse helps greatly I think; those of mine that grew up in the greenhouse to a largish size grew very quickly. The seedlings that I brought here when I moved in have been outside and are considerably slower. But they are starting to do a lot more now. Acacias seem to totally lap up the hot house type situation.

Photo 11 is Acacia cardiophylla.. I grabbed that one from work actually as a seedling and until about a month ago when I put a corflute guard around it, it ahd done absolutely nothing.. I remembered Snu Voogelbriender speculating that it might contain DMT. Thought I better have a crack at growing it. It really is a delightful looking acacia.

 

[CheeseCat]

Ok cheers. Yeah, it’s just the one seedling that’s doing it, otherwise seems good. A. cardiophylla looks awesome, I remember coming across Snu on youtube a few years back, such amazing info.

 

[acacian]

First flower buds forming on “white willow” flori.. can’t wait to see it bloom next year!

 

[Aum]

Hi all, a couple of my hostillis plants, (not acacias I know but I'm assuming it's okay to ask here), have been suffering from something that's caused their newer growth to curl up. It's only happened to a couple of them which happen to be the largest plants. Can anyone help me identify what's causing it?
They are in a greenhouse without shade cloth but they only receive full sun for about 4hrs max per day I would think. I'm wondering if it's heat or lack of ventilation that's the issue. I keep the door ajar and one of the vents open. I'm thinking I will open it up further. Also I haven't feed them for a month or so. And I water 1- 2 times per week.

 

[CheeseCat]

I honestly don’t know @Aum, it’s a bit of a worry when plants take a turn like this, but my first thought was it’s heat related. If its 4hrs during the first half of the day that should be ok but midday onwards they’ll likely require decent shade. I’d swing those vents/doors wide open this time of year for sure.

 

[Aum]

Thanks @CheeseCat. I'll keep the door and vents wide open. Got some cooler weather coming up for a while which will give them some time to recover a bit hopefully

 

[acacian]

Hmm.. I'm also not sure sorry Aum. I've got a similar thing happen with the new growth on my largest obtusifolia. I wonder whether it could be some kind of parasite in the soil. As @CheeseCat says, it could also be heat related.. or related to ventillation. New foliage is soft and the hot direct sun of summer can torch it. Your in NZ too though which doesn't get especially hot does it?

 

[Transform]

Might be a virus, is the feeling those mimosa pics give me. Looks survivable - fingers crossed. Would be great if it miraculously induced tryptamine production in the foliage