how to cut harakeke

Harvesting harakeke Weavers say a karakia (prayer) before cutting the first blade of harakeke. They always cut on the diagonal, away from the plant's heart and from top to bottom. This helps rainwater drain away and prevents the heart from being flooded and dying. Harvesting is not permitted at night or in rain.

1. What does Harakeke mean in NZ?
2. How do you get rid of flax NZ?
3. Can I cut back Phormium?
4. Do Phormiums have deep roots?
5. Can you cut back flax?
6. How do I make my Cordylines bushy?
7. How do you take care of flax?
8. Is Harakeke poisonous?
9. Can you eat Harakeke?
10. What is Flax used for today?
11. Does Round Up kill flax?
12. How do you prune dianella?
13. Why is my New Zealand flax dying?
14. How do you divide Phormium?
15. What plants look good with Phormium?
16. How do you dig up a large Phormium?

What does Harakeke mean in NZ?

The harakeke (flax) plant represents the whānau (family) in Māori thought. The rito (shoot) is the child. It is protectively surrounded by the awhi rito (parents). The outside leaves represent the tūpuna (grandparents and ancestors).

How do you get rid of flax NZ?

Flax are real survivors and have a fantastic fibrous root system which hinders digging out the entire plant. I would cut all top foliage off to start with. A sharp machete would be best. Remove all the leaf spears so that the root ball is exposed.

Can I cut back Phormium?

You can cut some of the older leaves off your Phormium at base level to encourage new leaves, but these leaves are very tough and you will need to use a sharp knife. One of the problems with Phormiums is that they do grow into very large plants.

Do Phormiums have deep roots?

They have roots more like a big herbaceous plant than a tree or shrub, but they are tough and not easy to split with a spade. ... If you lift your plant once the worse of the weather has passed, you could keep a chunk for you and offer divisions for free or swapsies with reasonable confidence they should all take.

Can you cut back flax?

In general, the best time for pruning New Zealand flax occurs in fall. Growers can prepare for winter by removing any flower stalks from the plant, and by removing any brown leaves which have been damaged by the sun. ... In this case, most growers suggest cutting the plant down to the ground.

How do I make my Cordylines bushy?

Yes, by pinching or damaging the growing tip will stimulate the growth of side shoots, if the plant is too tall you can even cut the top off to the desired height.

How do you take care of flax?

One of the main requirements this plant has is well-draining soil. Boggy or heavy clay soils will reduce growth and can contribute to rotten stems and rhizomes. The flax tolerates partial sun but will perform better in full sun situations. New Zealand flax attracts birds and is not attractive to deer.

Is Harakeke poisonous?

The plant grows as a clump of long, straplike leaves, up to two metres long, from which arises a much taller flowering shoot, with dramatic yellow or red flowers. ... The blades of the plant contain cucurbitacins, which are poisonous to some animals, and some of them are among the bitterest tastes to humans.

Can you eat Harakeke?

As an added bonus, the seeds of harakeke are edible and quite sweet when in their green or white state. Simply snap the pod and squeeze the seeds out. Flowers also contain a delicious nectar, provided in abundance by the flax, a real energy boost in a survival situation.

What is Flax used for today?

Flax can be used in seed, ground seed and oil form and has a nutty flavor. The seed, ground or whole, is used in baking breads, cookies, scones and is used with many meat dishes. It is sprinkled on salads, in salad dressings, cereal, cottage cheese or yogurt.

Does Round Up kill flax?

Glyphosate kills the gorse, and will severely damage the flax.

How do you prune dianella?

Tips for Pruning Flax Plants

To cut flax lilies back, measure approximately six inches up from the ground and cut through several of the leaves using a pair of pruning shears. You can use your first cut as a guide to trim the rest of the foliage to the same approximate height.

Why is my New Zealand flax dying?

New Zealand Flax can become too large and overcrowded and appreciate being dug and divided every few years. Browning leaves can indicate too much or too little water or too much fertilizer. These plants generally do not have any insect pests.

How do you divide Phormium?

It is easy to propagate phormiums by dividing the clumps in spring. Separate the leaf fans with roots, pot them up and grow on. If dividing into larger sections, you can plant the divisions straight away into prepared soil.

What plants look good with Phormium?

Phormium on the prairie

Use a combination of ornamental grasses and colourful perennials to create maximum impact in larger spaces – or even in borders. A mixture of tall and short grasses, umbellifers, daisies and flowers of both globe and spire shapes will give you the best results.

How do you dig up a large Phormium?

So, first job, get a fork and loosen the soil all around it. If the Phormium is in a very floppy state, you can either cut off the outside leaves, or tie the whole thing up into a bundle to make it easier to deal with. Having loosened the soil, dig in with the fork, get underneath it, and lever it out of the ground.