GGGRRRRRRRRR BP is so downplaying this disaster and making it a spectators mecca with the live feed video. http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/93687?fp=1 I can understand people want to see what is going on and how bad it is but the video is so very not showing the magnitude of the situation. The size, the scale and scope of the leak is not really shown and there is nothing the average person can use to put the scene into perspective. It doesn't look so bad so it can't be bad right? And like every other video fad I can remember people get bored with the newest fad quickly. Face it watching a black cloudy bubbling up from a crack in the ground (even underwater) isn't exciting or particularly dangerous looking so there is no thrill. Off they go to find something new and thrilling, forgetting the spill and not realizing unless we keep up the pressure on BP to fix it that leak will continue pumping 210,000+ gals of oil into the water everyday. One reporter somewhere said "Well with the size of the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean 210,00 gals is just a drop in a bucket." That comment chapped my youknowwhat. Let us think about this. I know some of you are familiar with salt water aquariums and have some very nice ones in your home. Lets just say your tank is a 50 gal and it has a couple different corals, starfishes, a few variety of fish, a few anemone, maybe a shrimp or 2 and whatever else you feel makes a beautiful tank and a thriving ecosystem closely resembling the real oceans. NOW lets drop a big drop of crude oil in that tank everyday. Even with a great filter system on that tank How long do you think it will take before that daily drop of oil starts to effect the life in that tank? Lets say the reaction to the oil started with in a few days on a very microcosmic scale the plankton and micro organisms that are the first on the food chain for larger creatures are dying off. What affect do you think it will have on future generations of the sweet little fishes and corals. Put that into scale for the worlds oceans and bring that chain of events right up to knocking on your door. It can happen. Whats worse is the feed is so popular that it can not take the traffic and keeps crashing. BP apologizes and says they are working on the problem. Like color me cynical okay & excuse me is that anything like WORKING ON FIXING THE LEAK that camera will be crashed for a long time. I feel like painting up signs "STOP THE LEAK" "BOYCOTT BP" "BREAK FROM PB UNTIL the BREAK IS FIXED" then going to stroll the sidewalk back and forth in front of a BP near me. GRRRRRR Thanks for the vent-let I gotta rant or I'll go ballistic Here is a link that might be useful: yahoo buzz

Liatris, The main branch of the society is based in Bundaberg which is a bit closer to you than the Sunshine Coast is. We have meetings on the 2nd Sunday of the month (usually but can vary) and have held meetings so far from as far south as Howard to as far north as Gladstone. For interest meetings are held in members gardens and some public gardens. I will email you with the details of the next meeting if you like. Andrew.

Hi Jan, Where do start ? :) I guess it comes down to your friends definition of 'tropical' - get him/her to show you photos from articles/web pages that appeal, and work from there. My own preference is to use a combination of natives and exotics, but it comes down to finding what works. The key is microclimate, and that means establishing effective barriers to sun and wind which dont completely block either (if that makes sense) - airflow through the garden is very important (as it is with any style of garden). Good soil is particularly important in a tropical garden - palms and other tropical plants are heavy feeders and do best in a deep, rich friable soil. We all know the deal here - lots of compost, gypsum for clay soils etc. The Sunny Coast is famous for the quality of its soil, so you should be on a winner there. Colin Campbell claims that it doesnt hold water terribly well, so the compost remains a good idea. My planting tip is to put in as many advanced palms as you can afford, as they will give the garden an established feel from the outset. From there its a case of choosing the underplantings, and that comes down to the usual practical and aesthetic criteria. Many tropical gardens have been built on a small palette of proven standards - cordylines, crotons, gingers, bromeliads and ferns - but the sky is generally the limit. Find out what works in your area and go with it - its easy to become fascinated with some of the more delicate tropicals, but old standbys like Tradescantia really earn their pay when conditions get tough. I've also had a lot of success with Diffenbachia and various Philodendrons - your mileage may differ. Layering plants, tallest at the back and smallest at the front (ok, ok .. ), is usually pretty straight-forward with tropical plants, and it will give you the best combination of privacy and shade. Jan, I suspect that you know a lot more about gardening than I do - tropical gardens are simply another form of cottage garden, IMO. As with any mixed planting, how you group your plants determines how effective the overall vision will be. Combining plant choice with effective placement is where it's at for mine - things like water features, follies (bridges/ornate doors etc) and statuary can usually come later. Good luck, Artie

I would write to Reliable Roses in Victoria info@reliableroses.com.au Those two roses are not on their list and I cannot find them on any Australian Websites Reliable Roses have quite a few Species Roses on their website so may be able to recommend two similar ones. All the best with your search.. Mary-Anne Here is a link that might be useful: Reliable Roses Catalogue