The Cape Horticultural Society encourages experienced and amateur gardeners to meet like-minded people who want to share knowledge, and to promote biodiversity, where plants flourish and the balance of nature exists.
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What’s new in March?

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Pick of the Month

Paphiopedilum dianthum: species of orchid which grows in nature in China and SE Vietnam; dappled light in cool to warm conditions; produces on average 3 or 4 flowers per spike during February to March in the southern hemisphere; this specimen is grown under a glass fibre roof and this is the first time flowering since its acquisition in Sept 2014.

CHS Chatter

A DEVASTATING THREAT TO CAPE TOWN'S TREES

Our September 2018 issue made mention of this new beetle. The following is a notice put out by the City of Cape Town –

a reminder of what to look out for:

“HAVE YOU SEEN SHOT-HOLE BORERS OR FUSARIUM DIEBACK?

  1. Invasive Beetle Arrives – Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer (PSHB)

          PSHB is a tiny invasive black beetle from Asia that has recently arrived in South Africa. It is smaller than a sesame seed (2mm).

  1. Beetles invade trees

          The PSHB beetle makes tunnels, or galleries, in the trunks and branches of host trees and lay their eggs inside.

  1. Fungus Sets ln...

          Fusarium Dieback: The female beetles carry a fungus (Fusarium euwallaceae) from tree to tree that grows in their tunnels. Adult beetles and their larvae depend on the fungus for food.

To read on, join the Society for the full monthly newsletter.

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Plants in Season

Pop back next month to see what members have been growing in their suburban gardens.

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