Green With Envy: Sabrina Hahn's Weekly Gardening Advice Column
Every Saturday, Sabrina Hahn, a renowned gardening expert, dedicates her time to assisting gardeners with their most challenging plant issues in The West Australian. This week, she delves into a diverse range of topics, including a unique apple variety, troublesome citrus gall wasps, and an uncooperative avocado tree. Readers are encouraged to submit their own questions for potential inclusion in the column by writing to Ask Sabrina at GPO Box D162, Perth, 6001, or emailing home@wanews.com.au, providing their full name and suburb. Due to high demand, not all submissions can be addressed.
Apple Identification and Care
A reader from Esperance, Marilyn Hart, inquired about an apple tree on her farm in Gibson, which is over 60 years old and produces large, tart cooking apples that fluff up when cooked. Sabrina Hahn suggested it might be an English Bramley apple, noting key characteristics such as its large, flat, round shape, bright green skin, and russet coloring on top. She explained that Bramleys are triploid apples, requiring two other pollinators like Gravenstein, Gala, or Golden Delicious to set fruit effectively.
Composting Challenges and Solutions
Julie Warren from Bedfordale reported issues with her compost tumblers, where the material clumps into dry balls instead of resembling potting mix. Sabrina emphasized that successful composting depends on proper moisture, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen balance. She recommended adding half a watering can of water to a half-full tumbler and maintaining a ratio of 4 parts dry material (e.g., hay) to 1 part wet material (e.g., green lawn clippings). Daily turning and additions like seaweed solution or comfrey leaves can promote bacterial growth and improve compost quality.
Citrus Gall Wasp Infestation Management
T Wallace from Dianella asked about citrus gall wasps, noting that galls appeared on old branches rather than fresh shoots, raising concerns about egg persistence. Sabrina clarified that gall wasps can drill into hard citrus stems, not just new growth, and can travel from neighboring infested trees. To control them, she advised constant pruning of galls from February through May to prevent egg hatching, though complete eradication may require tree removal in severe cases.
Orchid Propagation Techniques
Jonathan Kester from Jane Brook observed a phalaenopsis orchid sprouting a new plant from the stem after flower removal and sought advice on propagation. Sabrina explained that many orchids, including vanda, dendrobium, and epidendrum types, are monopodial, growing vertically with roots and plantlets emerging from stem nodes. This natural cloning process allows for easy propagation by cutting off the new shoot and replanting it in orchid mix, ensuring it is not planted too deep.
Avocado Tree Concerns and General Tips
While not detailed in the original queries, Sabrina Hahn's column often addresses avocado tree issues, such as poor fruiting or growth problems. She typically recommends checking soil conditions, watering schedules, and potential pest infestations. For ongoing gardening support, readers can follow her weekly advice and stay updated with the latest tips from The West Australian.
