Heretic

I use sea sol and power feed as per instructions for use - they seem to be dead ; the main stems are brown decaying sticks on a couple atm . I am leaving them to see if the re-grow , but not hopeful . Why would happy plants die off ? [ I just can't seem to get it right for psychotrias ... ] Nematodes ? Had'nt thought of that , or root mealies either . I think marigolds are said to be helpful for nematodes [ ? ] - will try companion planting . Very reluctant to use poisons on the plants or in the soil .

I guess I have been lucky when it comes to growing plants , but there is one genus that seems to hate me - psychotias . I can't germinate them , despite years of trying , nor can I grow them from small plants . They do well for a while , some reaching 1/2 - 1 metre . Then begin dying form the bottom up . I try everything : more water / less water ; sun / less sun to full shade ; [ organic ] fert / no feeding ; trace minerals / no minerals ; dolomite / no dolomite ; pest control [ org ] / no pest control ; etc , etc . I have worked in a few nurseries over the years , and have no trouble growing anything else - I am quite proud of the rest of my garden ; everything else is thriving . But alas , again the psychotrias are losing leaves from the bottom up - if my past attempts are anything to go by , these ones are also doomed . ... I have to concede defeat and give up on the genus .... I am seriously considering the notion of plants as " allies " ; or at least some plants having an affinity for some folk , and not others . Pity really , because I like them ...

Some types do better than others . Looks like over watering , but is not . Or maybe fungal - tried wettable sulphur fungicide , without success ; but reluctant to resort to sistemics ...

They begin to drop leaves from the bottom up , then die off . It kind of looks like over watering [ but is not ] ; or a fungal disease - but wettable sulphur fungicide did'nt help . Reluctant to resort to sistemics , however ... [ a couple of varieties are doing okay , or better than others ]

These RCs don't even have the chemical name on the label ??? How can the user know what they are taking ?

yes , reptyle , consulting professionals is an excellent idea .

I am starting to re-assess my beliefs about the harmlessness of psychedelics . Check out Alchemica's thread in Chill Space : " Recreational use of naturally occurring DMT contributing to psychosis ? "..... Nevertheless , whatever I would personally do myself , I would never advocate that others do likewise . I think you should give it a break for a while ....

There are those who would disagree , which of course , is their right ; and most certainly not in ignorance .

must be difficult - but clearly , not impossible to grow in adverse climates . Well done , MP

Sorry I can't help at all with info ... At a previous home long ago I sowed a variety [ I . Tricolour ? ] that grew flowers of 3 vivid colours - red , white , and purple . I can't recall if the different coloured flowers were on the same vines or not , but they looked great cascading down from a dead tree . I think they were a Yates variety . Looked for them often since , but suspect they're no longer available . A shame , because I really liked them . I think the sweet spud types are really important - they may become a " survival food " one day .....

As above.

Once I was amazed at how birds could eat so many fierce chillies . Still don't understand it . Like one little Thai chilli was plenty for me , but some birds could scoff them all day ....

I grow in pots atm , because I don't plan on staying here . Not growing them to consume , [ not the primary reason , anyway ] , and everything else does well ... The only thing I can think of is they don't like the mix . I get it from the local nursery , who make their own . I'm sus of the pine bark in it - they use a lot . I just can't get the conditions right for the genus , it seems . But truthfully , I have no idea why they fail....

[ subs ?? ]... Many happy returns !!

I have seen many good alternatives above : a camper van to tour Oz - lots of jobs out there ; and Frog's NZ suggestion also - I've always wanted to go to NZ myself . I have heard of mega bucks earned in Kalimantan and Brunei , but that was long ago . Don't know the situation nowadays . Also , I have worked at a couple of Oz mines - the wives were also working out there . Those people must have been saving heaps - many were intending to stay on until they could by a house outright , without finance .

As above , a crazy place . Got malaria [ major bummer ; suspect Sepik ] despite precautions taken .

Curiously , the people that want to ban such things are those who would never use it themselves , and have no actual comprehension of the experience whatsoever .

also , might it be possible that tuna and other species are affected by oocurrances further down the food chain , such as the horrific super trawler that was recently prevented raping the local area ?

like they say - learn something new each day . This is an important issue , thanks for the info . I would rather pay a little more than decimate a species .

Your work is just so beautiful . I think you may be right in not letting it become a job , for then it might become a chore . Having said that , clearly you are gifted , and could make a living from it should you choose . I just love what you're doing - art from stone .

some of the entries are very old , but there are many updates . I reckon it is brilliant - I had no idea there is many species of significance and / or interest in my locality .

This will probably be old news to most here - [ but I did not know about it ] . I have stumbled across a very interesting and helpful site , called " Atlas of Living Australia " . It lists the locations of native and non - native plants and animals occurring throughout Australia . It can be found at : biocache.ala.org.au.

Best wishes - hoping you have many , many more .

This vine occurs in Australia - in Nth Qld . Some botanical authors believe that it is native , but the majority think it is a garden escapee . Whatever , it is a very impressive vine , esp abundant around Cooktown . Unfortunately [ ? ] , it is rampant in the rainforests , and if indeed it is a weed , it is a serious problem . Which , of course , as an example of plants escaping from cultivation , indicates we must be cautious when cultivating plants in environments similar to their origin .

Not all cops are mongrels - I know a guy in search and rescue . And long ago a highway patrolman in Coff's would cruise and town on Xmas day , and invite " orphans " to his home for Xmas lunch with his family . Having said that , I have also encountered some real mongrels in my time - I fail to understand why some believe they can steal or do what they like to " crims " , or those despicable weed smokers and other folk they may have some evidence against .