razorback33: I want to address your post "I question the tenuous statement on the saveourcypress site, that some Cypress trees are harvested solely for mulch production." I can assure you that these forests/swamps are being clear cut for mulch. These trees are 80-100 years old and not suitable for lumber. Further the industry does not hide the fact that these trees are being clear cut for mulch. Educated landowners that grow their trees for lumber do selective cutting. Cut the prime, leave the smaller ones. Smaller ones will have more light and become prime. Rinse and Repeat... In regards to your statement: "Maybe they should send some representatives to the GA Capitol each year and observe the environmentally concerned organizations pressuring the House and Senate members to protect our own resources." Are you volunteering? Everyone has a vested interest in the outcome of this issue. Billions of Federal dollars are coming to Louisiana and the other gulf states to help protect it from the next natural disaster and to rebuild from the Katrina/Rita. The cypress forests/swamps and marsh are natures own and effective storm barriers. They serve to protect us from these types of natural forces and every bag of mulch made from these barriers puts us at more risk. So stop buying cypress mulch, it's made from whole trees! Here is a link that might be useful: Save Our Cypress

Here in the north, it is, of course, strictly an annual. But, from seed started indoors about 8 weeks ahead of transplant at your last frost date or just a bit before, you can still get impressive growth in good, rich, well-drained soil with a lot of watering and fertilization. Six feet of growth with considerable branching is not out of the question at all, assuming you have about a 5 month growing season outdoors. I personally enjoy citriodora, cinerea, and globbulus as the fastest growers. Some of the less common types can be fun, too, but frankly, I've never had much luck discerning the scents claimed for some of the kinds -- nicholii is claimed to smell like peppermint, for example, but frankly, it just smells like Eucalyptus. For best results starting seeds, use grow lights and heat mats. One good source for a couple of the species is Sandy Mountain Herb Farm in Alabama. They carry citriodora and globulus. Dennis SE Michigan

You never said, what type of Euc it is... that might make a difference if it is a species which is not resistant. Do you know its specie? If you have looked at articles on the Web, you have also probably read that younger Euc nitens esp have this problem but that if they survive past 2 years they may outgrow it. I guess for now you could try fungicide but then you have a couple of problems - what to use, and how to use it - creating a small "tent" of plastic would probably be of more use to reach all affected leaves without the fungicide simply spraying into the air - easier now while they are small - you could probably do it a couple of times now and then wait over winter until before the new growth starts - is there any harmful effect from using fungicide on anything else there - you mentioned sheep - can you remove them while this is going on? - what else is in the neighbourhood that might be a host to the fungus, or might be infected by the fungus - and can you do anything about that - what do if the plants survive but still have the fungus and grow too big to spray with fungicide? - again, is it a species too susceptible to this and should they be replaced with another species of euc- what is your purpose of growing them?

wow.. what an amazing colors on your macropedia fuliginosa to bad it only lasted one year (i am definitely trying that kind next year allthough the seeds are not so easy to find i discovered). Ok so the black spots are not good but if it doesnt affect flowering that much i shouldnt worry to much about it. Do you know if the stalks with the flowers on the Kangaroo Paws should also develope in the first year, mine only show the grassy leaves but no stalks yet? Also thanks for the tip on the grevilleas they are beautifull, i will try a few species next year in spring. Sadly i do not have a garden but i have a balcony which is packed to the rafters (i think thats the expression used in Australia :D )with plants and i converted one window in my house into a sort of greenhouse so everything is in pots. I do have the option to plant them out in my mums garden but since our winters are pretty cold most will have to go back inside when it strats freezing. But i am also interested in bonsai so next year a few of the different trees i have will go in the ground to make the nebari grow a bit more. Here are a few pics off the limited space i have...