Seems to me that if we're talking about the 'english ivy'....hederer halix, that the two plants were made for each other since their soil needs are almost alike, i.e. almost damp constantly. The importance then is for the plants to be made sure to drain after each and every watering. The trouble ensues, when the one plant, receiving the same light and possible fertilizer of the other, it doesn't treat the same. The dracaena likes a higher humidity and the difference in the two might be satisfied by simply misting the larger plant and doing so on a regular basis.

How about a nice big dog? We used to have the same problem every year with mama raccoon trying to nest under our deck. A trouble light stuck under there solved that problem until my hubby built our new, super duper raccoon proof deck. We had a family visit the cherry tree at 6 pm one evening. Mama and her 4 babies s l o w l y made their way down the tree when they saw us. Cherry tree is gone now but we're still visited by some that are very skilled in opening garbage cans. Throw it to the ground repeatedly and eventually the lid will pop off. Doesn't phase them if hubby scares them off between trys. Especially fun to do when salmon bones are in there. So nice to wake up to that mess spread all over the yard. Soooooooo guess it sounds like I don't have any solutions for your problem. Nesting raccoons yes, hungry raccoons, no. ;)

Hi Pogo, Sorry to hear that nurseries up there seem to have lost the plot :) OK, I am a tad frustrated at not being able to find more info online, but the new varieties seem to be marketed under the 'Colours of Afrika' and 'HN' labels, but pumping either into Google doesnt give me what I want - contact details. Punching in the names of various hybrids ('Carnival Clown', 'Rio Carnivale' etc) is equally fruitless, so all I can suggest is that you ring Neil Fisher at Fisher's Nursery: Fishers Nursery Garden Centre 425 Rockonia Rd North Rockhampton 4701 (07) 4928 2440 Fax (07) 4928 2999 Mobile Service 0408 282 440 Neil is frequently sidetracked due to his workload, but when he told me that he is off to a conference with some serious croton collectors, I believed him. He may very well know someone in your neck of the woods who can help you out - as he points out, some of the best croton hybrids have been developed right here in Oz, and a lot of the knowledge is found in backyards rather than nurseries. The crotons I bought from Neil have been an excellent addition to the garden - they are the varieties with the thin, 'shredded paper' style leaves that look decidely weird in the pot but awesome in the garden. Its amazing how much these plants have lifted a couple of spots which were in danger of becoming a little ho-hum :) Happy collecting, Artie

g'day richtrav, i didn't know any of the cordylines/dracaena's had trouble growing in the humid tropics here in qld they seem to thrive everywhere, to my knowledge most of the fancier ones are indemic to the tropical islands of polynesia and mycronesia. if you have had problems maybe research soil type/condition or aspect of that growing conditions. my help probably not much help though so maybe you could post this question over at ausgarden len Here is a link that might be useful: lens garden page