I've always liked these but I'd never even consider trying to grow one. They grow naturally in South Australia and also in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. I've found them (in habitat) growing within about 100 kms inland from Port Hedland. In that climate they get a lot of rain throughout summer and a very dry winter. Plants in South Australia would be the opposite, dry summer and wetter winter. Always made me wonder whether plants that originate in different climates have different requirements, or whether any of them will cope anywhere within the range of the species. One of them from near Port Hedland.

By the way, mine are seed grown and haven't yet put on stems below the leaves. Both have multiplied their heads and are not quite as attractive as when they had single stems - what they really need is a good fire through them. Alternatively cutting way back, but I reckon fire is better, it's more natural for them. Also, a purchased 'bush' collected specimen (anything up to $200 plus) by a licensed collector, can take up to 2 years to die: they can be transplanted but care needs to be taken to disturb the roots as little as possible. B.

20 minutes once a week, probably ok but might depend on the type of soil you have in the planter boxes. My guide would be to test each morning how quickly the site dries out - by pushing finger into soil should give a good indication - if it's bone dry after 4 days or 5 days then you might consider adjusting. Some of those natives you've mention, however, do require more space than you've indicated: banksias, grevilleas, lilly-pillies, depending on the variety, for example.

G'day funnelweb,.,I really dig spiders.Spesherly when I'm tanked.Big fanged lady huntsmen are favourite that I let have the run of me joint that I can hand feed insects too.It's a heap of fun playing tug of war with them when they latch on to a juicy big cricket. Unfortunately for one of my huntsmen girls who I had watched and fed from a spiderling, my daily Grey Shrike Thrush visitor called Shrikey, ignored the curl grub I was offering him, darted up me kitchen window, grabbed the poor spider, bashed it to death on the counter and ate it. Broke me heart. PS, Auzziebloke is the only handle I go by. There's a zillion "aussies" in circulation and I aint one of them. eeeeeeeerz cheeeeeeeerz to your earz funnelweb.