Hi all, Just following up on this thread with some progress photos. The Calathea that was almost dead a few months back is now forging on in the gritty mix. You can see how it now looks, compared to the earlier photo, where the leaves were just emerging from the soil: The Bromeliad pups (taken from the parent a few days ago), now planted in the gritty mix: Some african violet cuttings (leaves) I planted in the gritty mix a few days ago: The fern we have out on the patio. Happy in the gritty mix, as you can see, sending out new fronds: Different herbs (grown from seed) in the gritty mix: Little lemon trees growing in different mixes. The 2 on the left were grown from seed, while the one on the right was a branch cutting (it had a head start!!!). They were all originally growing in "premium" bagged potting mixes, but I moved one into the gritty mix, and the other into the 5-1-1 mix. The third one (on the right) remained in the bagged soil. Although they all appear to be doing well, the two on the left have darker leaves and are quickly catching up to the one on the right: Once again, thanks to everyone on this forum for your input and kindness in sharing your knowledge and advice. Have a Happy Christmas!!! Regards, Pete

Yes but tropical trees rarely change colour in the autumn, and they rarely make elm shaped leaves. A couple of people have mentioned acacias. No way. Like I said, they're ugly and dead and dry looking for 11/12 months of the year. I was quite particular about the American elm for a couple of reasons. First, because I have a sentimental attachment to the tree. Second, because nothing really compares. If an alternative tree has the right habit, it'll have the wrong leaves. If a different tree has the right colour leaves, it'll have a completely different growth habit. The tree, as far as I can tell, is in a class of its own. The only thing that comes close, imo, is the English elm. But I don't want an English elm, I want an American elm damnit! lol I have exams on at the moment. When they finish I'm gonna go for a drive to Canberra to get some cuttings and to hunt for seeds. If they take I'll update you all. If not, I think I might just buy one from these folks. I reckon that'll be expensive though :\ http://www.establishedtrees.com.au/

I don't see anything else in either the registry or the photo index with Ornato and Tiger as parents, HDD. There's one that is odorata x Tiger, is that what you're referring to? Or are we talking about the off clone of HL x Foster's Pink Tips? I'm still waiting for a name for the best clone of that cross, it certainly deserves one. While poking around in there I also came across a hybrid that claims to have GRT as a pollen parent, although there is nothing in the outward appearance of the plant to verify that. Maybe yes, maybe no.......

Chrisms, Australia has a huge climatic range, as Im sure the USA does. But apart from the large arid central areas, and the extreme south and highlands which have snow and frosts in winter, Australia's general climatic range is tropical through to warm temperate. The east coast tends to be more wet summers dry winters, the west, & some of the south, the reverse. The north is true tropics, be that wet or dry. Given the long growing season in most arrable parts, I would say that Australia probably has MANY "salad bowls" I can only speak for the south east of Queensland. There I guess one of the best know areas is the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane. A lot of vegetables are grown there. It is a very rich area, unfortunately it is also susceptible to terrible devastating storms, at times. "Greens" are probably grown all over to some degree, even lettuce as hydroponics if one has the area. Sometimes access to markets seems as important as climate and people just adjust. We have a rich culture of immigrants who brought their market gardening experience from other countries and just adapted it, despite hardships and what the climate threw at them. Apart from the "greens" and from my local experience, various areas of the east coast have been utilized for produce. Lower coastal flats for sugar-cane, cooler areas for citrus and blossom crops mainly apples. Bananas in clusters (bad joke), pineapples in hilly areas of no use for anything else. Your question was interesting, I hope some folk from other states will come on board. Generally I would say that the face of agriculture in Australia is changing dramatically. We have severe droughts. We have a virtual monopoly by major supermarket chains dictating what they will buy and therefore what will be grown. We have extreme competition from overseas imports. We also have, god bless them, a lot of people still getting a thrill from producing something home grown from their own quarter acre block or even their townhouse patio. Google for the Lockyer valley and you will find plenty of links.