Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Mar 13, 2010 12:50 pm I don't purport to be an expert on the subject, but we've just set up a steel cable framework so that we can train some citrus along brick walls and thought I'd share some info on how-to.
First you need a big wad of cash. Then head to your nearest hardware store and buy the following: 1. Some eyebolts - you want the Dynabolt kind if you're installing these into brick walls. If using timber posts or walls, ordinary old galvanised eyebolts will do. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i18/kerrynw/eyebolt_1_1.jpg We bought 8 for each of our projects (one each end of 4 parallel wires). You might want more or less, depending on pattern and size. 2. A turnbuckle for one end, so you can tension the wire as the plant grows and its weight increases. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i18/kerrynw/IMG_6159_8_1.jpg 3. A wire rope grip to secure the cable at each end. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i18/kerrynw/IMG_6152_2_1.jpg 4. A length of steel cable - we bought a 30m roll, since we plan to do one or two more.... http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i18/kerrynw/IMG_6160_9_1.jpg Make sure you have a masonry bit and a hammer drill too (cordless won't cut it). We installed an eybolt at each end of where we wanted the wires to run. We did four rows, spaced 400mm apart, although we started the first one a bit higher off the ground than 400mm - approximately where the first lateral shoot comes off the plant. Then we threaded the cable through the eybolts in one length.... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ ....leaving about 30-40cm at each end. Attach the turnbuckle to the bottom end.... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ And the rope grip to the top end.... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ ....and fasten, trimming the excess. Use the turnbuckle to tension the cable until it's juuuuuust right, and voila!! One Kaffir lime, ready to go: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The lemon is almost done too. Now I just have to prune, shape and tie the plants..... There's a thread on espalier, with some handy links all about how to shape your plants here: http://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=28545&hilit=espalier Re: Branching out into espalier 2Mar 13, 2010 1:58 pm Looking good kek If you want any pointers let me know and I can get Toparious to email you some fantastic info. He also has a handy project underway Re: Branching out into espalier 3Mar 13, 2010 3:40 pm Any pointers are most welcome, Fu.... I just attacked the Kaffir lime and tied it in a few places. One lateral is almost in the right place, but a bit too upright, so I've fashioned a weight from the leg of an old pair of pantyhose and some pebbles and tied that on. I'll see if I can persuade it to grow sideways so I can tie it to the cable. Otherwise, it's coming off. This project requires patience - something I don't have a lot of. I guess I'll have to learn. One thing I forgot to mention - with a lot of shapes, you'll need to attach separate wires for each "branch" on your framework. So each wire will need a turnbuckle and clamp, unlike ours, which only needed one of each, because it allowed us to thread a single length of wire through all the eyebolts. I chose that particular design partly because it minimised the amount of hardware required. Re: Branching out into espalier 4Mar 13, 2010 3:53 pm is there a limit on how many topics we can bookmark? Kek, I have a tonne of yours I think Thanks progress viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20401 sculptures viewtopic.php?f=36&t=26607 pole trouble viewtopic.php?f=3&t=25988 Re: Branching out into espalier 7Mar 13, 2010 6:06 pm Kek that's amazing! This would look great down a big blank brick wall, and so practical too. You're a such a clever cookie Re: Branching out into espalier 8Mar 13, 2010 7:28 pm What if you have a wall that's say 6 metres wide. Do you plant it with several plants or 1, then hope the branches grow that far? IN other words, how do you decide HOW MANY plants you need ? Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Branching out into espalier 9Mar 13, 2010 7:38 pm Thanks Kek that looks great!!! I like the idea of using the brick wall, very clever! Southies What if you have a wall that's say 6 metres wide. Do you plant it with several plants or 1, then hope the branches grow that far? IN other words, how do you decide HOW MANY plants you need ? I'd probably use at least 2, maybe 3 - I spose it comes down to how patient you at waiting for the tree to grow 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: Branching out into espalier 10Mar 13, 2010 8:06 pm Southies What if you have a wall that's say 6 metres wide. Do you plant it with several plants or 1, then hope the branches grow that far? IN other words, how do you decide HOW MANY plants you need ? I don't really know, but I'd be inclined to go by the standard width of the plant.... so if the plant you've chosen usually grows to about 1.5m wide, you'd need 4 plants to cover 6m of wall. Although, the branches usually aren't stretched out sideways in a tree or shrub that's just left to grow naturally, so perhaps 3 would do. Good thing I only wanted single plants. That's too much thinking for me. Re: Branching out into espalier 12Mar 14, 2010 8:30 am Guys, here at Homeone you have access to one of Australia's best topiary gurus. Toparious. PM him and he will be able to email you some amazing info. His knowledge on this subject is not found with many in Australia You should see his garden Re: Branching out into espalier 13Mar 14, 2010 8:48 am Sorry Southies.....told ya I was a novice. I'll have to take Fu's advice and elicit some expert help, but meanwhile I've made a start anyway. Here are some pics of my pruned and shaped trees. First the little lemon: This section of wall is between two windows at the back of the house, so it has a north-west aspect: http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i18/kerrynw/IMG_6161_1_1.jpg It's going to take a while to cover the wall. Close-up: http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i18/kerrynw/IMG_6162_2_1.jpg I'll need to prune the tip and train some laterals onto the next wire....I just need to read up on it before I take to it with a sharp implement, to make sure I don't muck it up. I added the bamboo cane between the wires because I was having trouble making the vertical section stay nice and straight. That seems to have done the job. The Kaffir lime is a bit bigger and I had to lop off some branches that weren't growing in the right place. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i18/kerrynw/IMG_6163_3_1.jpg The branch on the left was too upright and a bit too inflexible to bend down to the bottom wire, so I'm trying a technique to make it conform. I improvised a weight out of the leg of an old pair of pantyhose filled with a few pebbles, and tied it about halfway along the branch. The idea is to gradually add a bit more weight each week until the branch is sitting at the right level, then I can tie it down without fear of breaking it. http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i18/kerrynw/IMG_6164_4_1.jpg I was quite happy to prune the Kaffir lime - I stripped the leaves off the branches, washed them, dried them and froze them, and now we have a supply of leaves for our Thai curries that will last quite a while. Re: Branching out into espalier 14Mar 14, 2010 11:52 am Brilliant! You will keep us updated on the progress of these little fellas won't you? Re: Branching out into espalier 18Mar 14, 2010 10:27 pm Kek I've started doing some researching into espalier (you little inspirer you!) and I will definitely be trying this with guava trees. I can't wait to make a start on our garden now, I'd love to have one where EVERYTHING is edible or a herb Re: Branching out into espalier 19Mar 15, 2010 7:35 am lisanne I'd probably use at least 2, maybe 3 - I spose it comes down to how patient you at waiting for the tree to grow Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Branching out into espalier 20Mar 15, 2010 11:57 am If you want this project to come along at rates you have never ever seen before have a read of this from http://www.soilfoodweb.com.au/ (It relates to compost but summarises what your soil can do for you. Mulches are more than something to keep water in the soil. They will act not only as a horizontal compost but naturally create the nutrients you plants require for astonishing growth, strength and quality. Quote: Compost organisms perform a number of important processes during composting. But their relevance doesn’t stop there – those same organisms survive and live in soil, on leaf surfaces, and around roots, leaves, stems, blossoms, etc. They can create a protective layer on leaves, stems, blossoms, fruit and any above or below ground plant surface. Bacteria and fungi – retain nutrients in the compost, and ultimately, in your soil too. They can also perform the same function on your leaf surfaces, if you could somehow get compost to adhere to the leaves. That is possible if you turn the compost into compost tea – refer to our sections on compost tea to learn more as well as to gain insight into our services offerings in this area. Protozoa and nematodes – mineralise the retained nutrients held by the bacteria and fungi. In compost, these mineralised nutrients serve to help other organisms grow and utilize the carbon sources in the organic matter put into the compost pile. Bacteria and fungi build micro- and macro- masses in the compost as well while the protozoa and nematodes help build the larger pores in the compost. So within a week or so, if you have the right biology in the compost, air passageways and water infiltration hallways have been built by these organisms. Turning compost becomes less and less critical as the biology grows and forms structure for you. The dynamic living system in compost is very much influenced by the foods you choose to put into the compost pile, the biology of the organic matter going into your pile, and by the effects of rain, wind, heat, sunlight, and pollution that occurs while you are composting. There are numerous factors that have an effect on compost quality including the starting materials, moisture, aggregation, and temperature / turning. Additionally, different plants or crops may require a more fungal or bacterial dominated compost. It is imperative that the environmental conditions in compost are managed so that a high quality, pathogen-free compost is produced. Those who have seen gardens I create or my garden and the age of it will attest to this form of growing and caring for your landscape. Rely on some fertiliser to do it and expect far less amazing results coupled with increases in disease treatment and comparative slower growth What most term fast growth and what I term fast growth are two very different things kek, you could potentially set this up very very fast in deed. I use Tramex moisture meter and it will tell me instantly if the wall is cement sheet or plaster or masonite but most people dont have the equipment. 5 7085 the step up is 30mm and wanting it to be flat . how much does the concrete have to be lowered .we plan on removing bath and lenghten shower and adding seat. the old bath… 0 11832 8 6137 |