Doesn't it make you wonder what is happening to our society? Sometimes it feels like you can't have anything. This is the kind of thing that made me move to the country. 20 years ago, I had a whole lawn removed by some desperado while I was visiting my mum for the weekend. We sold our house and moved to the coast. I have not returned to the city since. In fact, when the coast catches up, I move a little further out. Cheers Julia

Experimentation is fine if it is based on understanding the peculiar aspects of what ever plant we are dealing with. When it comes to Australian native Proteaceae plants there are unique considerations that need to be taken into account. Once we have an understanding of these characteristics then by all means we can take advantage of them. Experimenting blindly is not nearly as constructive. Australian Proteaceae plants are sensitive to Phosphorous to varying degrees. BUT it all makes sense if we are aware of what their original environment was. Proteaceae from the skeletal sandstone soils that have always been very low in nutrients, especially phosphorous, have over thousands of years, developed special adaptions known as proteiod roots. They are noticeably different. (I shall spare you further details about Proteiod roots, but a Google might give you more.) Plants developed these in order to maximise the surface root area so they can absorb the scarce nutrients that may be present in these sandstone derived soils. However in the more nutrient rich rainforest zones it is quite possible that Proteaceae are more tolerant of nutrients and maybe even Phosphorous. I always err on the side of avoiding common fertilisers with high rates of phosphorous. Even chook poo can cause problems, although I do give my rainforest plants a dose of Dynamic Lifter once a year. For example, I find Banksia ericifolia to be very sensitive while some Grevilleas are a bit more tolerant. As for your last remark Nathan I assume it is a joke. Anyone being wrong, should not inferr anyone is not wanted.

The wholesale grower, Monterey Bay Nursery out of Watsonville ships to nurseries in Oregon and Washington states, and has this Banksia species. You should check with your local retail nurseries to see whether they buy plants from them, and can order it for you. You also have an excellent local retail nursery by the name of Cistus, which most probably has this at least in a one gallon size.

Dryandras are bl**dy temperamental. I have had every single one (all six) pack up and die. Very unhappy with them. I have heard the line "Can't grow a banksia, grow a hakea instead". And that's what I have done. Although I have recently popped in quite a few banksias and so far, so good (although one hookeriana just decided to pack up and die too). But I am particularly happy with my banksia littoralis which has some lovely new growth on it. I have a banksia ericafolia and it seems to be ok - not yellow but no flowers as of yet.