Trying to keep the bugs in check
I know I have created a tropical garden, but with the tropical garden comes things I dont want! Mosquitoes and bugs! Over the weekend I cut back a few branches from the tree that were touching the wooden fence. This meant that absolutely no light reached into the part of the garden where the cordelines and costus were. Also some heleconias and a torch ginger. I think that might be why I was not getting many flowers and a lot of the leaves were being totally eaten away by catterpillars and green grasshoppers. (Probably other things as well, but that is what I could see.) I hope this allows a bit of light in so that the sodden ground can dry out a bit between storms and the plants benefit from a bit more sunlight. There is a fine line between full shade and dappled light. The tree fern just loves this weather, as do the impatients. I have let it run a little wild. I have also thinned some plants out so there is more air circulation. Worked on the area to the right of...