Can you split kangaroo paws




















Kangaroo paw plants are relatively hardy and easy to care for. They can thrive when grown in the ground or in a container.

The dwarf varieties are especially ideal for containers. Either way, one of the keys to growing them is fast-draining soil. If you live in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11, you can plant kangaroo paw in your garden and expect it to come back year after year as a perennial.

These plants prefer to grow in full sun. At least six hours of direct sunlight on most days will enable kangaroo paw plants to produce the best growth and blooms. They can even tolerate intense light from hot afternoon sun. Insufficient light can cause tall plants to flop over and lessen bloom production.

These plants naturally grow in sandy soil with a slightly acidic soil pH. But they can tolerate a variety of soil types, as long as there is good drainage. For container plants, use an all-purpose potting mix amended with a few handfuls of sand. Kangaroo paw plants prefer a moderate amount of soil moisture, though they have some drought tolerance. Soggy soil can cause root rot and kill the plants.

So wait until the top couple inches of soil are dry to the touch before watering. However, in the spring and summer when most of the blooming occurs, kangaroo paw does appreciate some additional water. These plants thrive in the heat, and frost can be fatal to them. They like temperatures between roughly 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

And once the temperature falls below 50 degrees it's time to bring them inside. They also naturally thrive in dry conditions but can tolerate some humidity, too. Kangaroo paw plants aren't heavy feeders, so regular fertilizer isn't necessary. In the spring before the flower stalks appear, add a cup or two of compost to the soil to promote healthy growth. Angus has a garden where he trials tall varieties and very short ones. There are a great selection of Anigozanthos flavidus hybrids, which are all very tall, but very tough.

These are ideal for people who want a low maintenance kangaroo paw that performs year after year. Then there are smaller varieties, which are fantastic for pots or garden borders. They need a little bit more care and maintenance to get the best of out them.

To get the best out of your kangaroo paws grow them in full sun with good drainage. You can also add a small amount of organic matter to the soil to help improve growth.

They do have a slightly higher demand for water during early spring and summer, which helps maintain the longevity of the blooms. But outside that, they're quite drought tolerant. Pruning is the key to keeping kangaroo paws healthy and vigorous. You might be shocked at what Angus recommends. Angus likes to use the tractor, or even a lawnmower, to prune large areas of kangaroo paw. But for smaller areas there are more subtle methods.

Cutting them back hard is the main thing, right to ground level is best because all the growing points are underground. You could also use secateurs. Sometimes when they're in mid-flower, little buds emerge, so don't cut these back and you may get a second burst of flowering. Division is most often used with plants which form grass-like clumps.

Apart from the grasses themselves, these include Kangaroo Paws Anigozanthos, Macropidia and lilies eg. Patersonia, Orthrosanthus. Other candidates for division are plants that sucker, those which naturally layer ie.

Suckering plants include some species of Dampiera, Lechenaultia and Scaevola while those that self layer include species of Hibbertia, Viola and Isotoma. Nothing elaborate is required; secateurs a spade or shovel for the bigger clumps! This doesn't need to be a dedicated greenhouse, a position sheltered from wind and direct sun will do for many species.

Even better is a few pieces of wood nailed together to support a clear sheet of plastic It might not look professional but the plants won't mind!

The best known Australian plants in this group are the Kangaroo Paws. Less well known are Dianella and Stypandra , both with spikes of small blue flowers, and Lomandra. The technique involved in this group is quite simple. Once the clump is dug up or tipped out of its pot , it's divided into segments that comprise a piece of the rhizome, some leaf shoots and some roots. Dead leaves and dead roots should be removed.

If you just want a few plants for your own use, the best sized division comprises three or four leaf shoots with a good section of rhizome and healthy roots. With these, the humid environment of a greenhouse or similar shelter is probably not required, just a sheltered position and regular watering. If a humid greenhouse environment is available, the divisions can be quite small, comprising only one set of leaf shoots.

Once potted into individual small pots, these are kept in the greenhouse for a few weeks 4 to 6 weeks in the warm part of the year; longer at other times.

It may be beneficial to trim the leaves to reduce moisture loss through transpiration. Divisions of this size will also need to be "hardened" after the roots have developed. A simple method is to expose them to the open air during the night for a week or so, putting them back into the humid shelter during the day.

After this period they can be moved to an outdoor, sheltered position for at least another week before potting on.



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