Cap
Capers are heat-loving shrubs that thrive in stone
walls and gravelly beds that have perfect drainage. If
you’re lucky, seedlings will emerge around established
bushes – transplant them while small as they dislike
root disturbance.
Collect berries when they start to split. Scrape out
the numerous small seeds, wash well and, if possible, sow
immediately into a free-draining succulent potting mix –
they germinate most reliably when fresh.
If storing, wash the seeds in tap water and spread out
evenly on baking paper to dry at room temperature. When
seeds are completely dry, store in a sealed glass jar in a
cool dark place.
Eight weeks before sowing, soak seed for one day,
then refrigerate in damp paper towel in a plastic bag.
Soak seeds again in hot water for one day; some people
recommend rubbing seeds lightly on an emery board to
help break the hard coat. Sow seed and be patient as
germination can take several months. Helen McKerralAid/s mi-aid
Plant now: Quick-to-harvest mini vegies, such as button
squash, bush cucumbers and cherry tomatoes, all thrive in
heat and crop before their larger cousins; plant them early
topickbeforethedriesttimeinlatesummer.Top tip: In late spring, taper watering in native gardens.
Many species like Solanum and Tetratheca will aestivate, or
rest, if they’re not forced to add new growth that is prone to
wilting and scorching. Counterintuitively, taper watering to
reach the lowest rate at the hottest time of year, applying
justenoughtokeepplantstickingover.Pest alert: Passion vine hopper is a native insect pest of
both fruiting and ornamentalplants.
Both adults and nymphsare
sapsuckers, and the female
damages stems when laying
eggs. Spray nymphs
with certifi ed organic
pyrethrum while they’re
still small in the early
evening when they are
less active, and less
likely to hop away.
Helen McKerralAbove: Tetratheca benefits from
tapering water in late spring.
Right: Passion vine hopper adult.60