Pesky King Parrots

[DeborahJane]

My Dragon Alum was a lovely surprise. In was told that it would die off so when it did I in put it in the "Keep an eye on Corner" and promptly forgot about it. Just discovered it last week and it was about 15 inches high with a leaf and a new shoot at the base and with this spectacular white and green patterned stem. Thrilled to bits I put it in what I'd hoped was a protected position. Alas not. I found today that the middle of the stem has been chewed☹. So much for this year. I was hoping for the deep pink flower, apparently foul smelling but spectacular. I know it was a King Parrot. I've seen them in action and seen the aftermath before. They can't resist a succulent but I'd hoped this plant might have been safe . I do like the birds though and like having them around so I have come up with a "cunning plan". We are in Stage 4 lockdown here and so essential shopping within 5 km only so off I go Online Shoping and have ordered a large fancy bird cage in which to house my special plants. A bird cage to keep the birds out.

 

[Tetters]

Maybe you could get a larger fruit cage as well, you can get even more in one of those

 

[zigs]

We keep our Strawberries in a dog cage to keep the ...king blackbirds off

 

[DeborahJane]

My "Plant Cage" arrived. I'm thrilled with it. it will take a bit of arranging though, priority plants only. A friend suggested something to hang from the dome so, once again, because of our isolation 5km rule so no shopping, I decided to convert this lantern, which i really didn't use, into a hanging container. I might just look into a fruit cage Tetters or a dog cage zigs to protect a larger number of my plants from our bird life.

 

[zigs]

Looking good DJ

 

[Tetters]

Huh, yours is much posher than ours....
and I`m not even a little bit jealous - much! When I holidayed in the Whitsundays a few years ago we were warned to keep our windows closed when leaving the room, and that was because of the white ..king parrots and their antics - destructive sods aren`t they !!

 

[the lawnsman]

My "Plant Cage" arrived. I'm thrilled with it. it will take a bit of arranging though, priority plants only. A friend suggested something to hang from the dome so, once again, because of our isolation 5km rule so no shopping, I decided to convert this lantern, which i really didn't use, into a hanging container. I might just look into a fruit cage Tetters or a dog cage zigs to protect a larger number of my plants from our bird life.View attachment 70905View attachment 70906View attachment 70907View attachment 70908

wow!
what an impressive work of art!

I inherited a small cage from a former client-quite simple compared to yours.

 

[DeborahJane]

Nice use of the bird cage lawnsman. I'll be keeping an eye open for more once we are able to be out and about again. Thanks zigs and tetters. I am happy with it.

 

[DeborahJane]

I need another "cunning plan".
In spite of being cut in half my Draculanus Vulgaris has outgrown its cage. I can't quite believe its' growth rate. I've been searching to see if it will survive if I ....... 1. Plant it in a big pot out in the garden or 2. Plant it in the ground.
It means it would be exposed to the elements and we can have up to 40 degrees C in summer and down to 3 degrees in winter. It dies off to nothing for winter so I could, according to my research, be "tucked in "with pea straw doona. Any ideas please.
I

 

[Tetters]

Well now @DeborahJane I believe this thing grows to about 61/2 feet. How about if you took it out, and raised the cage a few feet, put the pot underneath and thread the monster through the bars on the cage floor. Drape some netting around the base to protect the stem or grow primroses instead

 

[DeborahJane]

You may be right Tetters. Primroses would be a whole lot easier! but thanks for the plan, . It just may work!

 

[DeborahJane]

Bit of a come down hey?

 

[Tetters]

Have to admit - your picture made me laugh

If you always have problems with the parrots, would it not be possible to net the entire deck area with something a bit posh as a completely bird free area? It would keep the Christmas bugs out at the same time

 

[DeborahJane]

I h

View attachment 72039Have to admit - your picture made me laugh

If you always have problems with the parrots, would it not be possible to net the entire deck area with something a bit posh as a completely bird free area? It would keep the Christmas bugs out at the same time

I'm happy it made you laugh Tetters . I have thought about trying to somehow net in the deck or part of but it just doesn't seem possible without a lot of effort and expense. It would be great to allow my precious cat more freedom too. We have been giving her some supervised outside time but I do get easily distracted, something needs weeding or snipping and then she disappears.