And a great New Year to you, Phil. Try checking out the Auckland Yellow Pages for plant places - maybe Palmers or Oderings. Too cold in Southland. I think there's a place - Dows Seeds which might have seed available. I know you don't mind seed-growing adventures - :-D!

Have you tried emailing any commercial seed suppliers, Phil? Best of luck. Trish

California. In the 1850s Eucalyptus trees were introduced to California by Australians travelling to California during the California Gold Rush. Much of California has a similar climate to parts of Australia. By the early 1900s thousands of acres of eucalypts were planted with the encouragement of the state government. It was hoped that they would provide a renewable source of timber for construction and furniture making. They went on to note that the promise of eucalyptus in California was based on the old virgin forests of Australia. This was a mistake as the young trees being harvested in California could not compare in quality to the centuries-old eucalyptus timber of Australia. It reacted differently to harvest. The older trees didn't split or warp as the infant California crop did. There was a vast difference between the two, and this would doom the California eucalyptus industry.[11] One way in which the eucalyptus, mainly the blue gum E. globulus, proved valuable in California was in providing windbreaks for highways, orange groves, and other farms in the mostly treeless central part of the state. They are also admired as shade and ornamental trees in many cities and gardens. Eucalyptus forests in California have been criticised because they compete with native plants and do not support native animals. Fire is also a problem. The 1991 Oakland Hills firestorm which destroyed almost 3,000 homes and killed 25 people was partly fueled by large numbers of eucalypts in the area close to the houses.[12] In some parts of California eucalypt forests are being removed and native trees and plants restored. Individuals have also illegally destroyed some trees and are suspected of introducing insect pests from Australia which attack the trees.[13]

Bonjour Phil I have read in my book "Growing Australian Native Plants from Seed", M Ralph.....that Cg is grown from fresh seed, germination may be variable. Seed is sown inclosed in the dry flower head. Place the stalk end down and lightly cover the seed for best results. Sow the seed dring the warmer months. Seedlings are prone to damping off. Also the time for collection is Jan, and Feb. So I will have a look then, as I collect seeds on a regular basis. If I manage to get some I will let you know, if you like. Not sure if they sell it in the shops. Nindethana is probably your best bet, or Harvest Seeds, try them. Can you buy Cg, where you are ? Its very Aussie isnt it? Au revoir