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.

Thanks for your comments. I suspect that individual difference between plant species even in the same genus might be high. Locally the Mountain Coolibah country (Eucalyptus orgadophila) has a reputation for having somewhat higher natural levels of phosphorus, and for being poor soil for grevilleas. To paraphrase the information from a local nurseryman who lives in Mountain coolibah country and takes a strong interest in native plants: Out there they have great trouble keeping Grevilleas alive. The worst performers having been the Robyn Gordon / Ned Kelly type. The best has been the original "Golden Lyre". Unfortunately, he says, there have been another couple of plants since which have come out under the name "Golden Lyre", but they are not the same plant. The original, he says, has blunt-tipped grey foliage which resembles G. olivaceae, and he has one which is about 20 years old (I think). Apparently a new Grevillea called "Apricot Glow", with similar foliage, has come out since then and he speculates that it would also be good on Mountain Coolibah soil. Silky Oaks, Grevillea robusta, and the G.stenomera types with "ferny-type foliage" are also successful in that area. It would be interesting to know what other information members of this forum have derived from their own experience in areas where grevilleas are regarded as difficult to grow. Perhaps we could learn things from them about how to fertilise the plants we have?

I've developed a new kitchen habit - the "slops" jug kept beside the sink. The problem with kitchen greywater seems to be the detergents and the fats, so any water containing neither goes into this. It's interesting much washing-up can really be done with detergent-free water and a good scrub. Detergent is only needed for foods containing fats and oils. A small vege garden plus lots of my precious native plants in pots are easily kept watered a bit at a time with this jug, as they're not far from the kitchen door. The ethics of "water down the drain" vary according to where the water goes. Those of us lucky enough to have septic systems appreciate that it goes back into our own patch. Water that ends up in the inland river systems must only add to the national good (though it's interesting that the Toowoomba citizens who voted "no" don't seem to mind that their wastewater is used by other Australians all the way to Adelaide for drinking water, with no better treatment than systems which are decidedly of lesser quality than the one they so firmly rejected). Where wastewater is pumped out to sea, there is certainly an urgency about recycling, whether it is by use of greywater by individuals, or by government-built systems which recycle it back into the taps of the citizens. To capture freshwater high in the catchment thereby removing it from the river systems, and to send it more or less straight out to sea with none but the human race having got any benefit from it is not fair on all those other organisms, is it? The form our water restrictions take is pretty idiotic, too. Gardening is the only activity where humans use water to benefit the ecology and slow down the transfer of water from upper catchment to the sea.There should be more of it, not less, in a drought. A more ecologically aware (and perhaps more democratic) system of would restrict the amount of water to households on a litres per person basis,and let us decide for ourselves how to use those precious litres. We might prefer to bath less and water our gardens more! At present we allow members of our government to impose their own personal opinions as to which kinds of domestic water use are more wasteful than others. So we can legally fill our spa baths as often as we like. Trish

Thanks Emma, always good advice. I always plant natives, and everything else with a diluted (recommended dose) of seaweed extract too - Seasol, I use. Helps give them a good start.