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Question
Hello Annette, I am including a photo of an insect that appears to be in large numbers buzzing around our fruit tree garden (lemon, orange, lime and avocado) which is mulched with lucerne hay. They are very busy in the air, but settle for a little while to feed from the flowering gum. Will they be a problem to the trees and young tomato plants growing nearby. Richard and Helen.

Hello Richard and Helen
How lucky are you. These are native bees! Not only are they stingless, but they are doing a great job pollinating your garden. All you need to do to keep them happy is to keep planting things that flower and avoid using chemical sprays.

Question
Can I use mature hardwood woodchip mulch ( from gum trees, it's been sitting in a pile for about 4 months ) as a mulch under my fruit trees - citrus, grumacharma, jaboticaba, pawpaw etc. If so should I add anything else at the same time?
Margaret - Sunshine Coast


Hello Margaret
Yes, you can use the wood chip. Add a couple of handfuls of granular for pelleted fertiliser to each wheelbarrow of wood chip as you spread it. Alternatively you could spread a handful per square metre to the soil prior to spreading the mulch. Be sure to spread the mulch over damp (not dry) gardens. Water the mulch well after spreading. Take care not to breath in any dust or spores associated with the mulch. I like to wet it down prior to spreading.

Question
Could you please tell me why some of my "Blue My Mind", have changed their leaf size to small and colour from a silver green to just green and now will not produce any flowers? Sheryl - location unknown

Hello Sheryl
Any chance this plant has been affected by spray drift from a turf weeder or similar? If so, there is nothing you can do, but dig out that section. It could also be severe mite damage (although I would expect all the plant to be affected). Cut the plant back and spray with a soap spray. Let me know how you get on.

Question
Can you give me any advice with how I would be able to strike a leopard tree from the seed pods? I have tried for a while, but with no success. I would be happy to buy an advanced tree, but am unable to find them. Could help with that as well please?
Marie of Brisbane


Leopard trees are rarely available in nurseries these days as many local authorities consider them overly large and a bit weedy for suburban planting. To successfully grow trees from seed you need to break open the hard outer seed coat. Place the small seeds in boiling water and soak overnight before planting. This will allow water to penetrate and speed germination.

Question
I have grown this eggplant from seed that I received at a seed saving workshop. I think the seeds were from Annette's garden. Are you able to identify the plant? Do I use the fruit as I would any other eggplant?
Cynthia of Brisbane


Congratulations on your success. This is a red eggplant. Use it in the same way as other eggplants. It is nice to mix in with purple eggplants just for the colour.

Here is the progress on germination of a polyembryonic mango. Individual seedlings (hard to see, but there are three) are starting to separate. One seedling is typically from cross pollination (not true to type). Other seedlings are vegetative clones that grow true to parent fruit. These clonal seedlings tend to be the most vigorous. If in doubt, pot them all as it is often easier to tell as the seedlings develop true leaves. Also, some varieties are notorious for producing dodgy offspring (like R2E2). You can always use spare seedlings for grafting practice. Why are commerical mango trees are grafted? For production uniformity and rootstock characteristics like disease resistance, soil-type adaptation, faster fruiting and dwarfing. Remember, a seed grown mango collected from a dwarf grafted mango tree will not produce a dwarf tree. The fruit will be the same, but grafting confers the dwarf habit. Seed grow trees take 5-7 year to fruit. Grafted trees can bear fruit in 3 years.

 

Question
Judy recently came to my 'New Year, New Garden' workshop at Sandgate Town Hall armed with a sample of this plant that had her and her garden club members perplexed. She left it with me to identify. Here is my reply.

Your seeds are from a Michelia probably a variety of Michelia champaca. I recall you said it had small, white scented flowers - so maybe Michelia champaca alba? Seeds must be fresh to germinate, but may not come true to type with regard to the variety/flower colour. Might be fun for your garden club members to try growing some.

Question
I’m trying to identify this tree. Can you help me?
Annette Brisbane


This is the New Zealand Christmas tree (Metrosideros excelsa). This tree would have started off as a variegated form (remnants of variegated foliage remain), but over the years, it has reverted back to the stronger growing, plain green form.

Question
My friend gave me this plant as a cutting and to my surprise, I managed to get it to grow (I am a novice gardener). It must be hardy. Can you please tell me what it is called?

This delightful plant is Dichondra Silver Falls. It is very popular and can be found in most nurseries. It is a terrific plant for hanging baskets on balconies and verandahs. Try combining mini petunias (Calibrachoa) and the stunning grey foliage of your dichondra in the one hanging basket.

Question
We have this plant in our garden and we are wondering what type is it as we want to know how to keep it a reasonable size.
Annemarie Brisbane

This is Polyscias fruticosa. I have several in my garden. It comes in lots of different leaf forms and is very hardy. I like to keep mine to under 2m by pruning. Just cut tall stems back to where you want it to branch. It is a perfectly well-behaved plant for gardens or pots.

Question
I planted a pot of lemon grass. It has grown really tall and is now producing seeds that are germinating everywhere. It looks nothing like lemon grass I have grown in the past. Are there different types? Where can I get the more manageable, non-seeding type that I prefer for cooking?

The lemon grass sold in pots in nurseries is typically East Indian lemon grass (Cympogonon flexuosus). It is often too large and weedy for small gardens. The lemon grass you buy is the smaller, non-seeding West Indian lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus). To grow this type, buy fresh stalks from the supermarket or fruiter and plant them.

Question
I have a rather weird looking avocado seedling. As you can see from the attached picture, one plant appears healthy green and the other is pale (almost translucent). We regularly eat avocado. I placed a couple of pips outside ... they began to sprout at the same time ... I put them into pots (with the same potting mix) at the same time - approx. two months ago. Is the "pale" seedling diseased? Should I destroy it, or let it grow and see what happens? Paul - location unknown

Hello Paul
Thank you for your question. Albino avocado seedlings are not uncommon. It is generally believed that this occurs when seeds germinate prior to the seed reaching a certain level of maturity. Where this is the case, the seedlings can develop normal green leaves with time.
If might be interesting for you to see if it does.

Question
I attended your Sandgate workshop on Sat and thank you for a great and informative morning. I have a hibiscus with red and cream leaves, but a lot of plain green leaves keep coming through. I have cut them out a few times but they persist. Judy of Brighton

Judy, your hibiscus was bred from a random variegated shoot on a normal green form, so it is natural that it wants to revert back to green. Pruning out the green as you have been doing is the only option. Just make sure when you prune that you take out the entire green shoot right back to the point that it originates deep within the plant.Cut flush with the stem so that there is no chance (no buds/stem) from which the plant can reshoot. If you just cut the green back it will keep reshooting as it is more vigorous than the variegated growth.

Question
Hi Annette, What is this bulb? Please identify. Thanks Roslyn  (Bulb and flower images provided).

Hello Roslyn. Your mystery bulb is Scadoxus multiflorus. It is a gorgeous thing and quite easy to grow. It will develop large green leaves over the summer/autumn. I have some growing quite happily in the garden without much care and attention. It prefers a little shade in the afternoon.

Question
I love the Thai Summer Salad recipe on your website, but have been trying to grow my own Vietnamese mint to use in it. What is the secret? I just cannot seem to get it to thrive.
Kaye of Townsville

The secret to growing any mint is water and a little bit of protection from the hot afternoon sun. Grow your Vietnamese mint (Persicaria odorata), in a self watering pot or preferrably in a pot plunged into a water feature so that the roots are fully submerged. All mint grows quickly, so you will need to divide the plant and repot it once or twice each year. I always keep at least two plants on the go at any one time, so that I always have plenty of Vietnamese mint on hand for our favourite summer watermelon salad.

Question
Thank you for the terrific Thai Pea Eggplant seeds you so generously gave away at the recent Green Heart Fair in Carindale. I dutifully planted them with love and care, and they have germinated. Horray!! Picture attached!!

I would now like to plant out into containers (on a balcony - NE facing, good sun). Information about growing Pea Eggplant in pots is somewhat scant on the internet... I have tried!! These are my questions.
(1) What pot size is appropriate? I like the 95c, 9L buckets from Bunnings after I drill 6 holes in the bottom. Would they be OK? One plant per pot?
(2) Also I like to plant a couple in smaller pots, so I can give away to friends for them to repot at their home. Do you think Pea Eggplant will still fruit OK after two re-pottings, from seedling pot, to 600ml pot, to something permanent?
(3) Most of the seeds I was able to plant separately, but in some cases there are 20-30 little plants clumped together. Do you have any recommendations for techniques to separate out the little seedlings?
Claire from Taringa

Well done on your germination of the Thai pea eggplants. Pea eggplants (like all eggplants) need as much sun as possible. One plant per 9L bucket should be fine. You have plenty to give away so pot them into small containers for friends. You could also do this with the ones you are keeping and gradually pot them up into the bucket-sized containers. Separate the clumped seedlings by washing the roots in some liquid seaweed (dilute according to directions). Overcrowded seedlings can be separated and successfully repotted when they soil is washed off. Fertilize your eggplants every week with liquid nutrients and be sure to add extra dry fertilizer to the potting mix.

 

Question
Can you eat the flowers on chives?
Judith of Toowoomba

Yes, you can eat the flowers of chives - although many people may think they look so lovely, it seems a shame to do so. The unopened flower buds can be added to a stir fry or used as a garnish. The individual flowers (separated from the globular flower head) are great as a garnish, added to dips and salads or cooked in an omelette or other egg dish.

Question
I'm trying to find the name of a shrub the height of a low picket fence which grows most happily in an open, protected sunny spot in New Farm and which seems to have an extended flowering season.
Denise of New Farm

This shrub is the mock gardenia or crepe jasmine (Tabernaemontana divaricata). It looks like a gardenia, but has no perfume. There are lots of different flower forms (single, double, ruffled blooms etc). This plant has recently been in the news in regard to its potential as a medicine for pain relief. See www.abc.net.au/news/2011-05-23/crepe-jasmine-tabernaemontana-divaricata/2727898

Question
This pretty little flower came up in my garden. I am sure I never planted it. Can you tell me what it is?
Edwina of Logan.

How wonderful! This is a native shepherd’s crook or pink nodding orchid (Geodorum densiflorum. It was once common in bushland, but is now rarely seen. It is a real treasure that remains dormant for much of the year and emerges to flower in summer.

Question
I have recently cut down a curry leaf tree as so many were popping up from the roots. Now it is removed and the stump ground, new trees continue to sprout from the extensive root system. Do you know how I can finally get rid of it? Digging out the roots is a full time, unending job.
Catherine, Brisbane


Suckers of curry trees (Murraya koenigii) will continue to sprout from stored nutrients in the roots. Control options include: digging out all roots; covering the area with builder’s plastic or tin in an attempt to exclude light; or pruning and immediately (within 10 seconds) dabbing the fresh cut with glyphosate herbicide. Always grow curry trees in pots.
 

Question
Back in January 2016, Roger from Ellanora wrote regarding the non-flowering of his seed grown poinciana (7-8 years old and 3.5m tall). I suggested that poinciana trees require 7-10 years to flower and that his patience would be rewarded eventually. In November 2016, Roger got back in touch with the news below.

Hi, Annette, earlier I sent you a photo of my Poinciana tree which I had grown from seed and asked you if it would flower?. As you can see by the photo after 8+ years it has finally come good. Thank you for your gardening tips in the Sunday Mail, please keep them coming.

Question
I would like Annette McFarlane to identify this tree which I have growing in my garden, if possible, please?
Keith of Carina

Your mystery plant is the Australian rainforest native known as the powder puff tree (Syzygium wilsonii). It prefers a shaded position, is very slow growing and has a natural weeping habit. It bears its stunning, signature crimson flowers massed with stamens during spring.

Silver Leaf Desmodium -  (Desmodium uncinatum)
Here is another introduced pasture legume that has become a weed problem in gardens and bushland areas. It grows incredibly quickly and flowers and seeds prolifically. You will see it covering the soil and growing up trees as a dense climber. The small, flat seeds stick to your socks and clothing. You really are best to remove it by hand. If you try to spray it with a herbicide like glyphosate, the vine will die, but the seeds will drop to the soil and before you know if you will have another crop to contend with. If you have grazing animals (sheep, goats, a cow), you could feed it to them as it is high in nitrogen. Avoid putting it in the compost as the seeds are problematic, but you can soak it in water and use the nutrient enriched liquid as a liquid fertiliser.

Question
From the attached photo’s, can you advise what it is that I have in my ‘blue couch lawn’? How can I remove this ‘weed’? It has many deep roots into the ground which would take considerable time to remove. If there is a chemical spray that is safe to use around bird life as I do feed wild birds daily.
Bill of Coopers Plains

Creeping Indigo - Indigofera spicata. This legume weed was introduced for agricultural use. It fixes nitrogen in association with common soil bacteria. It has a long tap root, spreads like a mat, and is a prolific seed producer. It is a common weeds of lawns. Common lawn chemicals are registered for the control of this weed (MCPA/Dicamba), but I prefer to dig it out so that you remove all the seed pods at the same time. If you cannot dig out the root, lift the mat of foliage and cut it off at ground level. Place a teaspoon of any granular fertiliser directly on the cut section of the remaining root (without watering in). The weed will be burnt out completely in a day or two, after which any remaining fertiliser can be watered into the lawn/garden.

Question
My daughter and family have just returned from a trip to Israel to visit family there and are raving about the pummelo fruit they had whilst there. They would like to try and grow one. Can you tell me where we could buy a tree suitable to plant here?
Wilf Sunshine Coast


Pummelo (Citrus maxima) are also known as pomello or pamplemousse and grow well in SE Queensland. They are not popular as a home garden tree and this limits their supply. Ask your local nursery to order a grafted tree for you. Pummelo varieties include Bosworth Pink, Bosworth Red, Carter’s Red, Nam Roi and Tahiti.

Question
Our neighbours' shed is literally covered in cats claw creeper. They love it - and it looks stunning when it is in bloom - but do you have any suggestions on how I can stop the seeds from blowing into our 16 perches and taking root?

What a nightmare! Perhaps you can encourage your neighbour's to reconsider and remove the invasive environmental weed. Unfortunately, only complete removal will prevent seeding. The extensive system of underground tubers must be physically removed and regrowth continually removed. Check out government recommended control options at: https://www.daf.qld.gov.au
 

Question
I saw these croc egg plums at Woolworths recently. I grow tropical plums at home (Gulf Ruby and Gulf Gold), so wondered if I could possibly grow these as well.
Michael of Tamborine

Croc eggs are another wonderful product from our Australian stone fruit growers. Developing new varieties like this takes significant amounts of time, research and money, so typically plants of such patented varieties are not available for gardeners to grow at home.

Question
I bought these fabulous little avocado fruit from my local fruit shop. They have virtually no seed and are the perfect size for a single serve. Can you tell me what variety they are and if they will grow in Brisbane?
Meredith of Warner


These are commonly known as cocktails or cukes. Rather than being a variety, they occur spontaneously when temperatures at flowering and fruit set are extremely cold or abnormally hot. The Fuerte variety is particularly susceptible to temperature extremes and most commonly forms cukes, but it can occur on other varieties.

Question
Can you please identify the actual name of the dragon tree that sits at the front of my property. What is the pineapple looking object that has sprouted and sits proudly overhanging the grass public pathway? Is it a fruit if some sort?
Barry of Rothwell


What you call a dragon tree is actually a native pandanus or screw pine (most likely Pandanus tectorius). The pineapple-like structure is a fruit, but I would not recommend trying to eat it. If you are concerned about the danger to people using the grass pathway, the fruit should be removed.

Question
This plant has appeared in my garden. It is a climber with maroon flowers. Can you tell me what it is? I am a bit worried as it seems quite vigorous, but I do like the flower colour. Is it a keeper?
Andrea, Samford


This creeping vine is siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum). It is an exotic, climbing legume planted for farm grazing. Regrettably, it has escaped to bushland and gardens. It is very vigorous and known to completely engulf shrubs and trees. Remove it before it forms long narrow seed pods.

Question
I bought these grapes recently. They are sweet, seedless and so unusual – long, black and as thick as your thumb. Can you tell me anything about them?
Grace of Kedron


You mystery grapes are Sweet Sapphire, an American variety bred by renowned Californian table grape breeder, David Cane. They are grown by grape producers in several Australian states including Queensland, but are only available for a very short season early in the year. They are in high demand for export to Asia.

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