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On 4th October 2009 the West Moreton Branch of the Queensland Hibiscus Society held their Annual Pruning Day.
This year, mien hosts were Lee and Leon Benson of Regency Downs who welcomed fourteen members (plus one honorary member in the shape of Carole & Ron White’s little dog named Bentley) and three visitors to their lovely gardens and home. Despite the all consuming drought, their gardens are holding up well, no doubt with a lot of diligence and loving care by Lee and Leon. Leon was bemoaning the state of his lawn in the courtyard; it was a case of “You should have seen it last week, it was lush and green!” Sorry we missed it Leon, but we can imagine how good it would have looked.
Fortified with the West Moreton Ladies’ customary, famous morning tea, our Pruner Extraordinaire i.e. Brian Baills led us towards the Benson’s unsuspecting hibiscus and commenced the annual decapitation. It must be said at this time that everyone kept a careful count of Brian’s fingers, keeping in mind the near disaster of two years ago at Dot and Trevor Christenson’s.
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Being a
fairly new garden, many of the Hibiscuses were still
quite small, which gave Brian the opportunity to show us
that even the little ones enjoy a trim which will
encourage growth and good shape. In stark contrast to
last year’s Pruning Day at the Roden’s where there were
many old and well established plants. Several members
had the opportunity, under Brian’s instruction,
to try pruning; a good hands
on lesson. Brian never tired of answering our questions
or entering into discussions of why, how and when – for
which we are all most grateful. We are also grateful to
be able to pick some of the cuttings to attempt striking
or grafting when we returned home.
A lone flower left to wilt on the
ground after Brian and his secateurs had passed through. |
| The pruning session was followed by Lunch, a
delicious sausage sizzle and salads where, yet again,
the West Moreton ladies showed their talents with the
salads and Leon showed his talent on the BBQ. Time
certainly slips by quickly when friends get together to
share their common interest, providing great fellowship
and a sharing of knowledge along with the opportunity to
learn more about our chosen interest.
Was it a Cyclone, was it a locust plague,
no it was Brian and his secateurs. |
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Brian Baills in charge of the
meeting.
After lunch, a very short October meeting was held
to formally appoint Ron White as our new Treasurer and
to confirm our choice of venue for out Christmas party.
Then, after the meeting, it was off to the grafting
department where Brian gave us some very helpful
advice and encouragement to try it ourselves.
Several members took a turn on Brian’s amazing
Grafting Device and enjoyed success with their
attempts, so much so that many went home with the
confidence to try it for themselves.
Learning the pros and cons of pruning, discussing
the care of our hibiscus and later, sitting in the
shade of the trees, watching Brian grafting,
admiring Lee and Leon’s pretty chickens, making
friends with the happy little puppy next door, all
made for a most enjoyable day and we thank Lee and
Leon for their hospitality.
The new Treasurer Ron White, our
hostess Lee Benson in the centre and Carole White our
Secretary. |
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