Were ever able to find any of this seed. I've been trying to locate some as well. Let me know. Thanks. Drew

"I hope we can still get that cool rainbow look but I'm really just happy I'm getting any growth at all right now." Not in Virginia Beach but it's impressive, surprising even, that it managed to return from the roots. Where did your gift giver get it - or did you ask? I think they are pretty rare in commerce. "We have a lot of crepe mertles here that people cut back and the tree regrows its branches back, would a eucalyptus do the same?" It would but it's a bad idea, especially for crape myrtle. Google "crape murder" - I believe there used to be a website.

IMHO, they likely have to reach a certain size before you can get the full value for the color--at least 2 or 3" possibly more. most all the spectacular pictures of this species that folks see are obviously of large diameter mature trees. i grow a number of eucalyptus tree species outdoors (sadly not this species---it is definitely tender to any significant hard frost) and FWIW the colorful bark feature on my trees is generally not shown on seedling trees but takes several years to develop.

About the only use I've ever put it to was for lining hanging baskets for Dendrobium kingianum. Took ages to rot down - which was a useful feature indeed. The thicker chunks can be useful as mulch and I've toyed with using the inside ribbon strips instead of parchment but I'm never happy with my artistic efforts so I've not taken it further. Could be nice as a background for dried flowers, too. (Especially the muted and patched colours. M-mmm.)