Australian Plants Society Victoria Open Forum Google Group

Maurits, please introduce yourself

2009-11-20T22:32:33Z

Hi Maurits - thanks for posting the photographs. Please tell us about
yourself. Are you growing these Australian plants in the Netherlands?

By the way, the Phormium is not actually Australian, it's from New
Zealand.

Best wishes and happy gardening
Elaine

Re: Orchid ID

2009-09-02T11:45:25Z

Ahh fantastic, it always nice to put a name to a flower :)

Cheers Cathy,

Orchid ID

2009-09-01T11:50:22Z

Hello Vinny
The orchid image you have posted looks like Cyanicula caerulea (common name - Blue Fingers).
If you are interested in orchid ID, I can offer some insight by referring you to my website which is located at [link]
Cathy

Re: Purple orchid I.D?

2009-08-31T23:08:11Z

Could be Black Tongue Caladenia "Stegostyla congesta" whice is found
in eastern Vic and other areas.
Regards.

Purple orchid I.D?

2009-08-31T10:01:13Z

Went for a wander through some bushland near Bendigo and noticed lots
fo things are starting to flower :).
Observed heaps of Ptereostylis and Diuris pardina orchids aswell as a
few Acacia's (gunnii, acinacea, williamsoni, pyncantha & hakiodes) and
pea a flower (Davesia ulicifolia).
But I came across one orchid in particular I couldn't put a name to, I

Re: Ash, what plant are your beautiful photos?

2009-08-27T23:42:27Z

Thanks, Lucky. I've renamed the files, but should they remain on the
website?
Best wishes, Elaine

Re: Ash, what plant are your beautiful photos?

2009-08-22T09:33:33Z

These photos are of a South American plant called Calliandra
haematocephala common name Red Powder Puff, it's in the mimoaceae
family but is not an Australian native. I have seen it grown in parks
in the warmer parts of Australia north of Brisbane.
Phil.

Ash, what plant are your beautiful photos?

2009-07-09T00:39:47Z

Ash, you have posted three photographs of a fluffy red flower on a
plant with pinnate leaves. What is the plant? If you can, please
change the file name to the plant name, or can you tell other members
what it is and we can change the file name for you?
Thanks, Elaine

Re: Eucalypt hybrids

2009-05-26T09:08:46Z

I don't think it is that unusual. In Melton South you often see
variations of the different boxes (yellow, blue, grey) that are
present in the same vicinity.

Eucalypt hybrids

2009-05-25T22:38:56Z

Walking through some forest not far out of Wallan not long ago I come
across a Eucalypt I couldn't put a name on, E. rubida and E. obliqua
were both present in the area and the unknown Eucalypt seemed to
possess traits of both.
Is anyone familiar with such a Eucalypt hybrid? Any information about

Re: Bio-diesel producing plants/seeds.

2009-05-13T01:16:02Z

Dear Shali

I don't know if anyone has replied off-list.

The best sources of information are probably the Department of Primary
Industries and the Department of Agriculture. CSIRO might also have
done some work on oilseed crops.

The Australian Plants Society is more concerned with promoting the

Brachychiton populneus

2009-05-07T00:40:06Z

Does anyone know a source of tubestock of Brachychiton populneus in
the general vicinity of Bunyip?

Re: Green Roofs Plants

2009-05-03T14:08:02Z

Dear friends, thanks so much for your answers! :)

Bio-diesel producing plants/seeds.

2009-05-01T05:52:04Z

Goodafternoon,

I am looking for plants/seeds which will be easy to grow in Victoria
climate mainly in barren lands without disturbing the fertile land
(used for food consumption). Some examples i know of are rapeseeds,
castor seeds, jathropa plant, mainly oil producing plants/seeds but
want to know if they can be grown here in Victoria? Is there any

Re: Green Roofs Plants

2009-04-23T00:55:02Z

Need to replace the concrete with some top soil. But since the top
soil is from around the corner I hope it should be al right.

Re: Green Roofs Plants

2009-04-22T23:41:55Z

All these grasses are native to the Melbourne area and hence suitable
for the soils found there.

Re: Green Roofs Plants

2009-04-22T12:51:51Z

in other words I could use them to replace my concrete front/back
yard? What kind of soil do they need?

Re: Green Roofs Plants

2009-04-22T12:26:49Z

Recently a native grasses expert from the Victorian Department of
Sustainability and Environment recommended the following native
grasses for a lawn in the Melbourne area:
• Weeping Grass (short, spreading form only)
• Slender Wallaby-grass
• Kneed Wallaby-grass

To a lesser extent most other Wallaby-grasses can also be used for

Re: Green Roofs Plants

2009-04-22T12:11:40Z

or check forums.envirotalk.com.au
maybe they can help you

Re: Green Roofs Plants

2009-04-22T10:38:06Z

You might consider looking through the Flora of Melbourne or some of
the small salt bushes such as Atriplex semibaccata, Einadia nutans,
and Enchylaena tomentosa all have colourful red berries and are
extremely tough also some of the lilies may survive as they have a
tuber that can store food during summer and then reappear after Autumn

Re: Green Roofs Plants

2009-04-22T00:41:42Z

suppose best would be a plant nursery that deals with native plants.
Another thing you need: the plants should develop a "carpet" of roots
in order to retain the soil on your roof. But you don't want something
like buffalo grass that sends killer roots and finds every crack.

Re: Green Roofs Plants

2009-04-21T22:30:01Z

Fluctuations of temperature, intense heat and possible periods of
drought, sounds like some desert plant might be worth checking out
to,they'll prolly grow quicker then alpines to; although i couldn't
suggest any species.

Re: Green Roofs Plants

2009-04-21T08:32:58Z

good question, I wish I had the answer myself.

Indeed, some alpine plants should do the trick, merely any plant that
survives on a few cm of soil and harsh conditions as not much rain at
times.

At the end, good old selection will do its job and some plants stay,
the other ones disappear.

Green Roofs Plants

2009-04-21T04:01:05Z

Dear friends,

I wish to experiment with green roofs and I wish to know if you can
suggest me Victorian native plants like grasses, tussocks, prostrate,
groundcovers, alpines, succulents, small shrubs, etc. that would
easily grow in 5cm/10cm (max 15cm) of media and that could withstand
period of dryness.

Re: edible mushrooms

2009-04-12T15:16:46Z

I put a link in, question should rather be could someone identify this
funghi/mushoom. Grows in my backyard, don't know if it feeds on an old
tree or on soil.
here is the link again:
[link]

Thanks,

Steffen

edible mushrooms

2009-04-12T12:05:11Z

I quote from the publication Fungi Downunder
" While it is commonly believed that anything called a 'mushroom' is edible, and a 'toadstool' poisonous, this is a fallacy. . . . Importantly, it should be noted that fruit-bodies of many species are indeed poisonous, and there is no general rule for determining edibility or otherwise. Unless you have reliable advice . . ., it is best not to sample any unknown specimen, regardless of what it is called.

Are these mushrooms edible?

2009-04-12T03:11:48Z

Hi there,

are these mushrooms edible? Are in my backyard. Smell nice. Its just,
if they were edible they would taste better than bought ones.

[link]

Cheers,

Steffen

Re: Acacia Chinchillensis

2009-04-04T04:09:23Z

Sorry, I've taken a while to reply because of computer problems. I
bought my Acacia chinchillensis at a Yarra Yarra plant sale, so I've
emailed the grower to ask if he'll have more at the May sale. (3 May,
in Eltham - see calendar for details)
Best wishes, Elaine

Re: Acacia Chinchillensis

2009-04-04T01:27:08Z

I would suggest contacting the leader of the Acacia Study Group, Esther Brueggemeier. She may be able to assist you in locating this Acacia species.
See Details below:
Esther Brueggemeier
Wild about Wattle

m: 0411 148 874
Visit the Wattle Display Garden by Appointment Only

Acacia Chinchillensis

2009-04-03T23:32:00Z

I live in Melbourne and am wanting to buy a specimen of Acacia
Chinchillensis. Can anyone tell me where/how I can purchase this?

Re: Doryanthes Palmeri

2009-03-21T22:46:06Z

Dear Dave

I've never grown Doryanthes, but someone posted a query in Feb 2008
about D. excelsa flowering in Melbourne and received a reply. Perhaps
you could look back at the old message and it might help?

Congrats on the flower!
Elaine

Re: low light loving plant?

2009-03-13T07:36:58Z

How would Melbourne temperatures treat these cycads? Also do you have
any approximate for how much they might cost?

cheers,

Re: wildflowers in meredith, vic

2009-03-12T10:09:32Z

Hi again, in my previous post when I refer to Melbourne's flora as
being suitable I am referring to those found on the basalt plain hence
the reference to resources from the western areas of Melbourne. I did
intend to include those from the sandbelt areas and eastern suburbs.
When I refer to "Western Plains" talking about nurseries, I meant to

Re: wildflowers in meredith, vic

2009-03-12T09:00:45Z

Hi Amy, Meredith is basically in the middle of the basalt plains which
stretches from Melbourne's North Eastern suburbs down to Nelson. The
basalt plains supported predominantly grasslands but habitats also
include woody grasslands, grassy woodlands and obviously riparian
where the rivers/waterways are found. So resources based around

Re: low light loving plant?

2009-03-12T03:55:30Z

You have a very challenging situation to grow indoor plants but you
could try one of the Australian cycads, Lepidozamia peroffskyana and
any of the Cordylines in that situation. A scrambling vine, Eustrephus
latifolius (Wombat Berry), might succeed and grow towards the sky
light if given some support. If all else fails, two non-natives that

Re: wildflowers in meredith, vic

2009-03-12T01:08:44Z

Dear Amy

The Melton-Bacchus Marsh group should be able to help you if you
follow the links to the district group. Maybe they don't have anyone
monitoring the Open Forum. There's also a CSIRO publication on
wildflowers of the Brisbane Ranges that might be relevant.

Good luck, Elaine

wildflowers in meredith, vic

2009-03-08T19:34:20Z

Hi flower people! Can anyone tell me what sort of wildflowers grow
around meredith in victoria? Thanks!

low light loving plant?

2009-03-06T00:06:43Z

hi guys,

Got a room which only has a small sky light as a source of light, on a
bright day the room receives plenty of light but on a cloudy day
(nearly always in Melbourne :) ) it can be quite dark.
Does anyone know of anything that might still grow well under these
conditions?

cheers,

Doryanthes Palmeri

2009-03-04T09:57:51Z

Please excuse my ignorance, but I'm new to this forum and I was hoping
that someone may be able to help me with my Doryanthes palmeri. I have
two plants the smaller one has developed a flower spike just prior to
Christmas. The spike is now about two metres.
Is this common for Melbourne? How long before the flower head blooms?

Re: A book on the native plants of hawthorn/melbourne

2009-03-01T22:04:54Z

Native trees and shrubs of south eastern Australia by Leon Costerman,
while not specific to the area has a great range of pictures of native
sp., can pick it up from a decent book store for 40$.

Re: Lilly Pilly burnt leaves and branches

2009-02-22T02:00:04Z

Once the cooler weather starts, I would be trying one of the liquid
seaweed products to see if that helps. I have had good results with
kickstarting many ailing native plants. And yes, don't prune till the
cooler weather either.

Re: Suburban climbing tree

2009-02-22T01:55:07Z

Thankyou for those suggestions......I will have a closer look at them.
I've also wondered about some Acacias, Callistemons or Melaleucas if
they can be encouraged to branch low down. Any suggestions amongst
those?

Re: Suburban climbing tree

2009-02-17T01:56:02Z

A couple more suggestions for trees that meet your requirements for a
tree for children to climb are: Eucalyptus cladocalyx "nana" (Dwarf
Sugar Gum) and Corymbia ficifolia.
Acacia cognata (the tree form) is fast growing and although not
suitable for climbing itself, would make a lovely shady place for

2009-02-15T09:14:21Z

OMG thank you so very much, I am in Hervey Bay, Queensland so that's why I guess I can grow this one it's definitely G. agrifolia subsp microcarpa as soon as I saw the name bells went ding! ding! ding!
You have been most helpful, thanks again. They are two that have been bothering me for a while now and even some of the local growers haven't been any help. I generally keep tags and put names to photos I take to help myself remember, but that one had me stumped.

Re: lady O

2009-02-15T08:48:52Z

Wickhamii is frost tender and is extremely difficult to grow in
Melbourne without the aid of a glasshouss or similar protection. There
are a few Grevilleas with holy type leaves and one similar to
Wickhamii is agrifolia, which is also difficult to grow in Melbourne.
It has pale green, cream turning to white flower. If you post a few

re: lady O

2009-02-15T03:57:28Z

Thank you very much, I have one at home and it's something I've been trying to figure out for a while. Billy Bonkers is a neat little bush too. Can you recomend somewhere I can get a Grevillea identified, is it possible to post a photo here maybe?
It has leaf similar to G. wickhamii but creamy white spider flowers. It's a grafted specimen I picked up somewhere but I've misplaced the name along the way. The leaves are actually more like a holly leaf and just as spikey.

Re: Naming of Grevillea 'Lady O'

2009-02-15T03:26:58Z

Grevillea "Lady O" was named after the mother of the breeder, Peter
Ollerenshaw from Bywong NSW. His mother was called Lady O by friends
and when she died, Peter placed flowers from this Grevillea on her
coffin. Someone suggested to him that he name it after her, so he
did. Did you know that Grevillea "Billy Bonkers" was named after the

Re Grevillea Lady O

2009-02-14T09:54:02Z

The following was found on the internet
Hybrid (G. rhyolitica X G. victoriae ). Small shrub: 1.5m high x 2m wide. Masses of red flowers for most of the year. Frost Hardy
at this site
[link]
Cathy

Re: Suburban climbing tree

2009-02-14T03:32:00Z

Unfortunately fast growing and good for children to climb don't match
up very well as good climbing trees are usually old with branches that
have grown strong as their diameters have increased. Fast growing
trees tend to shoot up like telephone polls. I had a look around Royal
Park this morning to see if I could spot a youngish tree of a species

Re: lilly pilly has leaf gall

2009-02-14T01:26:57Z

I'd say it's Psyllids, very similar to scale. They burrow in under the
leaf causing the blistering. White oil will have effect but a systemic
pesticide would be needed for best results.