Bichons

Bronson and Bianca Boyle, Bichon Frises from Townsville in Queensland, emailed to dispute some of the details in our Bichon Frise road test.

The breeder interviewed in our segment said, "For dogs with that length coat, you'd be looking at spending probably half an hour a day grooming, then at least every 4 to 6 weeks the dog needs a haircut. We try not to let them get dirty in the first place, plus we bath them every week without fail. Sometimes their mouths get a little bit dirty but we try not to feed anything in gravy, it's mainly dry food. And if they do get a little bit dirty we use a bit of baby powder and just brush it through".

Apparently Bronson and Bianca only need a bath and a good brush once per week. They also sent in some beaut photos of their adventures on a Harley

Dog kennel

Natasha Hamilton, from Coledale in New South Wales, wrote to tell Don about her beautiful rescue dog, Harley. He is a large dog (Red Setter x Golden Retriever), and so it was difficult to find an attractive dog house that was big enough. Tasha's husband took up the challenge and built a fabulous, solid and very eye-catching kennel for Harley. Natasha designed and shaped the finishing touch - a surfboard for the front with the initial 'H'.

Climbers

Claudia Vercion-Horner, from Mill Park in Victoria, wrote to ask if ivy growing on brickwork will eat away at the mortar.

There are three climbers readily available in Australia that stick to bricks, English ivy, creeping fig and Boston ivy (see plant details below). Although they don't really attack mortar, once attached to a masonry wall the clinging roots are difficult to remove. After removal unsightly marks will be left on the wall. If the side of the house is painted and you pull off the climber, the paint will come off too.

English ivy (Hedera helix)

A woody, evergreen climber, with both a juvenile and adult form. Juvenile leaves are glossy and dark green with whitish veins. Adult leaves are lighter green and thick, with less prominent whitish veins. Plants in the adult stage produce greenish-white flower clusters followed by purple fleshy berries. Although a popular ornamental plant still sold by nurseries, English ivy has become a major weed in many parts of the world.

English Ivy

Creeping fig

Boston Ivy

Creeping fig (Ficus pumila)

A vigorous, climbing fig that attaches itself to surfaces by means of aerial roots. It has crinkly, heart-shaped juvenile leaves on a tracery of fine stems, which adhere closely to its support. When the plant matures it starts to produce large, leathery adult foliage on horizontal, woody branches. Mature plants also produce yellowish-green, inedible figs. This plant is very high maintenance if grown on buildings, and will dislodge roof tiles, damage wooden structures and attempt to cover everything in a curtain of green. Pruning is necessary to control rampant growth, and also to remove horizontal branches which stand out from the support and produce unattractive adult foliage.

Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)

Boston ivy is not actually an ivy but a member of the Vitaceae, or grape family. It is a deciduous climber, which attaches itself to walls by means of sucker-like discs at the tips of branched tendrils. The leaves are 3-lobed and turn brilliant shades of red, yellow and purple in autumn. The downside is that the disc-like suckers permanently mark walls.

Letter of the Week

Natasha Hamilton wins the Letter of the Week award, and a year's free subscription to the Burke's Backyard magazine. Congratulations Natasha!

Copyright CTC Productions 2004