Yes I am---however, you will find many "qualified" people in this forum to help you. In fact, many of the excellent contributions made here are not necessarily offered by members with formal qualifications. One of the "side effects" gained thru enjoying gardening and being a gardener is that an increase in plant knowledge naturally follows. Regards.

Doesn't it make you wonder what is happening to our society? Sometimes it feels like you can't have anything. This is the kind of thing that made me move to the country. 20 years ago, I had a whole lawn removed by some desperado while I was visiting my mum for the weekend. We sold our house and moved to the coast. I have not returned to the city since. In fact, when the coast catches up, I move a little further out. Cheers Julia

We planted native plants in our garden about seven weeks ago. A callistemon, three different grevilleas, a banksia and a boronia. All these plants have settled in really nicely and new growth is on everything except the banksia. One of the grevilleas we have is "Edna Walling - Softly Softly" (Grevillea alpina x lanigera "Blush"). It has been great, flowers all over it until now. On Saturday it was looking ok but Sunday, it wasn't looking great. Yesterday, it was looking worse. It seems to be going downhill really fast. All the new flowers have kind of shrivelled up and the plant looks dry. We have had some hot days here but since the plants seem establishd, we have backed off with the water. All the other plants are doing fine. We did give them some water on Saturday, though. Can anybody help me? I want to save my plant.

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.