Other good news

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The other good news from Kristina's flying visit to Australia was the condition of an ornamental grape vine that we transplanted from the old part of the house around to the western side of the new extension.

We are hoping its size would give us a 'running start' on covering an area 3.6 metres wide and 22 metres long.  Because it's the western side - we need the shelter it will provide from the summer afternoon sun.  There is a fantastic pergola structure - but waiting for an ornamental grape vine.

We had a large old one on the other side of the house.  But getting it out meant that the usual transplant rule - keep as much on top as you keep below - could not be met.  In fact we cut the top back to only two 'branches' - but each was about 4 metres long.  What they had in the way of roots once we got it out was only two stubs less than 400 mm long and another one slightly longer.

Here it is in its new position.

I have to say I hoped, rather than expected, it would survive.

Well look at what had happened only 4 weeks later.

It's definitely a sign of survival at least.  Kristina fed it well with seaweed fertiliser - and we will make sure it continues to get plenty of water.

Hopefully, within a year or two, it will look like it has been there a hundred years - and provide the necessary shade in summer - and lack of shade in winter - to make the passive solar aspect of the house work well.
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