Some work at the entrance of the station

Yesterday John, Jacky and I brought a couple of trailerloads with chips to the small enclosure with rhododendrons and a few (big) trees (which?) at the side of the entrance to the station; and John and I finished the job today.
Wilma cleaned up that area a few months ago. And she watered the rhododendrons a couple of times.
Now we dumped a good load of chips, and we planted a Rhododendron ‘Crest’ (that has been in the homestead garden since 19…, and was taken out by Diane and Steven with the digger). We put it on the trailer and brought it down.

We dug a big hole and brought a trailer with soil to put it right in it’s place. Finally we dropped a last load of chips around it. Now we can only hope that it survives. The weather was quite good for this operation. Yesterday it rained a bit. It rained during the night, and Monday it rained a lot!
We planted a lot of Agapanthus cuttings in the area as well.

On the other side of the road we planted a Magnolia, and put a protection around it.

Remarks:
– One of the big trees is growing quite close to the power line.
– Anne Holden will put some additional nutrients around the rhodos.
– The trees need some pruning next year.

Easter Monday

I did some work in the Azalea Area again this morning.
The last 4 wheelbarrows. If I counted it right there are 54 rhodo’s in the area.

Did 4 more wheelbarrows on older / bigger shrubs.

I went looking for 2 specimen of Castanea sativa (sweet chestnut). They are in the catalogue, but I couldn’t find them. Ask Uncle Bob about them!

10 more wheelbarrows

Today again 10 wheelbarrows in Azalea Area.
Total is now 50. Only a few more to go!

Kabouter in the Azalea Area at Good Friday

Today I brought again 10 wheelbarrows of chips to the rhodos.
Did some raking. Made some pictures.

Diane and Paula (Terry’s wife) have been planting Daffodils in the Azalea area.
I don’t know what Daffodils. I found a package thing. But it doesn’t say much.

Rhododendron 'Mount Loma Prieta'

Rhodo Mount Loma Prieta. CHG 2008
online catalogue (CHG = Cross Hill Gardens) says:
(Unknown Parentage) Soft pink flowers with a warm apricot yellow centre, giving the overall impression of apricot. Bronze new foliage. (here a picture of flower).
But Rhododirect NZ says: orange / apricot – (concatenans x Full House)

It looks like a typical nz hybrid. see: some list of pfpnet (pfpnet.com is plant software “for professionals” / Hamilton NZ):
Rhododendron Mt Loma Prieta – Wide florets of reddish orange on a very large truss. Superb colouring. 2m

Can’t google other sources.

Next 2 pictures of Azalea ‘Soft Lights’ from Allenton Nurseries (paper label)

Azalea 'Soft Lights'

Azalea 'Soft Lights'

Can’t download the catalogue of Allenton Nurseries (Ashburton). Check this with Diane.
Bad protection, by the way!

Next tree pictures: Rhododendron no label!

Rhodo no label

Rhodo no label

Rhodo no label

Planted 2008 – no label
Ask Diane about this!
It makes some nice sprouts!

I would like to check all the rhodos/azaleas in the Azalea Area and try to compile a complete list (some of the older rhodos are not (properly) labeled as well)!
Made a first list of species in the area from catalogue last year.
I’ll try to find that list.

A picture with a nice view over the lake with autumn colours

The Homestead and Isobel's Cottage

Did I tell that there have been some little bulls in the area? They did a lot of damage (especially to the older (unprotected) rhodos!

- o – o – o -
>More photos tomorrow!<
Then some other trees nearby:
(017 / 022)
1966 059 Quercus mongolica x robur in A9
cat says: seed brought from EWH
Beautiful tree. Gives acorns
Tell John to take old oakwood!

(025 / 036)
1993 103 Picea wilsonii
Tree is growing really well!
Tried a picture in backlight.

More mulching of Rhodos

again 15 wheelbarrows in het Azalea Area. One wheelbarrow for each rhodo.

mulching the azaleas

2 hrs of wheelbarrowing of chips into Azalea area. Did 15 wheelbarrowloads (<half of total lot).
did 1 wheelbarrow per rhodo in western corner. Definitely needs more! And repeat this each year?

First day with 75mm chipper

Picked the chipper up at Hire Pool (NZ$120 a day incl. gst) at 08:00am.
Started chipping 10:00am.
John and I did two hours at heap at the end of the lake in B4 upper right corner.
Important not to chip much >50mm! thicker wood only in pieces of max. half mtr. For this chipper it’s much better to use a limit of 50 mm. so 2 inch.
Diane popped in.
We brought some 4 or 5 trailer loads to (temporary) dump next of shearers quarters. [[ Look for a better dumping place in future! Dump like EWH?]].
After lunch we worked at heap with lots of willow-shoots in B8.
Works quite well! Jacky and 3 boys helped. Selection! Prepare heaps with sorted shoots!
Dumped chips near gate east of Azalea-track C9 upper left corner.
Next time: drop sorted wood near gate east!
This were 4 or 5 trailer loads as well.
Good quality. Apart from thin twigs that don’t get cut.