Thanks for the reply. Wholesale isn't a problem, as I am working with my landscaper. I've seen the shot at MBN. But let me ask you this: does that bottlebrush at Monterey Bay look purple to you? The plant I see when I drive by it twice a week is dark purple, none of that mauvey pink wannabe ersatz purple.

I haven't transplanted a Callistemon before although,I've transplanted several Banksias & Palms. It was through transplanting Palms I got the idea of cutting the roots around the plant at a diam.no bigger than you can comfortably handle on your own. Do this about 3-4 weeks (longer if time permits) before you transplant cutting straight down,don't cut the roots undeneath just yet. Prepare the new site by making the hole fairly large & trn in some native fertilizers. Keeping the roots cut gives your plant time to recover from the shock of having it's roots tampered with. Don't cut the roots directly under your plant untill you are ready to moove it. If you do the prep during autum/winter come spring they will recover with no problems. I did it with my Banksias with great results when I was told it couldn't be done.

Hi funnelweb, appreciate your reply but Phytophthora is a serious issue in the bush and we have to be careful. On the issue of "is it or is it not" a fungus - and this is a sidetrack to the real issue - Phytophthora is a member of the Kingdom Chromalveolata where as a fungus is a member of the Kingdom Fungi - in the evolutionary process both are thought to have had a common ancestor but took different evolutionary paths. And yes, scientists are still arguing over the above points. The real issue with Phytophthora is stopping the spread - I live in an area with no recorded Phytophthora infestations and yet often work in Phytophthora infected sites and the last thing I want to do is bring the disease into my area. In applying Phytopthora protocols to ensure I am not responsible for the spread I have to assume that every site I work on is Phytopthora free and thus I apply the correct practices at every site to protect that site. Never assume that Phytopthora is everywhere - it isn't. Do you know for certain if you have Phytopthora on your property? Has this been confirmed by the authorities? If yes, what steps do you take to ensure you don't spread the disease to areas that are not affected? Phytopthora can be spread by soil particles on your boots, do you think about that when you go for a bushwalk? The chances of Phytopthora spreading from Australia are remote as most Australian natives are propogated in the USA by seed or cutting, not be Jumbos loaded with 6" potted plants, and even then the soil would have to be treated to be Phytopthora free. I really don't think we need to be putting the fear of Phytopthora into "jeeboo" or any of our other overseas friends who are discovering a passion for our wonderful Australian natives.

Hi Alas I don't have an answer for you, I'm just interested to see if you get any response, as I have a couple of trees with similar black stuff, and I wonder if there is a point where they are beyond saving. ie does it restrict growth and yes does it spread throughout the garden? I pruned a callistemon last year quite harshly, or should I say ruthlessley, as I read they are quite hardy and it was neglected. The soot has not returned and the tree is looking gorgeous, so maybe you have done the right thing. Stabs in the dark though, I am absolutely guessing. good luck