Flower Essence Spraying

After living in London for many years and working in the financial sector, Simone Dixon and Yvonne Jenkins bought five acres out the back of Mullumbimby in northern New South Wales, and have been growing orchids for six years. They worked for six months with the previous orchid grower to learn as much as they could from him, as well as reading and consulting with other growers. They knew they had to learn fast and hands-on experience was the best way to do that.

There are two and a half thousand orchids on the farm with four and a half shadehouses: one shadehouse for baby orchid plants and potting; another for intermediate plants, and the other two shadehouses for two and a half thousand cymbidiums. Although the farm specialists in cymbidiums they also keep some cattleyas , dendrobiums plus a few natives and exotics, but 80% of their products is cymbidiums Some of the shadehouses were already there and the girls have built two more to get to the profusion size that would interest a flower distributor. ''It's not a hard job, and we find it very enjoyable'' said Simone. ''One thing, though: it makes you very aware of the elements.You find yourself becoming very interested in weather patterns and using your water carefully. Water is like gold. During drought times like the present, you become expect at having to balance your water supply and the elements. We get water from the creek'' she added.

The Wilsons Creek catchment area is a perfect location for the orchid nursery however in times of drought, plants feel the stress. Nurseries feel the drought first because they are reliant on creeks and dams for their water supply Pest and disease 'When we originally took over the place, the previous farmer was into lots of spraying, but l'm not into that at all," said Simone, "I actually use homeopathics in the water sprinkler system, This is a highly unusual practice, but I find it boosts the plant's immune system, reduces bacteria and lessens plant stress. I have tested the practice with flower essences and noticed the difference, particularly in potted plants. Potted plants have limited environments, and extreme heat or wind stresses plants. "I find flower essences really help. Animals eat certain flowers when they're ill, some plants grow better near other particular plants, and so on. It's good to keep an open mind with these things'' she added.

Flower Essences

The Bach flower remedies are plant - and flower-based essences, each one specially devised to treat a different feeling. They help to manage the emotional demands of everyday life, the kind of feelings that affect everyday Iife. The flower essences work by stimulating the body's own capacity to heal itself by balancing negative feelings, helping you to take control, feel good about yourself and get more out of life. Of course, there will always be sceptics who are dismissing of natural and ancient remedies, but according to Simone, the results can be seen in the diversified biodynamic farming industry where the land is treated as a living organism. Ancient civilsations including that of the Australian Aborigine, were closer to nature and the elements than we are today For thousands of years they have used flowers to heal emotional imbalances and physical injuries, Flower essences were also used in Ancient Egypt, as well as Asia, Europe and South America. Now, these particular growers are using flower essences to maintain the good health and healing of plants.

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''Pests and bugs are our biggest problem, but this is a terrific location because we have cold nights, which are absolutely critical to orchid growing'' said Simone. ''The cold nights prevent bugs from thriving in winter and they don't become too big a problem. The worst pest is the mealy bug, which just loves orchid flowers she added. ''I kill them by hand. Luckily we've never had a plague of them. it's a daily checking routine looking for signs and tracking them down. What I've found with the flower essences that I use in the sprinklers, is that the plants are noticeably stronger to fight disease and bacteria. ''A lot of growers are dependent on chemical sprays for mites and diseases,'' she added, ''We prefer to work naturally and think it's the way to go. The only chemical we use here is the fertiliser Osmocote, but we are looking into new developments in that area, Meanwhile, we're excited with the results of homeopathic spraying to assist plants through this very stressful time".

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