In the previous post, I discussed the clearing and cleaning of the concrete wall. Those tasks will prepare it for the concrete resurfacing and painting.
Finish the Concrete Surface
If there are noticeable irregularities with the concrete wall's surface then they need to be filled up or patched. These could be large holes, dents, cracks, holes, gouges and the like.
Many small holes on the concrete wall are left behind by large nails and other fastening hardware. You can easily seal these holes with a sealant. Masonry cracks can be sealed in a similar fashion with procedures here.
How to Restore and Protect a Concrete Wall - 2
The previous post of this series discussed the need to restore and protect an old concrete wall and the possible steps to take to address that need.
Clear the Wall of Obstruction
In order for you to quickly do the job of restoring and protecting the concrete wall, you need to clear it from debris and other obstructions. Obstructions may include your plants and other garden structures. Having plants at the wall or vines growing on a trellis mounted to the wall may pose some challenges.
Plants growing on garden pots or trays near the wall need to be relocated.
Clear the Wall of Obstruction
In order for you to quickly do the job of restoring and protecting the concrete wall, you need to clear it from debris and other obstructions. Obstructions may include your plants and other garden structures. Having plants at the wall or vines growing on a trellis mounted to the wall may pose some challenges.
Plants growing on garden pots or trays near the wall need to be relocated.
How to Restore and Protect a Concrete Wall
"No matter how pretty and plentiful your flowering plants are, if set against an ugly backdrop, the overall picture just doesn't look good."
For quite some time, that's the thought I had at the back of my mind while staring at our garden wall. This old concrete wall was made from concrete hollow blocks. The only recent work on it by the concrete contractors of our house was the concrete jointing.
I was hesitant in giving the old concrete wall any kind of surface finishing because of the hassle involved. After all, I already have a few vines growing quite happily on the wire trellis I attached to the concrete wall. Also, the concrete wall isn't load bearing so there aren't any concrete foundation repair worries for now.
Here's a view of the concrete wall from above, looking down.
For quite some time, that's the thought I had at the back of my mind while staring at our garden wall. This old concrete wall was made from concrete hollow blocks. The only recent work on it by the concrete contractors of our house was the concrete jointing.
I was hesitant in giving the old concrete wall any kind of surface finishing because of the hassle involved. After all, I already have a few vines growing quite happily on the wire trellis I attached to the concrete wall. Also, the concrete wall isn't load bearing so there aren't any concrete foundation repair worries for now.
Here's a view of the concrete wall from above, looking down.
Pinching Back the Bleeding Heart or Glorybower
In a recent entry on inducing flowers on the bleeding heart, I mentioned the tip of pinching back the top sprouts.
The tip of "pinching back" on plants is nothing new. Although pinching does not guarantee flowers, it does induce the lower branches to grow rapidly, with some branches flowering in the process.
The tip of "pinching back" on plants is nothing new. Although pinching does not guarantee flowers, it does induce the lower branches to grow rapidly, with some branches flowering in the process.
How to Anchor the Wall Mounted Wire Trellis
After installing the wall mounted trellis in a previous entry, I realized how inadequate it was if I were to grow additional vines on it. And true enough, when I transferred the Mysore Clock vine (Thunbergia Mysorensis) cuttings, there may not be enough space.
The Mysore Clock vine is not an aggressive climber compared to the Princess Vine, but it has lush foliage. The Princess vine is a clinging vine while the Mysore Clock vine is a twining vine. The Princess vine grows fast and clambers and clings on to anything if not attended to. It can quickly overwhelm any other vine near it. For this reason, I decided to "extend" the currently installed trellis.
The Mysore Clock vine is not an aggressive climber compared to the Princess Vine, but it has lush foliage. The Princess vine is a clinging vine while the Mysore Clock vine is a twining vine. The Princess vine grows fast and clambers and clings on to anything if not attended to. It can quickly overwhelm any other vine near it. For this reason, I decided to "extend" the currently installed trellis.
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
Our Gotu Kola plants are thriving in a couple of pots in our terrace. The leaves are not as tender as the Shiny Bush's. They're okay though when mixing in a salad. Usually, I just chop them up and add them to the Shiny Bush or Pansit-pansitan that we get from our yard. I just then mix them up in a small bowl of vinegar with onions and ground black pepper. And that's already a side dish at dinner.
How to Assemble a Simple Bamboo Trellis for Climbing Plants
For building a simple, cheap and easy-to-build climbing structure for plants, nothing beats the versatility of bamboo. It's cheap and easily available in places that sell stuff for garden needs. Some shops also sell bamboo for fencing and chicken coop construction purposes. A tied bundle of 4 foot long bamboo split bamboo pieces numbering around 20 pieces cost Php75.
Splitting the Bamboo
Bamboo can easily be split into thinner pieces and you need a machete for this. Position the blade of the machete on one end and tap it a little until it makes a dent. Bamboo that's 1/2 or 3/4 inch thick is strong enough for a sturdy climbing structure or garden trellis for plants. After the blade splits the top end, continue adding force on the machete so the bamboo splits completely.
Splitting the Bamboo
Bamboo can easily be split into thinner pieces and you need a machete for this. Position the blade of the machete on one end and tap it a little until it makes a dent. Bamboo that's 1/2 or 3/4 inch thick is strong enough for a sturdy climbing structure or garden trellis for plants. After the blade splits the top end, continue adding force on the machete so the bamboo splits completely.
