Removing the extensive mass of Singapore
Daisy from a 50 metre section of Bakers Creek was a mission in itself (over a 2
year period), but trying to establish replacement vegetation is becoming
another mission.
Planting 80 Lomandra plants (in two lots six months apart) and
getting them through the first twelve months has been and still is challenging.
There are the seasonal variations of weather from flooding to this long dry hot
period of October/November.
Another problem that needed to be addressed was overcoming
the habits of the resident male ‘scratching’ Brush Turkey. Fluctuating weather
conditions are expected but a special guard had to be made and staked flat
around each plant to guarantee it wouldn’t be dug out by the turkey, who
regularly works a large mound close by.
But the most recent event has been most
annoying. Three local boys decided to spend one Sunday afternoon fishing in the
creek and because there was a ‘bank’ to actually fish from (the area of land that
I was trying to rehabilitate), that is where they chose. I went and spoke with
them about avoiding the plants and about not leaving any rubbish behind, but unfortunately
neither of these requests was met. But overall minimal long term damage has been
caused by this isolated incident.
Now waiting for a really good soaking rain
event, the 40 most recent Lomandra plants (and also 20 Vetiva Grass plants on
trial) seem to be hanging in quite well.
Daryl Barnes.
22/11/2014.
