Another event special….
Weslor Flowers Plant Nursery (Stand C42) is offering a special bonus at the Ipswich Plant Expo.
Spend over $30 and receive 1 x 3 inch plant for free (value normally $10).
WOW.. this is just the tip of the iceberg for people attending the event on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th March.
The Ipswich Plant Expo is pleased to secure the following speakers for the event on 9-10th March 2013.
These well known garden personalities span print media, radio, television and online. We have collated most of the best known horticulturists to provide informative and relevant gardening advice and practical tips to ensure you create a successful garden in South East Queensland, focusing on the what works well in the local subtropical climate.
2013 guest speakers are:
Great news everyone!
Guest speakers for 2013 confirmed are Paul Plant, Brian Sams, Clare Levander, Arno King and Claire Bickle.
The dates are set for 9-10th March 2013 and with two full days planned, there is much to look forward to. In addition to guest speakers above, we are looking at introducing a second Back to Basics series of talks for all the beginners and kids who want to start but need a little help. We will be there to give you give you all some great skills!
Event Key Features
Keep this date open in your diary as it will be the best event in Queensland for gardeners in the first six months of 2013.
Summary of Event 2012
Congratulations to all exhibitors for putting on a good subtropical garden expo, over 2000 people attended. There was a great range of plants and related products.
Special thanks is extended to Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale for officially opening and launching the event. He also announced that the local council will support it in 2013. Good news everyone, it will be a two day event next year.
Thank you to sponsors Ipswich City Council and Searles, and to event supportors The Gift Tree, subTropical Gardening and River 94.9FM.
Additionally, we wish to thank our guest speakers Colin Campbell, Paul Plant, Claire Bickle, Noel Burdette and Arno King… and the efferescent MC for the day, Marcia Byriel.
If you went to the event and have some suggestions for the 2013 event, please send us an email to info@ plantexpo.com.au (remove spaces).
Event is almost here and people are working out how to get to the event.
CAR
From Brisbane: head west along Ipswich Road and follow signs to Ipswich City. The event will be on the left side of the road immediately after the Bundamba Primary State School. Enter carpark via TL Cooney Avenue, Bundamba.
From North Brisbane or Sunshine Coast: head to the event via the Centenary Highway then follow instructions above. Alternatively, go via the Gateway Toll Road which links onto the Logan Motorway and flows towards Ipswich. As for the Moggill Ferry, avoid it as it is expected to be not in operation on Saturday 3rd March. Colleges Crossing is expected to be closed. Note: Mt Crosby Weir is open for private vehicles only.
From Gold Coast: head up the Pacific Highway, take the Logan Motorway and follow signs to Ipswich (as above).
From Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba or Roma: drive along Warrego Highway and follow signs into Ipswich. Then drive along Brisbane Road towards Bundamba. The event will on the right side of the road.
From Sydney or other regions: it is suggested you fly into Brisbane then drive out 
TRAIN
Bundamba Train Station is approximately 10-15 minute walk to the event. When you get off the train, walk up Mining Street, turn right along Brisbane Road. Cross the road at the Primary School then walk (direction right) up to the Ipswich Turf Club (Racecourse). Entry to event is off TL Cooney Ave.
For details regarding train time tables, please refer to www.translink.com.au
EVENT
UBD reference: 214 F15
South East Queensland is generally described as a subtropical climate. Summers are humid with rainfall, winters cool and dry. There is not much of a spring or autumn resulting in the natural flora and garden plants best showing off their inate beauty during late summer for the tropical plants, and in September-October for a short spring bloom.
The Ipswich Plant Expo celebrates the subtropical climate for Queensland… covering the regions of Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Gold Coast and north to Gympie. Districts such as the Northern Rivers of New South Wales and down to Sydney are also embraced for this garden fair.
Subtropical and tropical plants, as well as warm temperate plants (sometimes marginal in the average subtropical garden) are all present at this event.
The secret to a successful garden and landscape us to choose plants suited to your ckimate
Valentine’s Day is coming up… and what better way to celebrate this day than with a luscious passionfruit!
Passionfruit is a short lived climbing plant with lush green leaves, stunning intricate scented flowers and delicous fruit. Life of a plant is only a few years – if it is still bearing after 5 years you are lucky as most plants only tend to last around 3 years.
If your plant is producing a lot of foliage and growth, it is likely you are applying too much fertiliser.
If the plant is producing shrunken fruit that are withered or wrinkly, the typical causes are nurtient deficiencies, stung fruit by pests (such as fruit spotting bugs and fruit fly) or poor pollination.
If fruit fall off before getting to a reasonable size, typically this is the result of poor pollination (why are there no bees!) and lack of micronutrients in the soil.
Overall these plants tend to be easy to grow in warm climates but should be treated as a short-lived plant. If your plant is 5 years or older and does not crop well, pull it out and buy a fresh one. If it is 3 years of age, keep it for another year.
Even if you do not like the fruit, the passion it can inspire with its delightful scent is sufficient reward to grow this vine.
Are you after rare and unusual plants?
The Ipswich Plant Expo is here to help gardeners source and collect those hard-to-find plants, and many of those old fashioned plants that no-one seems to grow anymore.
For the landscape designer, find out what all the fuss is about and why gardeners are passionate about plants. These specimens may be just the thing to give your next landscape installation that wow factor. Inspirational landscape plants will be there from aloes, bamboos, and so much more.
When looking to buy plants at this Expo, look for labels that tell you what the plant is. It should have a botanical name, and of course the common name. The plant should look healthy and free from any pests and diseases. We ask all exhibitors at this event to check their stock for quality!
Ask the sellers for tips on how to grow the plants you want to buy. Take the time to decide – take too long and someone else may buy it from under you!
If in doubt with any purchase, take a sit and listen to one of the seminars. Once you know that you definitely want to buy, head back to the exhibitor and buy the plant. With luck it will still be there.
Of course with all similar events, some of the best plants are sold early. Come early to avoid missing the best specimens.
And to help those plants grow, look for exhibitors that sell potting media, pots, fertilisers, organic pest control products and other related items.
We hope you enjoy your time at the 2012 Ipswich Plant Expo and if you did not find the plants you were after, tell us so we can source them for next year.
2012 sees plant collectors arrive from across the state heading to the Ipswich Plant Expo. With a focus on South East Queensland residents, this event features all the plants and related products suitable for tropical, subtropical and warm climates.
Queensland subtropical gardeners will enjoy this Expo which will highlight the best and diverse range of plants that can be grown in this district, from tropical heliconias to warm temperate herbaceous perennials. The best of exotic and native plants will be on show and for sale.
This event is run by a successful event coordinator who is working with horticultural people to create a refreshing event for gardeners. It features some of the most respected Queensland horticulturists and celebrity garden presenters from television, radio, print and web.
Date: Saturday 3rd March
Location:
Ipswich Turf Club, 219 Brisbane Road, Bundamba QLD 4304
(enter via LT Cooney Avenue); 35 minutes drive west from Brisbane CBD.
UBD: 214 F14
EVENT OPENING TIMES
Saturday – 3rd March 2012 – 8:00am – 3:00pm
Gate Entry Price: $5.00 per adult
Free parking