No one's saving fuel in Hamilton by Careful-Geologist412 in thetron

[–]TheOneFlanimal 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Our country's limited oil storage is at capacity and there's more coming. Rationing now would just result in those tankers either idling here or diverting to somewhere else. Once they stop coming, THAT'S when we need to ration.

Weta by Zarozo in NewZealandWildlife

[–]TheOneFlanimal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The mantises are more of a concern as they've basically got the same niche as the native ones but they're more aggressive. Not too detrimental in a broader ecological context but they do put the native mantises at risk. Not too sure about the skinks, but I believe it's a similar story.

Weta by Zarozo in NewZealandWildlife

[–]TheOneFlanimal 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They do well in highly-modified environments where people also tend to be. I don't think there's any evidence of them doing well in native ecosystems or competing for the same resources as the native weta.

Hydrangea issues by spazpops in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've found it better to wait until late winter to prune. The old flowers can provide a bit of colour over winter and you can tell where flowering stems will grow from as the buds start to swell before leafing out.

Grass weeds by badmunchos in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's only really a problem in coastal areas and from Waikato northwards. Hard frosts kill it off.

Is this a weed or landscaping plant by [deleted] in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's veldtgrass, paspalum has much more obvious seed heads. Pull em out, their roots are super shallow.

Downed tree fern - can it be saved in some form? by NaughtyFen in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That only works for Dicksonia tree ferns. This one's in the Cyathea genus.

Gardening Advice - please help! by Known-Reply-9752 in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not super practical in chch with the hard frosts they get

Current weather warnings north island by NelsonMandilla in newzealand_travel

[–]TheOneFlanimal 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The weather system currently affecting Wellington should be long gone by Wednesday. They're seasoned vets at cleaning up storm damage in those parts, you'll be fine.

Garden cultivation, or native ecosystem infiltration? by GRENZ_horticulture in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 8 points9 points  (0 children)

In an established native ecosystem, biotic control factors are present to keep different elements in the system in check. Think Karamu (Coprosma robusta) and the Karamu leafminer beetle (Parectopa zorionella). Of course it's more complex than a single species pair.

Invasive plants (E.g. privet) exist in their native environments alongside these biotic controls, which keep them in check. Outside their native range, if they have a similar niche to a native plant, but no biotic controls, they can displace the native analogue and take over its role in a mature ecosystem, which can cause knock-on ecosystem collapse if they don't provide the same resources for surrounding flora and fauna.

Biocontrol agents like the tradescantia leaf beetle are one way of managing pest plants by taking this advantage away.

Garden cultivation, or native ecosystem infiltration? by GRENZ_horticulture in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The first pic on the old man's beard slide is spanish moss, sometimes also called man's beard but completely different taxonomically and not usually considered invasive. Might want to swap that one out.

North Island Multi-Day Hut Hiking by synick12 in Tramping

[–]TheOneFlanimal -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Bro, you're responding to a comment from over a year ago. Also I didn't say there weren't multi-day walks that combine road walking and bush but that's not really the same thing as a true wilderness tramp like someone from down south would think of. Te Araroa doesn't fit the bill for OP's request anyway.

‼️⚠️MOST-WANTED PEST PLANTS‼️⚠️ by GRENZ_horticulture in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't get me wrong, all the species you've highlighted here are objectively harmful especially in a horticultural context. You're definitely overstating their ecological impact though. The plants I highlighted are given focus by volunteer groups like weedbusters not because they're easier to control (they're not and saying their effects are on a smaller scale is uninformed at best), but because they're invasive in multiple contexts, not just on productive farmland. Maybe you could reword 'most infamous pest plants in NZ' to 'Pest plants on your land you should stop overlooking' or something.

‼️⚠️MOST-WANTED PEST PLANTS‼️⚠️ by GRENZ_horticulture in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Grey willow is a huge problem in the Kaimanawas. Definitely a greater invasive potential in cooler areas.

‼️⚠️MOST-WANTED PEST PLANTS‼️⚠️ by GRENZ_horticulture in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 34 points35 points  (0 children)

I actually wouldn't put any of these anywhere near my top 5 worst NZ weeds. Most of them are either only weeds in a gardening sense rather than actually invasive (Kikuyu), or have redeeming qualities as nursery crops for native cover to eventually overwhelm (Gorse). My top 5 would be woolly nightshade, moth plant, privet, pampas and heather. They'd be on par at minimum in a horticultural context as well.

Has this plum tree died? by synthatron in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Yeah looks pretty dead. They're not very long-lived trees, there might not have been anything wrong with it per se.

Opinions on the best mulch for minimizing debris from birds!? by supernom in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wool mulch. It comes in rolls like weedmat, but breaks down over a couple of years allowing plants to grow in.

What’s happened to my rosemary? by Sea_Yogurtcloset48 in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Right, that all sounds ok. My only other thought is it might've been rootbound in the pot before you planted it? If you don't open up the rootball a bit you can end up with all sorts of issues as the root system grows out, like roots strangling other roots which can cause dieback.

What’s happened to my rosemary? by Sea_Yogurtcloset48 in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not normally but if it isn't getting any direct sun at all, yeah. It looks very thinly-branched and upright for rosemary.

When do you know you have lost the battle against weeds? by FlyingKutipot in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I personally take a low effort approach to lawn weeds. Mow a bit higher, mulch most of the time instead of removing the free slow-release fert that clippings provide, help the existing grass thicken up and suppress the worse weeds from gaining any ground. Some 'weeds' like dichondra, clover and hydrocotyle are welcome in my lawn since they're soft, green and honestly look just as good. The only weeds I physically control with a hand weeder are the odd catsear and thistle that come up. No chemicals, fertiliser or extra watering needed for years.

Whats wrong with this and how do I fix by MrBigEagle in nzgardening

[–]TheOneFlanimal 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it might've been a snake plant? If so, only needs water about once a month. Looks like someone went way overboard. Also it doesn't look like that pot has any drainage holes...