DIYprojects.info

Phil · Guest

Hi all,

Just now joined your discussion. I am in need of advice.

I have 70 potted Pittosporum (Eugenioides variegatum) I plant to plant
in a
rural setting. The district is between Yass and Gundagai.

Would any of you be prepared to answer a few questions I have, prior to
me
taking on the task?

Kind regards, Phil

Guest · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:57 am Post subject: Re: Pittosporums

On 8 Oct 2006 04:52:50 -0700, "Phil" <philinda58@yahoo.com.au> wrote:

Phil · Guest

Thanks Rainman .. 82 .. 82 .. 82 ..

Just thought I'd say G'day first, then ask if there was some interest
in my asking.

I'm about to plant the 70 trees within the next fortnight. Soil is
tough, drainage is same.
Lots of rock and clay soil, but I will persevere. My aim is to have a
150 yard
hedge about the two fencelines to provide a screen for dust, noise and
privacy.

Having made attempts with a 2-stroke auger, I have penetrated the
"soil"
by about 150mm in parts and 25mm in others. I figure that I will rip
the
entire section with a tractor, add some horse manure and gypsum, rebore
the holes with a 200mm auger, add more gypsum to the hole base, plus
more
fertiliser, followed by mulch. Then I plan to buy the 25 litre drip
bags to house
around each tree.

I acquired the potted trees about 3 months ago. Late frosts and high
temps
during the days appear to have played havoc with the higher stems. Some
being
a little root-bound, I have repotted. I have also trimmed back the
black and brittle
later growth. All in all, I think I have saved them.

Any other ideas on soil preparation and gravity fed watering frequency?
I may be
away from the farm for weeks at a time.

Thanks for reading.

Phil

rainman@mailinator.com wrote:

HC · Guest

G'day Phil

A very primitive watering system can be made from drums or similar
containers that you may have lying around, or be able to scavenge from
somewhere. Punch a large nail hole in the bottom and fill with water,
you have the perfect slow watering system.

We used this many years ago on a similar project to yours and it worked
really well, then again, we had an endless supply of 20 litre drums too.

Not sure if this helps? ;-)

Phil wrote:

Phil · Guest

G'day HC,

Thanks for the idea. Funny you should mention it, as I thought to use
that idea this
morning when I go to negotiate a price on the eco-bags. Unit cost is
about $10, so the
drum idea would have to work out cheap to make it worthwhile. If I use
plastic drums
I figure that I could punch in 2 drip lines to each, meaning I would
need only half as
many drums as bags, but twice the volume.

I'm also interested if I have it right with the soil preparation. Any
other suggestions other
than the gypsum and horse manure?

A horticulturist suggested I rip the entire tree line to uniformly
condition the soil so
as to avoid "spikes" in the Ph levels. As I am planting 2.75m apart, I
thought it a waste
to spend on the broad area between each tree.

Any thoughts.

Kind regards, Phil