January in your Sub-Tropical garden

Fertilise your Camellias, Azaleas and Rhododendrons now to encourage bud development for flowers next spring. Phostrogen Acid Plant Food is perfect for this, not only providing fertilisers to encourage effective growth and flowering, but also chelate of iron to overcome the yellowing of leaves, common in soils that are a little too alkaline.

Check that your garden is covered with adequate mulch. During the hottest days the wind will dry not only your plants but also the soil surface. A mulch layer helps to maintain water in the soil. This is most important where you want maximum flowering from your seedlings. Debco Soil Conditioner will help reduce water loss in this critical area.

Cuttings taken at this time will root quite easily. Geraniums are so simple to grow you can simply put pieces in any potting mix and keep them well watered for good success. Azaleas, Camellias and Daphne will benefit from your use of a hormone rooting powder. Dip short cuttings in the powder before planting them in Debco Propagation Mix. Keep them moist.

Leafy vegetables are heavy feeders. Regular fertilising is important if you want to get the best results and this can be achieved by using Phostrogen Plant Food as a foliar fertiliser at double strength. Apply the fertiliser either early in the morning or at the end of the day.