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Australian Native Plants

Geraldton Wax

21 years ago

My Geraldton Wax has broken off right near the base. I'm not sure if these have lignotubers. Is there any hope it will grow back, or is it now just garden mulch?

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Comments (5)

popi_gw
21 years ago
I think lignotubers are only a feature in the Myrtaceae family, geraldton wax is in the Rutaceae family....methinks, so that could possibly mean that your plant is indeed destined to be mulch. So sorry about that pos02.

Then again I could be wrong !
pos02
Original Author
21 years ago
I've taken some cuttings and planted them with some rooting hormone under a plastic bag. Maybe they will strike. I've acyually never tried this, so am keen to see if it will work.
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Hello Jan, Your page states that you live in central Qld. Firstly, if you are on the coast, it will be a humid area,(with wet summers). That's not going to suit the Geraldton Wax - it will most likely have died of root rot disease. Even Brisbane is difficult for it. Secondly, your area may just be too hot too - Geraldton is about the same latitude as Brisbane and Toowoomba. I live in the Toowoomba district and have successfully grown them (though the first one I planted years ago died after a magnificent flowering, after a couple of years). The climate here is not as humid as, and a little cooler than Brisbane, and we have well-drained soil mostly. BUT, you can buy grafted Geraldton Wax now. I think that would be worth trying in your area, though it's more expensive to buy these. (None of mine are grafted, though I have thought about buying such.) Best of luck, Frank
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follicle
21 years ago
Chamelaucium is in the myrtaceae family which doesn't help your problem though posO2. Do you think the ground you are growing it in is too heavy?? Sand or gravel only for these beauties and they are not too keen on high humidity levels also. Wax will often break off as you describe if the soil is heavy and has poor drainage. Raising the bed with a more open soil texture in full sun just might work.
pos02
Original Author
21 years ago
We are in sandstone country. The ground is actually quite rock hard, and I have dug a small amount of compost into each hole as the plants are planted. I have had a few problems with this bed before, and not sure if the birds are taking the plants for their nest. There is definitely no waterlogged areas.
follicle
21 years ago
If your ground is rock hard and you place compost in the hole,the danger is you are creating a "sump" and this is where the water will tend to sit. Mixing the compost with the existing soil will help but I do feel the only way for wax in your kind of soil is to raise the beds.

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