Shamba Times - Kenya Horticultural Society

The
Shamba Times
Journal of The North Coast District, Kenya Horticultural Society
MARCH 2016
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1
The Chairman’s Notes - Extracts from the Chairman’s AGM address
I am glad to say it has been a very
active year with record attendances
at our various meetings and courses,
and other activities have been very
encouraging and therefore
seemingly popular.
Our major
setback during the year was the
failure of the Imperial Bank which,
in the company of many of our
members, we used as our bankers.
We narrowly missed reaching our
target of 300 members by recording
at year end 295 members as
compared to 288 members a year
ago. Our subscriptions for the
coming year remain the same as for
2015 - Single 1000/-, double 1300/, corporate 2000/- and gardeners
employed by member 500/-.
I fear that it is impossible to come
up with precise figures for our
financial position until we can be
more confident on the outcome of
our claim on Imperial Bank to
refund us the approximate total of
Ksh 456,361/-, made up of Ksh
155,389/- in our current account
and Ksh 300,972/- on deposit.
However what is clear is that, if the
Imperial Bank had not gone into
liquidation, our income from all
sources for the year would have
been Ksh 1,011,046/- and our
outgoings Ksh 870,703/-, leaving us
with a healthy balance for 2016.
As it is, by virtue of strong and
active promotion between the date
the Imperial Bank failed in October
2015 and the end of March 2016,
and without taking into account any
of our Imperial monies, we have in
our bank and other accounts as at
15th. March the following:
Standard Chartered Bank
9,590/M-shari (MPESA deposit)
115,226/Cash.
31,009/MPESA balance.
4,858/TOTAL.
160,683/Less one account payable to the
KHS Council net of Ksh 36,800/for calendars.
For us to have reached this position
so quickly, we must thank not only
our Hon. Treasurer but the many
members of the committee for their
hard work in raising money through
courses, a profitable Festival of
Flowers, garden item sales, and sub.
collections for 2016, so far
amounting to Ksh 74,562/- (our
target for 2916 for subs. is about
Ksh 200,000/-)
I am sorry that, at this stage, I
cannot be more precise on our
financial position other than to
confirm that, with care, whatever
the outcome is of our Imperial
claim, our financial position is
healthy.
Our meetings and events seem to
be becoming increasingly appealing
through finding some excellent
speakers and I must admit the
popularity of linking as many events
as possible to a rather more social
occasion.
Details of past events can be found
in our Shamba Times but I must
mention yet another successful
Festival of Flowers which was an
even greater success in 2015 and
attracted over 250 visitors. This
year we were again honoured by the
presence of Dr. Dino Martins who
spoke on the importance of Kenya
grasses, and attracted a total of 75
members to listen to his wise words.
This was an event which nearly
became a casualty of the Imperial
closure as I was uncertain if we
would not be wiser to cancel owing
to cost. In fact I was persuaded
otherwise and indeed this turned
out to be good advice as it was a
most profitable event at a time
when your District needed
additional finances. Thank you all
who participated and particularly
the Kilifi Committee members who
put so much effort into making it
not only a excellent gardening event
but also a social one and generated
an excellent positive cash flow.
The GEDI museum site booklet on
trees available at the GEDI
museum reception seems to be
working well. Sadly however our
plans, created jointly with the
Watamu Marine Turtle Trust, to set
up trial plots aimed at teaching and
encouraging vegetable and fruit
orientated culture at a few selected
local schools had to be postponed
for a year or two, partially as the
expected part funding from the
KHS Council was unexpectedly
rejected. It was felt that neither the
Turtle Trust nor ourselves could
take on such a commitment at this
time of uncertainty about the future
of our reserve funds endangered by
the Imperial Bank without some
form of KHS Council support. We
hope that in the coming year things
will alter for the better and this
excellent project will become
actuality in late 2016/2017.
Our Shamba Times continues to be
highly thought of, not only by our
own members but is beginning to
be more widely read throughout the
country. My most sincere thanks to
our most excellent and hard
working editorial team of Marion
Langham and Chris Betts whose
artistic and technical input makes it
so readable. Then there is our
Treasurer, Rupert Partridge, who
tackles so willingly its distribution
both by email and the post.
Sadly however, the majority of our
membership is still being too shy to
give the team the support I
requested last year by providing
material for this Newsletter. I again
urge every one of you to provide
something in 2016, whether it be an
odd fact, photo, or article that you
feel could interest our North Coast
gardeners. Only by this will we
keep it really local!
Finally I must record my most
sincere thanks to your most
excellent committee who do so
much of the work in running our
District. I am very grateful indeed
for all the help, support,
enthusiasm, and time they are
prepared to give to the KHS North
Coast District during the year thank you all so very much.
John Golds
THE SHAMBA TIMES
PAGE 2
Committee Tales—who they are, what they have done
THESE ARE SOME OF
THE PEOPLE WHO RUN
YOUR
DISTRICT FOR
YOU.
TELL THEM YOUR IDEAS
AND SUGGESTIONS FOR
IMPROVING THE
SOCIETY
This photograph of a
Committee Meeting in
progress at Elfried‘s house
was sent in from an iPad. Try
as we might, we were unable
to improve the resolution—
so we tweaked things the
other way and achieved rather
a pleasing painted effect.
From L to R: Gail Outram, Liz
Gregory, Holly Pritchett, Vanessa Aniers, Rupert Partridge, John Golds,, Elfried Hoogeweegen, Marilyn O’Keefe, Annie Norton-Griffiths
The Committee Members - Note:
Not featured are John Golds (Chairman) and Jonathan Baya,
both of whom appeared in an earlier edition and Mohamed Magic Abdullah, on leave of absence whilst abroad.
Marion Langham
Rupert Partridge
Vanessa Aniere
Marion Langham is an African, heart
and soul. Born in Dar and raised on
Kilimanjaro, she abandoned her
homeland to marry and live in
Northern Ireland. Fifty years later, she
returned to Kenya and set about
creating the verdant and colourful
garden she has today. She joined the
KHS and quickly became an energetic
and active member. She has been Vice
Chairman for the last five years.
Rupert was born in Nairobi and
brought up on a farm in Laikipia. On
leaving home, he trained at the
Dorchester and then spent many years
working in a variety of smart hotels in
Africa. On his return to Kilifi ten years
ago, Rupert was happily hi-jacked by
John Golds at a party, and persuaded to
be the Honorary Treasurer. Inspired
by a talk by Noel Hayes, he took up
bromeliads in a big way and has an
extremely fine and growing collection.
Vanessa has been associated with the
hotel industry for most of her life.
Grandmother built the Nyali Beach
Hotel, she and her husband built the
Kiwayu Safari Village at Lamu, and
followed that by building Che Shale,
the secluded beach resort which her
son now runs. Gardening used not to
be a big feature in her life but now she
is an active member of the KHS and
applies her considerable organisational
talent to the post of Honorary Secretary
PAGE 3
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1
Elfried Hoogeweegen
Gail Outram
Holly Pritchett
Over the past 36 years Elfried has lived
in many different countries. usually in
the tropics, and often in start-up
agricultural situations involving new
houses and new gardens. By trial and
error she learned about plants, bushes
and trees, and along the way got very
interested in gardening. After moving
to Kilifi from a tea estate in Sotik in
2009, she became an active member of
the KHS and was persuaded to take
charge of our shop
Gail's gardening interest stems from
her 30 years experience amongst the tea
gardens in the Nandi Hills. There just
about anything would grow and
flourish. Burundi was a bit different
and most of her efforts were designed
to attract the sunbirds. Moving to
Kilifi has been a frustrating experience.
Here the pleasure of sea and sand are
counterbalanced by poor soil and lack
of water. Like others at the coast, she
concentrates on pots and small spaces.
Holly came from California to Africa
1989. Alone and unknown all day, she
made friends with her garden. Next
challenge, a garden restaurant without a
garden; there it was more fun outside
planting than in the kitchen! She
created a lush space complete with
waterfall and blooming bromeliads
which was her pride and joy for 10
years. Then in 2011 off to Malindi with
a lorry of plants she couldn't leave
behind, - most still thankfully living.......
Annie Norton-Griffiths
Liz Gregory
Carissa Nightingale
Annie is a self-confessed bone meal
fanatic. Born and raised in the UK and
trained as a teacher, she worked in
Oxford and then Nairobi. After her
marriage, she lived in Oxford whilst
Mike worked on his doctoral thesis and
then spent five memorable years in the
Serengeti. They have been mostly in
Africa ever since. Moving to Watamu
in 2013, she was coerced by John
Golds into joining the Committee and
has been a keen member ever since.
Liz started gardening at an early age.
She made her first garden on the family
property at Ruiru at the age of eight.
Following her marriage, she moved to
Thika where she made a wonderful
garden - roses, herbaceous borders, and
a special collection of South African
aloes.
Moving to Malindi, she
specialised in palms and, as a result, was
asked to write the chapter about them
in the 1995 edition of Gardening in
East Africa.
Carissa was born into a garden
environment. Her mother was May
Buxton, an avid plant collector and selftaught botanist. Brought up in Limuru,
she married and lived for many years in
a flat in Hong Kong. Eventually she
and Peter returned to settle on the tract
of forest her parents had bought in
Kuruwitu.
There, thanks to the
enthusiasm of KHS, she is enjoying
formalising her childhood acquaintance
with plants.
THE SHAMBA TIMES
PAGE 4
Yamgambo
Katika jambo hili tunaufungua ukurasa
maalum kwa manufaa ya wale washirika
ambao lugha yao kwanza ni Kiswahili.
Kwa ukamilifu ina maanisha, kukua kwa
kundi la washirika wanabustani, kama
wengi wenu mlio hudhuria mara moja au
zaidi mafunzo ya Marion, nilifikiri
tungeanza na kuwakumbusha baadhi ya
mambo aliyofanya.
Kuwa mwana
bustani mzuri au tuseme mwana bustani
bora haya ni mambo muhimu
kukumbuka.
Tumia macho yako – hili lingeonekana
kuwa jambo la kipuzi kulinena ila ndilo
jambo muhimu zaidi angalau kukushauri
utembeapo kwenye bustani, nena kutoa
ndoo ya uchafu, itazame mimea
uitembeleapo. Je, kuna wadudu? Je,
mmea unaonekana mgonjwa? Kama
ndio, tazama vizuri labda ni kukavu au
kuna maji mengi.
Gundua tatizo,
ulitatue. Ukiona kumbi la palm au jani
lengine limekufa au uchafu basi iondolee
mbali nayo.
hutoweka ima imetumiwa na mmea au
kuoshwa na mvua.
Kwa upande
mwengine samadi humumunyika taratibu
na kuachia virutubishi na kuboresha
hadhi ya mchanga. Inafanya ardhi kuwa
rahisi kutumika na bora katika kuhifadhi
maji.
Hutu ni rafiki: lady bird beetle
ya kupulizia, hawa nao utawaua. Nyuki
wadudu wanaopeperuka hutengezea
maua mengi mbegu; lady bird, beetles
huwala aphids hivyo ni bora kupulizia
jioni kabisa wakati wadudu wazuri
wameenda kulala.
Compost bed mzuri sana. Latino blocks Hakodate mad
mrefu
Jifunze kuhusu mimea yako – ujue
inahitaji nini na ni nini haihitaji
Bougainvillea kwa mfano haitoi maua
vyema ikiwa kwenye kivuli vile vile,
crotons haileti rangi nzuri ya majani
ikikosa jua. Hivyo usipande mimea hii
kwenye kivuli. Mimea mingine haiwezi
jua kali (Cordyline terminalis) kwa hivyo
kama umepanda mmea ambao haufurahii
jua kali uondoe upeleke mahali bora.
Ujue mmea upi unahitaji maji mengi
mmea upi hauhitaji maji mengi (Coleus,
Desert Roses).
Ujue mmea upi
Samadi iliyotayar inaanza kutumila
Jifunze kuhusu wadudu – ujue walivyo
na vipi utawakabili.
Mmea mzuri unaharibika kwa kutotunzwa uyema
Tengeneza uitumie samadi (compost)
ijapo haitakutosha kamwe. Baada ya
miaka mitano ya mafunzo ya bustani,
bado wako wanabustani wanao choma
yale yangekuwa samadi nzuri. Samadi ni
‗nishati inayofanyika upya‘. Ulimwengu
mzima umetilia shaka uharibifu wa
nishati tunayoitumia leo na kila mmoja
hutazama kutumia kwa uhaba. Samadi
hurejesha kile ulichokitoa mchangani.
Kemikali ya kuitengeneza hufanya kazi
mahali ila kidogo tu kama kupata
kinywaji cha pombe keshoye ule uzuri
uliouhisi hunao tena. Hii ni sawa na
kemikali kwa haraka uzuri wa kemikali
Mealy bug ndiye mdudu mbaya zaidi
pwani, vijidudu vyote aina ya aphids
husababisha uharibifu mkubwa; vipimo
ni vigmu kupata na pia ni vigumu
kukabiliana nao. Jifunze kuwafahamu
viumbe hawa na utatue hilo tatizo
mapema ingawaje, ukumbuke kunao
wadudu wazuri pia – utumiapo kemikali
Crotons zina penda jua
unastahamili hewa ya chumvi
(Oleanders, Desert Roses Aster
Mangrove, Catharanthus periwinkle
Portulaca, Quisqualis) au maji ya chumvi
na inayohitaji ulinzi.
Huu ni ukurasa wako. Tunatumai kwa
umefurahia kuusoma basi tujulishe
mawazo yako kuuhusu na ushauri wako
kuuendeleza.
Wako mtafsiri Stephen Saro.
0736187917
Huyuniadwi - uharibifu unaosababi na mealy bug
PAGE 5
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1
The rain at the coast falls mainly in Shanzu
John Golds remarks that the total rainfall for the year 2015 is the highest since 2008 when it was 43.05" (1054.74mms). Whilst
quite nice to receive, it was something of an anti-climax after all the dire predictions about the consequences of the extreme El
Nino this year. The average rainfall per year for the past 25 years (1991 to 2015 inclusive) was 39.12" (955.97mms). The two
years with the highest rainfalls during this 25 year period were 1997 with a huge rainfall of 71.80" (1823.72mms) and 2006 with a
very nice figure of 59.05" (1499.87mms). The lowest rainfall year for this 25 year period was 2009 of 24.70" (627.38mms).
These figures just go to prove what we‘ve always said - Other people are stealing our rain!!
Death Valley ‘super bloom’ - Courtesy the Death Valley National Park Service
There are unusually dense displays of wildflowers in several areas of Death Valley National Park. Triggered by a series
of storms in October, the current flower display is the best the park has experienced in a decade. Death Valley is the
hottest place on Earth and the driest place in North America, averaging about two inches of rain per year.
These
extreme
conditions make it
difficult for most plants
to survive.
This autumn soaking was
followed by enough
winter rain to cause a
large-scale wildflower
bloom
exceeding
anything park staff have
seen since the 2005
Top: In Death Valley, pink Sand Verbena (Abronia villosa)
cover the ground under Desert Gold (Geraea canescens).
Photo: Alan Van Valkenburg
Bottom. Desert Five-Spot (Eremalche rotundifolia)
Photo: Dianne Milliard
Top: Fields of Desert Gold (Geraea canescens)
Photo Kurt Moses
Bottom: Golden Evening Primrose (Camissonia brevipes)
Photo Dianne Milliard
Park Ranger Alan Van
Valkenburg described the
bloom, "The hills and
alluvial fans, that
normally have just rocks
and
gravel,
are
transformed by huge
swaths of yellow, white,
pink, and purple. At first
glance you are blown
away by the sheer
numbers of flowers.
Then, on closer
inspection, the diversity
of species will draw you
in."
THE SHAMBA TIMES
PAGE 6
Vertical Farming comes of Age - by Belle Nanton
Five years ago, when David and I were
visiting an Agriculture Canada research
station in the town of Brooks in the
Prairie province of Alberta, we were
introduced to vertical farming. The
scientists had evolved some wonderful
stacked growers whereby folk could
grow basil indoors during the winter for
the Calgary restaurants.
Stacked trays of salad on a conveyor system
On a prior trip to RHS Chelsea, I had
met psychologists who had designed
similar stacked growing devices, on
trolleys, the idea being that these mobile
units could be used in offices, where folk
could grow their own herbs and
tomatoes and thus enhance office
camaraderie.
A garden and herb wall, Coastal Maine
Botanical Garden, Boothbay
A ‘pinkhouse’
Controlled lighting dispenses with sunlight
One of the most recent successes of this
type of farming has occurred in a Japan
devastated by the 2011 tidal wave, which,
according to Newsweek "wiped out most
of the farmland near Sendai, a coastal
area in the northern half of Honshu, the
largest island of Japan." Here, the
Japanese government jump-started a
vertical farm building boom in an effort
to replace the lost land with the result
that greehouses are now stacked high
into multistory skyscrapers where plants
grow, catching the sunlight.
The idea with vertical farming in all its
forms is that ultimately less land is
needed, so that former farmland can be
re-wilded. This happened on a Florida
farmer's land, whose strawberry fields
were destroyed in 1992 by Hurricane
Strawberries in San Diego
No bugs, no rot, large fruit - high cost
Andrew. Again, Newsweek cites this
farmer using his government grant to
build indoor space greenhouses that in
one acre grew what he had previously
needed 30 outdoor acres to produce.
The shape of the future?
Vincent Callebaut’s ‘stacked pebble
farmscraper’ for Shenzen
A verdant and fragrant herb wall
Fast forward to 2016 and the 'stacking'
of plants has taken off, according to a
Newsweek Last Word on How to feed
the world.
Evidence of this was
apparrent when we visited Faheem
Aloos's plot in Mtwapa where controlled
-environment farming is practiced.
A proposed development for Singapore - the next
generation of urban retirement housing.
Howecer, catching available sunlight is a
challenge, so now scientists are building
pinkhouses, using the blue and red light
spectrums of visible light best absorbed
by plants.
Herb and salad wall vertical garden
DIY system using local materials
E. F. Schumacher said it years ago.
Small is Beautiful, which seems to be the
new food-growing mantra of today.
PAGE 7
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1
Vertically challenged senior citizens
- Vanessa Aniere extols their virtues
The first time I set eyes on
one of these little garden
people was when I was
sixteen, on my first visit to
England. I was in a pocket
handkerchief sized garden and
this little fellow sat at the edge
of the pond in the corner. I
thought he was cute.
―Totally naff‖ said my mother
beside me. ―Thank God we
don‘t have them in Kenya
gardens as that would look
ridiculous and really scare the
staff.‖ I thought no more
about them, believing they
were suburban. Now, having
just built myself a fair sized
pond in my garden, I really,
really want one. I want to be
‗naff‘ and I gather Kitsch is
in, regardless of whether my
mother turns in her grave and
I scare the staff.
They are delightful and full of history.
Did you know that they are actually of
German and Czech extraction? In the
1700‘s the peasants placed statues on
their plots to work magic on their crops.
In Germany a gnome is called a
Heinzelmannchen and in Russia he has
the splendid name of a Domovoi
only had the best from
Heissner Gnomes in
Germany (est. 1872). These
are worth a fortune now and
must be kept hidden away
from garden thieves.
There are, of course,
Gnomes and Gnomes and
they come in all shapes and
sizes, but there are a few do‘s
and don‘ts.
Even the most diehard gnome owners think
plastic is a bit tacky. (I
however would accept one as
I know my neighbours would
understand.)

Make sure he blends
in to the plants and is
comfortable and don‘t worry
if you start talking to him (I
don‘t think there are any hers
yet) or give him a name - its
normal, despite what your
neighbours think!
Just don‘t
think he is alive or talk to him in
front of the staff!

Djedoeska. In Finish he is a Tontuu and
in Bulgarian a Djudje. I don‘t think
there is anything ‗knaff‘ about those
names.
In the 1890‘s it was considered good
luck to have a gnome in your garden.
The first recorded one in England was in
the estate of Sir Charles Isham, 10th
Baronet of Lamport, and one assumes he
I am looking forward to what his Swahili
name will be when he arrives..
Calendar entries that didn’t quite make it
Anonymous
Santie de Villiers
Sphagneticola trilobata_creeping ox eye
Santie de Villiers
THE SHAMBA TIMES
PAGE 8
Ask Maude
Q
I enclose two pictures of a Desert Rose I have grown from seed (sown nine months
ago) and the first picture is when it came into flower three days ago and the second
picture is of the same flower three days later. Both beautiful flower colours but I am
disappointed that the near black colour only lasted 24 hours and then turned to red.
Although a glorious colour not quite as impressive as the black? Why this change,?
My boss, John Golds does not know the answer?
Katana Baya.
A What an interesting question. There are of course quite a number of
flowers that change colour over time - Hibiscus of all sorts, YesterdayToday-and-Tomorrow, and Quiscualis to mention just three. I'm afraid I
don't have the answer though I did do quite a bit of research on the
Internet.
I discovered that flower colour is governed by three interacting groups
of pigments (carotenolds and two types of flavanoids - anthocyanins and
flavonols). By mixing and matching the three pigments in different
proportions, an endless variety of colours can be created, but the
dominance and effect of each group is influenced by outside factors such
as temperature, hours of daylight, and other similar variables. Thus a
change of variable can induce a change in the balance of the pigments
and thenc a colour change in the flower.
Before
Carotenoids ~ The Yellow, Orange, Red Spectrum. They are the
most stable of the flower and fruit pigments. They are enclosed in their
own little compartments, called "plastids," nestled inside the cytoplasm
of individual plant cells and they increase production in response to heat
and lots of sun. This is the progression that a tomato follows as it ripens,
gradually increasing production of carotenoids until it is fully ripe and
red. Once formed, the colour will stay for the life of the flower.
Anthocyanins
The Blue, Purple, Pink, Red, Black Spectrum
Anthocyanins are best known as the red pigment in Autumn leaves.
They are much less stable than carotenoids They are created in the
roots, dissolved in the water that makes up plant sap, and move all the
way up the plant to where the flowers develop. The least little change in
the environment or health of the plant affects the sap, which means it
also affects the anthocyanins. This is why blues and purples tend to be so
and after
changeable in hibiscus flowers. A single anthocyanin pigment can be
deep blue or deep red or anything in between, depending on many different variables - plant pH, heat, cold, food.
Flavonols ~ Pale Yellow, White Spectrum. Flavonols are in the flavanoid family with anthocyanins, and have all the same
characteristics of anthocyanins - they degrade in heat and lots of bright light, and they increase in a healthy plants and in cold
weather. But flavonols have their own distinctive pale yellow colour veering into white.
Where does this leave us with the Desert Rose? I don't know but I think
I'll put my money on the blue anthocyanin and temperature changes.
Q
Am slowly trawling through my photos from Burma and came across this one
which I took on purpose to ask you if you (or any other members) have any idea of
what it is ? (KHS Quizz time !) Mostly out there the vegetation and mauas were
much like in Kenya Coast area so this one surprised me. Have blown it up
tremendously to get an out of focus close up of part of the lovely bunch of flowers in
order to be able to show the yellow pistil.
Penny
A Many thanks for the email. This query was answered by Katana
Baya, the same man who grew the beautiful Desert Rose shewn above.
He confirms that your plant is a Mussaenda philippaca which grows along
the coast. He has seen very nice specimens growing at Jean Elm's
Garden in Mombasa and Marion Langham's garden in Kilifi.
Mussaenda philippaca
PAGE 9
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1
Books for you - by Belle Nanton
EAST AFRICAN PLANT
COLLECTORS
By Diana and Roger Polhill
Kew Publishing Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew
(2015)
The handsome Dendrosenecio
adnivalis (giant groundsel)
painted by Christabel King
from her 1987 expedition with
Guy Yeoman to Ruzenzori on
the cover – sets the tone for
this splendid 520-page A-Z of
East African plant collectors.
This is a book to be savored.
What struck me, as I enjoyed
these mini-biographies of collectors, was their range across the
ages. In 1781 Father Joao de Loureiro, Portuguese missionary,
scientist and naturalist is the earliest collector named yet, today,
we can still count on enthusiastic collectors. Two centuries later
we have Kennedy Wambua Matheka (b. 1981), an upcoming
Kenyan Botanist who is fascinated ―by the sound of Latin
names.‖
In the Rs, Ls and Ps, I went to our very own Ann Robertson
and to Quentin Luke ―the foremost field botanist in East
Africa‖, then to Anne Powys whose Suyian Trust is a treasure
trove of biodiversity. In the Ls, no fewer than eight Leakeys
are cited, all familiar names in a book which itemises collectors‘
precious legacies.
Early on in the As, I encountered enthusiast Ali Omari who
died of a stroke in 1964. Only a few days earlier he had been
told that Indigofera Omariana had been named after him. I was
relieved to learn he knew before he went.
HERE WE REVIEW TWO RECENT PUBLICATIONS
OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO KENYAN
HORTICULTURISTS
OUR FRIENDS THE
POLLINATORS.
A Handbook of Pollinator
Diversity and Conservation
in East Africa
By Dino Martins
Nature Kenya, the East
Africa Natural History
Society (2014)
Comprehensively compiled by
dudu fundi and frequent
Horticultural Society guest
speaker, Dino Martins, this
102-page book is a must for
every East African garden
enthusiast‘s library. It is
beautifully designed by Job
Ballard of Aksent Ltd. with
breath taking photos like the one on page 56 of a Hawkmoth
pollinating a papaya. My own personal favourite is on page 27,
showcasing a shining sunbird female on her nest, with pollen
coating her throat, ―indicating she has been visiting flowering
aloes.‖ With a feeling of joy, I learned something on every
visual page, underscoring again East Africa‘s precious
biodiversity. If one single publication can convince us all of the
crucial importance of pollinators, this is it.
Slugs, snails, mosquitoes (and cats) a problem?
Try coffee! .
First of all, nothing can beat the taste of
fresh coffee, and that smell of the first
morning coffee. What could be better?
And, after you've enjoyed your coffee,
you get a supply of coffee grounds that
can be used in the garden.
I've used coffee grounds in and around
bromeliads (mainly alcantsreas) for the
last few years to deter slugs and snails
from nibbling the leaves, and it also
wipes out mosquitoes when tipped into
the cups. Now I guess I've used it in
moderation.
I just .shake out the
container of spent coffee grounds over
and around the plants. It would be
interesting to see just how much could
be put into (and left in) the cups of
broms before they showed any damage.
My recommendation would be to use it
and then, say within the next 24 hours,
give the bromeliad a good flush out with
fresh water.
As well as bromeliads, palms and cycads
can be treated with coffee grounds. This
was discussed on the palm talk forum, so
I tried it on Dypsis and a few cycads that
were covered in scale. The coffee
grounds were mixed with a bucket of
water and just poured over the plant.
No more problems with scale!
And I've recently discovered another use
for them . About a month ago, I dug up
an area of garden in our patio, added
nice fresh garden mix and planted it out
with mini mondo grass. Well the local
cats just loved it, digging up my fresh
garden mix to use as their litter box and
leaving mini mondos scattered
everywhere. After replanting them many
times over, I thought about tipping
A tip from a well known kiwi grower/
hybridiser, Andrew Devonshire
Courtesy of the New Zealand Bromeliad Society
coffee grounds over the area and it
worked. I have not had a single cat visit
since. It would be interesting to see if
the coffee grounds thing also works for
dogs, which seem to love getting into the
smelly centre of some broms.
Aechmea macrchlamys by Rupert Partridge
THE SHAMBA TIMES
PAGE 10
Ingeborg and Orchids - Marion Langham reports
On a warm morning in February, some
55 KHS members and a few friends of
members gathered at Ingeborg Gonella's
house on Bofa Road, Kilifi to learn how
to grow orchids at the coast. With
phones switched off, we sat in silence
and listened carefully to all that she had
to tell us.
She started by explaining that the most
important thing about caring for orchids
is to study them – even when not in
flower, they can tell you a great deal.
Flowering does not necessarily mean the
plant is doing well - sometimes when it
comes into flower, it is a last ditch effort
to reproduce as the plant knows it is
dying.
come from a
medium altitude
(1000 to 1500
metres) and need
a big drop in night
temperature to
flower. Roses and
other plants also
need a drop in
night temperature
to
do
well.
However, of the
orchids that do
enjoy our coastal
life, the Vanda,
Dendrobium,
Phalaenopsis and
Look at the leaves. If they are a dark
green, the plant is not getting enough
light. The leaves of an orchid should be
a yellowy/green shade. On the other
hand, too much sun can burn the leaves.
Check the roots. Are they resting or is
there a green tip at the end showing that
the plant is in a growing mode. A plant
that in growing mode will need more
water than a plant that is resting.
Orange Vanda
some Cattleya are the genera to watch
out for.
Orchid root showing green growing tip
Water is not something that can be
applied as a set routine. It all depends
on where the plant is growing, how the
plant is doing, the time of the year etc.
As most of the orchids that are grown at
the coast are epiphytes, the roots are
exposed and dry off quickly, so they
need frequent watering, but must not be
allowed to sit with wet roots. When
watering, fertilizer can be added - a weak
solution weekly or very weak daily.
Ingeborg advised us not to waste our
money on special orchid fertilizer.
Of the many thousands of orchids that
grow worldwide, only a few can be
grown successfully at the coast.
Ingeborg explained that most orchids
All in all, it was an excellent talk
delivered by someone who really knew
her subject and how to get her message
across. We left full of inspiration and
determination to get our orchids to grow
as well as Ingeborg‘s.
Dendrobium
Phalaenopsis
Cattleya
PAGE 11
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1
The English Garden - Judy Mason’s hols
Last year I was lucky enough to join
some of my family who were on a riding
safari in Cappadocia, Turkey. I wasn't
riding! It was a strange landscape - white
compressed ash, and basically an arid
area but with lovely wild flowers in the
valleys in Spring.
rebuilt - even has under-floor heating!)
with wonderful mature trees in the
garden. The kitchen garden, which is my
brothers domain, was laid out from
scratch, and has profited hugely from the
cows that used to be kept in the barn.
Perthshire, our next stop had a family of
ducks on the front lawn - and higher up
on the moor was the most wonderful
hillside of yellow gorse .
Then on to my sister who lives in
Wenbury, near Plymouth - a tiny garden
but one she can control, and there are
some special plants, including one with
fleshy grey leaves that grew wild at
Menengai where we grew up. She can sit
in her conservatory and watch the
shipping go by
I flew on to England arriving about the
end of May and spent a wonderful six
weeks seeing family and friends - and
everywhere there were the most lovely
gardens. My daughter (Sal) and son-inlaw (Brian) bought a large cottage on the
edge of Hampshire about 18 years ago.
Arriving from the airport and turning up
the drive was remarkable having come
from a very dry Kilifi and Turkey - the
cow parsley was in full bloom, and there
was still blossom in the orchard. The
wisteria on the house was in full flower,
as was the May, and peonies were
starting; old fashioned roses along a
hedge -
Then on to Cumbria (fairly close to
Penrith) where I have a close friend who
used to live in Molo. She has built a
beautiful house in the walled garden of a
huge, ugly, old house and has created a
truly spectacular garden, which has to be
seen
to
be
believed
-
was a genuine haven with lavender and
cat mint and, again, roses.
One knows how much hard labour, and
love, goes into gardens, but they must be
one of the most rewarding things especially as the weather was last year and just such a treat to be able to enjoy.
On the steps that lead out of the drawing
room are our familiar little white daisies
which are so common in Kenya (except
maybe the coast?) and she found near
the Ngorongo crater!
Next stop was to my brother and sisterin-law who live near the little town of
Newport in Pembrokeshire; they
inherited the house (which they then
Then back to Crondall, where the roses
had taken over the walls and the beds of
peonies were at their best and the patio
Then we went up to friends who live in
West Lothian.
Humphrey has
landscaped the drive up to their house,
and the land adjoining a family house he has to admit he can't remember how
many ponds he has built, and everywhere
there are primulas and 'rhodies' and
streams and water - just so effective.
THE SHAMBA TIMES
PAGE 12
Bits and Bobs
News from British Columbia
RUPERT PARTRIDGE BUILT A
NEW SHADE HOUSE FOR HIS
BROMS.
THEY SEEM TO LIKE IT
Our Canadian member, Belle Nanton, copied me the minutes of a meeting of
her local horticultural society, the FOG (Friends of the Garden, University of
British Columbia). It is quite interesting to see how other groups function and
the activities they organise.. I rather liked reading about their progression from
their slightly shaky formation in 1969 to their present very active state. Follow
the link
http://yellowgardening.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/FOG-minutes.pdf
Human Pee
Are you a Net Surfer? Everyone knows National Geographic Magazine but
how many of you read the National Geographic News on the net. It‘s well
worth it. Just visit http://news.nationalgeographic.com/ to discover a treasure
trove of fascinating articles. The reason I write this is that I was sent a ‗cutting‘
from an article run in 2010, extolling the virtues of making use of human pee
mixed with ash as a fertiliser. Apparently, one person can deliver enough urine
to fertilise over 6000 tomato plants a year. Collect the urine; apply diluted with
water (20:1), apply wood ash three days later.
Aechmea chantinii
Aloe vera
I was sent another cutting; this time from the New Scientist. Most people have
heard of the healing properties of Aloe vera but it was a surprise to me to learn
that Aloe vera is no more special than many of the other gel producing aloes
around. About 25% of aloe species have some medicinal use, primarily
cosmetic, but Aloe vera is the only one in serious commercial production. It
seems that the reason for this is purely pragmatic - it is no better than other
species but is easier to grow and harvest.. I‘m afraid to read a full story on this
matter you will need to subscribe to the New Scientist.
Aechmea macrchlamys
Mombasa Flower Show
O
n Saturday 12th March a group of us braved the potholes and made the
journey into Mombasa, Nyali, to visit the Mombasa District Flower
Show. After a leisurely and filling lunch at La Veranda, we went next door to
where the show had been laid out. As Jean Elms pointed out, it was a
difficult time of year to hold the show and many of the cut items were
suffering from heat exhaustion by the time we got there. None the less, the
hall was well laid out and there were some impressive items on show. Of
particular note was a huge Birds Nest fern and a very delicate pink tinged
double desert rose. It was good to meet with our neighbours and see how
they do things.
An arrangement of heliconia
Desert Rose - Adenium obesium
Birds Nest Fern - Asplenium nidus
PAGE 13
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4
Editorial
For your Diary
APRIL
THURSDAY, 14TH AT 10.00 FOR 10.30 AM.
CYCAD PROPAGATION WITH PAULINE BALLETTO..
DESERT ROSE GRAFTING WITH PRACHI SHAH
At John Gold’s House, Watamu. Those interested
should bring their own plants to practice on Other
materials will be provided.
Bring your own picnic to enjoy at one of John’s
many secluded seating areas, after the talks.
MAY
THURSDAY 26TH AT 10.00 FOR 10.30 AM.
CECIL THE LION – A CONTROVERSIAL TALK BY DR. M.
NORTON GRIFFITHS.
At Annie Norton-Griffiths house in Watamu. After
the talk, members are invited to stay on for lunch
and a chat at a cost of 500/= per head. A cash bar
will also be available.
JUNE
WEDNESDAY 8TH AT 10.00 FOR 10.30AM
DEE ROBERTS ON SUCCULENTS
At the Grumble's garden in Malindi. Full details to
be circulated later.
IN THE POT
JULY: THURSDAY 28TH . PROVISIONAL
THREE/FOUR GARDEN VISIT IN KILIFI
AUGUST. PROVISIONAL
UP COUNTRY KENYA VISIT
A Nairobi visit to a few gardens in the Muthaiga
area, then on to Nanyuki with a possible stay at the
Nanyuki Sports Club.
By the time you read this the AGM will be over and we will be
embarking on a further year of events and projects organised by
your Committee, and it occurred to me that you should be told
a little more about the people who try so hard to make The
North Coast District such an active and interesting branch of
The Kenya Horticultural Society. Accordingly we have featured
a few potted histories of some of the individuals working on
your behalf. They are however a self effacing lot and so even
getting this far has been quite an achievement. None the less,
whether they are featured or not, they all deserve your
approbation.
One of the really nice things about our district is that many of
our events are designed to be social in addition to being
informative. We try to arrange for the opportunity for
members to get to know one another on a wider footing than
the purely horticultural. Do please take advantage of the
picnics, lunches, and dinners associated with many of our
events.
Then there is our close relationship with our neighbours in
Mombasa. We were delighted to go to their Flower Show on
12th March and hope to see some of their members gardens at
some time in the future. For more news about Mombasa
District, follow http://tinyletter.com/MombasaHorti
Another of the strengths of our district is the number of
gardener members on our books. This is a trend to be
encouraged and, whilst sometimes language is a barrier, we hope
you will encourage and assist your gardener to attend any event
that will be of benefit or interest to him. For our part, we are
running in this issue our first page written in Swahili.
Dependant a bit on how well it is received, we would like to
make this a regular feature..
cb
Kenya Horticultural Society
Find us on the Web
www.kenyahs.com
The Shamba Times is published quarterly for the benefit of it’s
Members by the North Coast District of The Kenya
Horticultural Society. Articles for publication are welcome and
should be addressed to the Editorial Office, as should any
comments, suggestions, or corrections.
Officers of The North Coast District
The Kenya Horticultural Society was established in 1923 for the
purpose of stimulating and increasing interest and knowledge of
gardens and plants in Kenya. The North Coast District extends
from Vipingo in the South to Malindi in the North. Annual
membership is Ksh 1000 per person (Ksh 1300 per couple).
Corporate Membership is offered at Ksh 2000. Members
gardeners are accepted for limited membership at a fee of Ksh 500
per annum.
M-Pesa payments can be made on 0702 767177
Chairman
Mr John Golds
jmgolds@me.com
Vice Chairman
Marion Lady Langham
marionlangham@googlemail.com
Hon Sec
Mrs Vanessa Aniere
anierevanessa@yahoo.co.uk
Hon Treasurer
Mr Rupert Partridge
rdbpartridge@gmail.com
Editorial
The Shamba Times
PO Box 143 - 80108
Kilifi
Kenya
Contact
Mob:- +254 (0)732 610047
marionlangham@googlemail.com
© Shamba Times 2016