Pest Plant: Wild Ginger

The conditions this summer have been exactly right for wild ginger to thrive. However, this tropical-looking and quite attractive plant is on the National Pest Plant Accord, meaning it's a risk to NZ's ecology and economy, so it's gotta go when you find it on your property.

There are two types of wild ginger, kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum), a native of India and Nepal, and yellow ginger (Hedychium flavescens), a native of India and Madagascar. Both species are non-woody perennials, growing up to 2m tall from thick-branching rhizomes (swollen underground stems). Their dense underground root system spreads up to onemetre deep excluding all other species. Both species produce shiny leaves 20 to 45cm long.

Both species prefer forest environments, where soils are fertile and damp, thus wild ginger has been termed a 'forest invader'.

Areas where it can commonly be seen growing include forests, streamsides, alluvial forest, light gaps and gullies. It cannot tolerate very dry or rocky areas, due to the generally low fertility of the soil in such environments.

Why is it a problem?

Wild ginger can still successfully multiply when rhizomes are damaged. Young plants are very palatable to livestock, and both species tend to invade all areas where stock are excluded, including within native bush and on road sides and riverbanks

Due to its all-smothering nature, it will eventually replace all other species, being extremely shade tolerant, somewhat tolerant of frost and drought and can withstand immersion in sea water.

Control Methods: Physical control

Small seedlings can be hand pulled and disposed of carefully. Small clumps can be dug out, as long as all of the root system is removed and disposed of safely. Rhizomes can be placed in a black plastic bag and rotted, or placed in a weak herbicide mix, crushed, dried then burned. Larger clumps should be sprayed.

When removing kahili ginger, remove flower heads as a stopgap before spraying or removing the whole plant. This won’t kill the plant but will stop it from seeding that year. Burn the seed heads.

Herbicide control

Cut stems and paint stumps with 1g metsulfuron-methyl (600g/kg e.g. Escort®) per 1L water.

Spray 5g metsulfuron-methyl + 10ml penetrant (e.g. organosilicone) per 10 litres of water.

Reprinted with permission from the Northern Regional Council's website.

Setting High Goals and Achieving Them

Matthew Morrison, the director of Deluxe Plumbing & Gas Ltd, is always up for a challenge. That’s one of the reasons that he decided to set up his own Plumbing & Gas company five years ago at the age of 24. “You can be the best plumber and gas fitter, but you’ve got to learn all about the business side of things, and that’s been a challenge that I’ve enjoyed,” says Matthew.

He started on his own, working with a business mentor, knowing he wanted to build his own team with a reputation for good skills and hard work. Clients seemed to like what he had to offer and within a year the business was flourishing. Five years later, they are a team of seven, including two office staff, servicing all of Auckland, from Wellsford to Mt Wellington and recently growing the business in Riverhead and Coatesville areas.

Matthew himself has recently moved to Riverhead and is enjoying being part of the tight-knit community. Post the devastating flooding, Matthew’s road, which abuts the creek, saw a lot of damage. “The silver lining of the unfortunate events was seeing the community come together, get stuck in and help out with the clean up,” recalls Matthew.

Deluxe Plumbing & Gas have a 70 percent referral rate, which no doubt owes a lot to Matthew’s clear focus on the three fundamentals: “communication, operational excellence and professionalism.” They pride themselves on seeing the job through to the end, problem-solving as required, and guaranteeing all their work.

They’re a friendly team and enjoy each other's company outside of work. Deluxe Plumbing & Gas work hard to deliver quality, efficient and dependable service every time.

A1 Sure Services Tree Care All aspects of tree work, stump grinding and land clearance. Qualified arborists. Full Insurance. Free quotes. 446 1258 or 021 175 8660

Agricultural contractor mulching/ gorse clearing, mowing (& lawns), rotary hoeing/seeding, stump grinding, Graeme 027 533 3114

Bruce Gillespie Fencing For all lifestyle block and farm fencing. Phone 027 273 1793

Clean Queen I'll have your house looking like a castle. References supplied. Ph Angela 021 0832 9352 Coatesville Mulch Mowing 1 to 50 acres, local contractor, affordable rates. Phone Warren and Brenda Mills on 415 6503 or 021 191 4195

Connect Electrics For all your electrical solutions, Phone Kris 022 332 6663 or 412 6066 GET IN SHAPE Local private gym for one-on-one training or small group sessions, specialising in weight loss, general fitness and rehabilitation. Call Debbie 027 441 8769.

Haven Hair Design Need a completely new look or just a trim? Senior hair stylist and salon owner Lisa Cross will help you look and feel your best. Call today to book your next appointment at Haven Hair Design in Albany village. Phone 09 415 4424 or book online www.havenhairdesign.co.nz

LAWN MOWING, You Grow & Joe will mow. Lifestyle, commercial and residential. Ph Joe 021 624 494 / joseph@propertyfit.co.nz

Local Shearer, Kevin Abel, 021 223 5033 Painters & Decorators Marshall Painters can help with all your painting needs; interiors, exteriors, even waterblasting to make sure you get the top quality finish we're famous for. With over 50 years experience in the company, we have the skills you need. Call Marcus on 021 024 86516 or email marshallpainters@gmail.com. Pilates in Coatesville Hall, Thursday

@ 6pm. Special – 2 free lessons for new clients. $12 school term, $15 concession card and $20 casual class. Contact Abraham on 021 122 1530 or abrahampardo@gmail.com

Professional Oven Cleaning

All size ovens, local references and great service from an experienced professional. Text Kiri 021 233 6028 Scout Marquee for hire, 6m x 8m, $250 per day. Call Garth 447 1863 The Blooming Beekeeper fully maintained beehive service. The ideal eco-friendly gift. Bee packages; beekeeping lessons; artisan bee products; swarm catching. Coatesville based. Call Val 021 755 833.

Who’s your caterer? Beautifully presented, great tasting food, at competitive prices. Phone Helen Cato 415 7771 or 021 211 8223.

Zumba at the Coatesville Settlers Hall on Mondays at 10am. $15 per session or $12 each if you buy five. For more information, or to book your space at the next class, call Hana 021 02212714.