Now it happened that in October the respite project saw the planting of five 25 foot high palm trees along the front and five 15 foot palm trees along the side of the house. Next door neighbour Trevor Beard watered these new implants as missionaries came and went and they were well and truly established when Ans and her family arrived the first week of May.
Well-Being Australia chairman Mark Tronson and his wife received emails during their stay, that Grant a landscaper had gone to a nursery and selected plants for front and back and then they sent photographs.
Delma Tronson the green thumb asked Grant and Suzanne for some advice on the maintenance and upkeep of these plants seeing that she and Mark are only very occasionally there with so many missionary visits.
This is their marvellous report:
We have arrived safely home and it is depressing to be back home. Thankyou so much for the blessing of being in the lovely home for the week, it was very relaxing and very homey. We fell in love with the area with being far away from any distractions but close enough to drive to some adventure when you were in need for some.
We thought to give you some lush plants around your home, and as they grow is will just enhance the area around it. My husband Grant at night killed some cane toads that came into the front and back yard so that they don't kill anymore of the native wildlife you have there.
He also enjoyed planting the plants and positioning them. We chose those particular plants because they are the best for the conditions and climate that you have there.
The plants in the front yard are one variegated agave, and two variegated Daniela's (native) both of which are drought tolerate and should survive on normal rainfall (added water in dry times always helps).
The Plants in the backyard the golden cane palm (a climbing palm) which grows to 3 to 4 metres and two Bougainvilleas (climbers) will scramble up the fence, can be tied to fence as it grows, cut back to the size you want to keep it at, watch for thorns when pruning.( wear gloves)
Bougainvilleas take dry conditions and golden cane palm is said to be able to handle some dry conditions also.
Plant Maintenance- anytime extra water can be added in dry conditions will help (by either you or visitors) also adding mulch around plants will keep moisture levels up (I put down newspaper and mulch on top) also adding a little of fertilizer (like dynamic lifter) will promote growth.
As the soil in the backyard is pretty bad, if you are planting something else dig a reasonable good hole and add some more organic matter (either in bag form or ute load from garden centre). you need to mix the good soil with the soil that is there, otherwise the plant wont be able to get used to the soil that is in the ground. I added a few bags to the ones I planted.
A suggestion if you want to plant a coconut palm, you can get one from under the coconut palms from midge point. Get one that has already spouted and has started to develop roots, dig a good hole, mix compost soil and sand and plant.
If you have any other questions just email us back."
Respite: missionaries and church personnel
Meanwhile since their visit, a pastor requesting rest and respite has visited from 9-20 May, followed by a Gospel Recordings mission couple from 21-28 May. In June a bible college family will be visiting.
Well-Being Ausralia invites missionaries and church personnel for respite and to contact Dr Mark Tronson timeout@bushorchestra.com or 0487 245 207
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html