New Psychotria hybrids
Last summer I had the chance to cross pollinate some different Psychotria viridis varieties with our Nexus hybrid. Several of them took and the fruit…
Further Adventures with Takeaway Tek
It can't be denied that the Takeaway Tek is an easy way to get cacti seeds started! Not only is it a reliable method, given the…
Chilli breeding for subtropical Australia
I love jalapeño chillies, they are probably my favourite all rounder in the kitchen. I used to pickle them, make smoked jalapeños (chipotle) and use…
Growing Trachymene incisa (Native Parsnip)
Trachymene incisa is one of those rarer bushfoods; one that has a pretty agreeable flavour and would actually require only a short domestication for it…
Sersalisia sericea – Australian Bushfood
Sersalisia sericea (syn. Pouteria sericea) the Native Prune or an Aboriginal word for the fruit, Mongo, is a small tree or shrub native to northern…
Peganum harmala (Syrian Rue) seed germination
I've covered this topic before here, halopriming is basically soaking seeds overnight in a salty solution, whether that be calcium chloride, potassium nitrate or common sea…
Banisteriopsis caapi – cover ya fence
A great way to screen out neighbours and prying eyes is to use Banisteriopsis caapi as an effective visual barrier on fences and even gates…
New Psychotria hybrid 2015
In our quest to increase the number of cultivars of Psychotria viridis we've been conducting some controlled cross pollinations; several worked successfully including the one…
Seed Dormancy and Germination
This is just a general guide to troubleshooting dormancy problems that may arise when you are trying to germinate seeds of varied species. Give Me…
Takeaway Tek (how to germinate cacti seeds)
The results of this adapted technique speak for themselves; this is a great way to start seeds of Trichocereus and one would assume all cacti…
Tabernanthe iboga seed germination
I recently acquired seeds of Tabernanthe iboga directly from Africa, of the long fruited variety, what they call in the region 'male' iboga. The round…
Acacia phlebophylla in habitat
Below are some photos of Acacia phlebophylla in habitat, photos taken by myself in late spring 2009. Above: Healthy new growth. Above: fading light on…