tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48518539197147967922024-03-05T19:50:04.792-08:00robble at zipAnything to do with plants and horticulturerobblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-18030370052731847722012-08-20T01:58:00.000-07:002012-08-20T01:58:31.473-07:00Jocelyn's fantastic Cacti and Succulent Collection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today, Ian McMaugh and I visited Jocelyn, in Darkes Forest. She has a stunning collection of cacti and succulents, and a very cute kitty called Pol. It was a beautiful spring day, perfect for a drive in the country. We both bought about a dozen plants and stopped on the way home for a tops bacon and egg roll.robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-36469745717168421852012-08-17T23:23:00.002-07:002012-08-17T23:23:54.825-07:0018th August, Sydney Botanical Gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today a friend and I went to the Botanical Gardens. It was a great time to see a lot of Aloes in flower in the Cacti and Succulent section of the garden. The other FANTASTIC thing was that all of the flying foxes have been driven out. Im looking forward to the recovery of a lot of trees that have suffered from the Flying Fox occupation<br />
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<br />robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-75872934340618056212012-05-04T22:09:00.000-07:002012-05-04T22:11:36.182-07:00Bromeliad Society Show Today Don and I went to The Bromeliad Society of NSW Autumn Show. Its always really crowded with fellow enthusiasts trying to pick up a bargain. On one side of the room are the floral arrangements and prizewinning plants. On the other side of the room are all of the bromeliads and Tillandsias for sale. They really should think about re arranging the layout because you spend a lot of time politely elbowing people out of the way so you can get your mitts on your dream plant!<br />
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I bought some Tillandsias to hang in the skylight of my bathroom, plus a beautiful <i>Neoregelia pendula hybrid. </i>I like the idea of buying plants for my balcony that don't weigh much. The ones I bought today are all epiphytic and don't require potting.<br />
However, I did pick up a flyer for The Cacti and Succulent Society Autumn Show which is on next Saturday. Im sure to be tempted to buy something!<br />
<br />robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-60075946635472513722012-04-14T19:30:00.001-07:002012-04-14T19:30:05.046-07:00Hoya Australis<br />
Last weekend at the Sydney Botanical Gardens , I spotted this <i>Hoya australis </i>in flower. From the family ASCLEPIADACEAE, it is found in dry rainforest in sub coastal ranges, coastal bluffs and littoral rainforest from near Cooktown in Northeast Queensland to near Grafton in Northeast NSW. Collected by Banks and Solander at Endeavour River<br />
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This succulent is flowering profusely at the moment. I was trying to look up some info on its origins, and lots of sites described the flowers as "unremarkable"! Its originally from South Africa and seems to thrive on neglect. I have grown from one little cutting that I got from a friend a couple of years ago.robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-21523708741499305452012-04-07T00:13:00.000-07:002012-04-07T00:13:27.528-07:00Autumn 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlUa2spyuNDwNEdI30-mCV7cr4eyC3dJ7YQbeVx7Rh43YTVDb7vOKDiFTV3oqxnNTWenF7ooIdUx66U2wpxNTc0K869qOr92zkll0wYA96yFwv4evrZJcwXnJmmMXvbBw4gXOYRIwF_TY/s1600/IMG_1700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlUa2spyuNDwNEdI30-mCV7cr4eyC3dJ7YQbeVx7Rh43YTVDb7vOKDiFTV3oqxnNTWenF7ooIdUx66U2wpxNTc0K869qOr92zkll0wYA96yFwv4evrZJcwXnJmmMXvbBw4gXOYRIwF_TY/s400/IMG_1700.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9olIgt5zl3qpO3qTtYHNZ66nCy-zLOTE6UopR6mYI-VF6ViUxncR3atdl3WklTYLSuWAdOCF8Ux0oJk__hhNlmXZIhNT35gNX1F27m5UmAZkwQSymfd80UOhhg3pylaAcz4yPdEt-p38/s1600/IMG_1708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9olIgt5zl3qpO3qTtYHNZ66nCy-zLOTE6UopR6mYI-VF6ViUxncR3atdl3WklTYLSuWAdOCF8Ux0oJk__hhNlmXZIhNT35gNX1F27m5UmAZkwQSymfd80UOhhg3pylaAcz4yPdEt-p38/s400/IMG_1708.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Its been about 2 years since my last post on Blogspot. Of course there are a lot more plants on my Balcony. Ive tried to avoid getting too many more heavy plants and I've been experimenting with tying Bromeliads onto my brush fence. They aren't heavy and most don't need soil. The top photo is a climbing frangipani, which has really taken off. Unfortunately its deciduousrobblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-76724796650806245552012-04-06T23:42:00.000-07:002012-04-06T23:42:46.053-07:00Im coming back to bloggerToday is April 7th, 2012. I have had a blog on Tumblr which has been languishing . I just had a look at this blog and decided that it looked pretty good, so Im coming back to blogger. So to all of my millions of followers - lookout!<br />
x<br />
Robblerobblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-78648928310818465682010-02-22T13:32:00.000-08:002010-02-22T13:32:47.198-08:00I'm moving to Tumblr.com 23rd February, 2010Hi there,<br />
Im moving to tumblr.com. Please follow me <a href="http://robbleatzip.tumblr.com/">here</a> as I wont be doing any more posts on blogspot.<br />
robbleatzip.tumblr.com<br />
Thanks for your continued support,<br />
regards<br />
robble at ziprobblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-78208866014110278032010-02-17T14:27:00.001-08:002010-02-17T14:27:09.171-08:00Warrigal Greens<p>Lately I have been walking around the cliffs between Coogee and Clovelly . I noticed a common ground cover that  I couldn’t identify at first. It’s <em>Tetragonia tetragoniodes, </em>common name Warrigal Greens. It grows in moist areas close to the coast and estuaries. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3xtJyAzKlI/AAAAAAAABOI/r3PqsLt-PTA/s1600-h/warrigal4.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="warrigal" border="0" alt="warrigal" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3xtLO64mvI/AAAAAAAABOM/MzKSPZR5sU4/warrigal_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> The leaves of this plant are edible and were eaten by Aboriginals and early settlers. It needs to be boiled before eating to reduce the oxalate, which is poisonous.</p> <p>“ The leaves are edible although bitter unless cooked. Captain Cook served them boiled daily to his crew and Joseph Banks thought they “eat as well, or very nearly as well, as Spinach”. Nowadays they are mainly enjoyed by native rats and other herbivores “– from Field Guide to The Native Plants of Sydney by Les Robinson</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3xtL0-IqqI/AAAAAAAABOQ/WZsXtHapbQE/s1600-h/JosephBanks4.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Joseph Banks" border="0" alt="Joseph Banks" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3xtNAGZp3I/AAAAAAAABOU/mDkYuW0zb1k/JosephBanks_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="484" /></a>                                                                                 Joseph Banks – Botanist and Explorer</p> <p>What a fall from grace this vegetable has had! It sustained the early settlers and is now mostly enjoyed by rats. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3xtN4dYP2I/AAAAAAAABOc/xgw6JdnsLA4/s1600-h/warrigal%20greens%20002%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="warrigal greens 002" border="0" alt="warrigal greens 002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3xtO49V5iI/AAAAAAAABOg/FjBKRnUIBn8/warrigal%20greens%20002_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p> robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-5818808448117098742010-02-17T02:14:00.001-08:002010-02-17T02:32:59.251-08:00On my bookshelf…………………..<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3vBJKVq6DI/AAAAAAAABKE/m-PAsFpOlJ8/s1600-h/IMG_0001%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_0001" border="0" alt="IMG_0001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3vBLVchQUI/AAAAAAAABKI/CJD4uBSwSEA/IMG_0001_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="484" /></a> I’ve recently started studying  Horticulture Certificate 4 by correspondence. This has led me to search through a lot of gardening books on my shelves. I found this gem of a book. It was given to me by a work colleague and I’d forgotten how great the illustrations are.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-sHvhW_IH1Ckzn-RA_gOWm9OGOJ7zYXiTraShm8BUU62x6iEwUpecxi6iGudl_x5rjrWEsi_cwN6e0UZTrKRCKURA-fLdzydcizVybO16ukYAFKOyPuqIEB_On-mNH4BzzYC4magDuUI/s1600-h/IMG_0002%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_0002" border="0" alt="IMG_0002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3vBSFL2QXI/AAAAAAAABKQ/u3v6jutMgjs/IMG_0002_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="316" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3vFz53OLrI/AAAAAAAABKk/CCxpyO26D_Y/s1600-h/IMG_0007%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0007" border="0" alt="IMG_0007" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0RDKhgRoeIkhpW1ItgRJA9X2dIcCZ4iJNAnye8CDVfWOHaPYfkF6nwqY8RsXmLWb48Kfixw6l5cTn6f1qrgXPpRDXss2NSe3hgUiM6LDriZDOnrAxZgX5j1heBR7b35iHvjZ1lOaaYON/?imgmax=800" width="353" height="484" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKKXFnMCetrkA8ZqZ3ISyY1GSShDEmh8m_TZhu-UhQ5VkfA57XidK-oADTJvOWg4RLftMGu_3d3IUmqVrzal_v65h0SDq6-wQoXibIIwtdnhjHp43NZqqTX0bjOh6i0__g0VoP4Zdn4VO/s1600-h/IMG_0006%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0006" border="0" alt="IMG_0006" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8tYhiUZXWbfAvJfiDHIJ8ht1rYdK3iPkdruzOg5xrf1mOn1W9n-aenPL2JPR-ebsROqwp-79p1SY9d3Y9Cs-RYX5Ily9__mS_mefo8TDNoFLCZgccRd8AGSlJyQFjEXURo1Cb-l9Xhv_/?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484" /></a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p> It was published in 1953. I’ve found a few old newspaper clippings between the pages. “Gardening Without Tears, by Reg Edwards” and a recipe for prawn cocktails. I particularly love the 1950’s colour in the plates.</p> robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-11587648462278502472010-02-12T23:47:00.001-08:002010-02-17T02:37:02.797-08:00St Andrews Cross Spiders<p>The rain is still bucketing down here in Sydney. For me (and many others) its a welcome change. All of my pots are soaked and I have been moving some of cacti and succulents undercover to stop them from rotting out. Ive noticed some new insect arrivals: St Andrews Cross Spiders<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIES1_r4-NRqgz2XSR1udzBi3sVdsqab08aSyVaer2s3PCdpPF6c7sea5VrRev3P1Z8GntgVRHIngFHQ19jDbRJ2iElRx5-jsUI7IWFAakMic36nHqTrHHtVcM_K1UGhLxPfp5kKAtHrbj/s1600-h/spider%20009%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="spider 009" border="0" alt="spider 009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3ZY7Yd4NuI/AAAAAAAABJ4/7aSBYriKA9E/spider%20009_thumb%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="484" /></a> They are so called because of the silky cross at the centre of their web. This is called a <em>stabilimentum.</em> At first thought to stabilise the web, it is currently thought to either help capture prey or avoid predators.</p> <p>EDIT: Today, 17th February, I was standing on the balcony, brushing my teeth and a wattle bird landed on a nearby branch and ate the above spider, right in front of me. C’est la vie!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3JhXFetsvC4nwZ2tgi2YOLEjALXSupEpIFQShOlP7hOcUbsgM-4J0L4DaP7K4fQyhBYV6c3rM0y0fmOnThaqTG-wgy-1jWbP6D_BR6uSN42NRuNqopA1bzQ7x7ba8GYojU6u_CsB_x3A/s1600-h/st%20andrews%20cross%20spiders,%20homes%20025%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="st andrews cross spiders, homes 025" border="0" alt="st andrews cross spiders, homes 025" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhl8mHb_XjzEKesGfRISKJiMiYZdlZJradTYeMoOwH13z1L4V0cpIER7Ka6Ibc8LAEdO0uc_rGjMLcSBgcxZFP76JXXl8RseIfXEYkEvAihQv0IFweTedWZjJvj_mv0S7hUBijxF7bRuN/?imgmax=800" width="496" height="484" /></a>This one is either a baby or hasn’t had time to spin the  cross yet. These spiders are common in Eastern Australia and are found from rainforest margins to open forest and heathland. And…. they aren’t poisonous!</p> robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-75658129093357579782010-02-09T04:34:00.001-08:002010-02-09T17:17:10.625-08:00Rain – and little yellow mushrooms……….<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtr5PP2rkKIZTXZD17NUG3eKGoCAcgqvYE6aq0zTguI4VFLl5PJkbleeNmt6oSffhbSMNV9O_NJCK_GAaAQOe9d_wkVdTATHlTHV3pvooUD4hlsiI9l6xf8-k2w8d1B_nE90TKu2L5LQX/s1600-h/shrooms%20011%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="shrooms 011" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3FWE2FiLhI/AAAAAAAABIc/NPgny9R9FfQ/shrooms%20011_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="shrooms 011" width="644" /></a> <br />
We’ve been having lots and lots of rain lately. I moved my pots out to catch it. I think theres no substitute for rainwater. I have also been indulging in my somewhat obsessive habit of collecting rainwater. As I cant have a rainwater tank, I now have lots of containers of rainwater, which are fast filling up with lots of mosquito larvae. I might have to move my new fishes around a bit!<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3FWGgguuZI/AAAAAAAABIg/c6-8qGfcSfM/s1600-h/shrooms%20004%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="shrooms 004" border="0" height="455" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3FWJU4mdGI/AAAAAAAABIk/89C5vZA4H8w/shrooms%20004_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="shrooms 004" width="644" /></a> I’ve also noticed lots of mushrooms coming up in the pots. I checked, they are common and pretty harmless, although I’m not planning to eat them<br />
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<tr><td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75bmue4WljzBlDHfVbU1z6qGf2Dea-V7YqGk3IsbpZvt0kugUAkJlRdAnqiX9_pIRp4Bw_FcnbnaOhqgfUBDnWRbuItD-Ytxy0R16wTV1WQHdxd4X2LioI6nn9PAmH4tjq0S2vM2aSNqe/s1600-h/shrooms%20007%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="shrooms 007" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YOu1H5MOzuXpma7hDz4NDKmMLoHuFRVM4EwjUPMcKnU3EVUPwepSGh_ABdsYoDagc2Q9Zhj7PmfyyOm7rMVjc0CTLvDyy64sJnR2FfChGbodxKZ41znQHRaFzJ-xuYmZ4Z4dEKJmIvnF/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="shrooms 007" width="332" /></a> </td><td valign="top" width="488"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3FWPSif8EI/AAAAAAAABJg/x8CAOVGajws/s1600-h/shrooms%20013%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="shrooms 013" border="0" height="269" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3FWRLvTP2I/AAAAAAAABJo/Bmwr7Olof6Y/shrooms%20013_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="shrooms 013" width="336" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Before………………………………………………………………………………………………………After (1 day)……..robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-84689333962836874612010-02-05T14:16:00.001-08:002010-02-05T14:16:10.440-08:00Blue Banded Bees<p>After a very mixed week, I was thrilled to find these critters buzzing around on my verandah<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2yYeHLcqXI/AAAAAAAABIA/xxBRpFu4FQw/s1600-h/oten%2C%20tomatoes%2C%20bees%20040%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="oten, tomatoes, bees 040" border="0" alt="oten, tomatoes, bees 040" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2yYf7RS5eI/AAAAAAAABIE/VVGj6NYx5gc/oten%2C%20tomatoes%2C%20bees%20040_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a>They are called Blue Banded Bees or <em>Amegilla sp. </em>and are native to Australia. They are, at the moment, all huddled on the tips of <em>Lepiromia articulata </em>which is in my watergarden. Its been pouring with rain for 2 days and they are all soaked<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyHq8GCEwJEi13yK4dWgjbkr4w7DjZkVQODlIAzkMUcIoE6ldI2wnhJiSjTjMYwHL9PVp32trozc_KKCm-f8w0ApVlziPyU-CxjPpKRg9uuCKz-ZaneXxI7LI3j5SmlBy8ZNJo7BoL95T/s1600-h/oten,%20tomatoes,%20bees%20051%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="oten, tomatoes, bees 051" border="0" alt="oten, tomatoes, bees 051" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5-TF7C68Z09YAlptvI1y4sXLqm5KZjr8XaFKLoO67YvQvd_M-YNO8gO8Rk44NjLHaTnzUNo1fWs58w3IIhT4ueFMzhQQXTxqNE40MNPwCQYy9mbBCETvuHydbH3FXu5BX8RTlZ166zVt/?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a>  Another interesting thing that I discovered from <a href="http://aussiebee.com.au">aussiebee.com.au</a>, was that they are great tomato pollinators, and are used in greenhouse tomato production. They are very active foragers and each visit about 1200 tomato flowers a day. I don’t have that many tomatoes but have got a few pots going. They are my 2nd round of tomatoes for the summer and are grown from the seeds of my first batch. I’ m loving the little         microcosm that’s developing here on my rooftop deck.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2yYnprzdaI/AAAAAAAABIQ/Ve9Ce3W0QD8/s1600-h/tomatoes%20001%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="tomatoes 001" border="0" alt="tomatoes 001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2yYqKxJz8I/AAAAAAAABIU/eiy9LHv1Al0/tomatoes%20001_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p> robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-74031013044951606052010-01-31T00:01:00.001-08:002010-01-31T00:01:37.043-08:00White Cloud Mountain Minnows<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2U4t3n1MPI/AAAAAAAABHw/qttuR8qAcuE/s1600-h/white%20cloud%20mountains%20007%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="white cloud mountains 007" border="0" alt="white cloud mountains 007" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgaaqm0wXsetAkNyMmOIZZoz-Zywxx9Z3MfuU9O0_K-eSslvX5wTbIhbb_fP-5idSyECkrOU-WOmQi8tLCptQxqDc_BQsny8AxZXqLCOJjPKNQHC6Uco9rl2_i-z32_oWcPQ1P2-nCO01/?imgmax=800" width="1028" height="419" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2U41KQkX-I/AAAAAAAABH4/XWnewsh33cE/s1600-h/250px-White_Cloud_Mountain_Minnow_1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="250px-White_Cloud_Mountain_Minnow_1" border="0" alt="250px-White_Cloud_Mountain_Minnow_1" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2U43RT8PSI/AAAAAAAABH8/qYLdpoxol00/250px-White_Cloud_Mountain_Minnow_1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="124" /></a> </p> <p>I mentioned in an earlier post that I had started a watergarden. Its an old metal washtub with some reeds in it, as well as some Thai mint and a native Australian waterplant called Marsillea.  Every time I look into the water, its full of wrigglers (mosquito larvae)  The best solution to get rid of the wrigglers was to get some fish.</p> <p> </p> <p>I went to Aqua Pets in Bondi Junction and got 6 <em>Tanichthy albonubes, </em>common name White Cloud Mountain Minnows. They are hardy fish which can survive warm or cool water temperatures. They are extinct in their native habitat of Guandong, China, and were originally discovered by a Boy Scout leader in the 1930’s. They are a member of the Carp family, which is already setting off alarm bells in my head as Carp are a huge pest here in Australia and are decimating native fish populations and causing widespread riverbank erosion, here in Australia. </p> <p>Like many other plant and animal species, they are great when kept in a confined area, but become a problem when exposed to another environment where  they may dominate and takeover because of their ability to thrive in a variety of situations.</p> <p>I don’t know whether this species of fish could ever become a problem in the wild, but its always good to be aware of the potential.</p> robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-24997850997795571032010-01-30T16:08:00.001-08:002010-01-30T16:08:01.185-08:00Aechmea bromeliifolia albobracteata<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2TJwomin2I/AAAAAAAABHg/zFpaWYNgXz8/s1600-h/31110%20009%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="31110 009" border="0" alt="31110 009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2TJzXRyVUI/AAAAAAAABHk/gYhjpEpJDBs/31110%20009_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> </p> <p>I finally cut the flower head off of this plant as its past its prime. Something came along in the night and had a go at extracting some seeds from it. I love that the plants on my rooftop attract birds and insects and provide some sort of environment for them</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2TJ1jKOcqI/AAAAAAAABHo/Q23n_fe4yXc/s1600-h/31110%20008%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="31110 008" border="0" alt="31110 008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2TJ33DV78I/AAAAAAAABHs/Ywp7IfoOfz0/31110%20008_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p> robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-31426047933459155242010-01-30T15:54:00.001-08:002010-01-30T15:54:15.822-08:00Sedum “Purple Emperor”<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyQxmlUw0I8BelHqdM56V7sBfZOJ1lwvlrhDetlLgrxCHafyY3u3ZN0ELlLl6lR-vTGx_F6_vBu-esuE0c7OhNbWjTLfVXwQiyTg_BHxAaDIjTAo6iWC0l_dBffKYbbbcIbgC9RQPm7da/s1600-h/31110%20002%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="31110 002" border="0" alt="31110 002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2TGfhX7mPI/AAAAAAAABHM/AfPadSJY3ac/31110%20002_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="593" height="484" /></a> </p> <p>I bought this Sedum at Lambley Nursery last year and it has just started flowering</p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2TGhkiSNZI/AAAAAAAABHQ/IY_etYRTbXE/s1600-h/31110%20003%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="31110 003" border="0" alt="31110 003" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUU8dueO9Q7zzNbx44HA2zKtMBAbtbc8pGLgKTGZR7qBn1r589OFnh8jFjmJnpE5eUD6zYshCg0q3lzIz58_Bv6nECBqgV8e5hS3Yj7m-aanSQs_A7fusXLZA9PlVOcBDazuW95Y5mWAcn/?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2TGm4LHeLI/AAAAAAAABHY/kYjZ-Btnbyg/s1600-h/31110%20005%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="31110 005" border="0" alt="31110 005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S2TGpf4VpNI/AAAAAAAABHc/7lMtnnR_P1A/31110%20005_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="484" /></a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p></p> <p></p> <p>It grows 35cm tall and the leaves are purpley bronze. It flowers from late summer to Autumn and requires little water. A great choice for a sunny garden in drought conditions</p> robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-4852715254831785332010-01-26T17:52:00.001-08:002010-02-17T03:07:23.682-08:00Sydney Botanical Gardens<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="388"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEBf37WS6tZzutFlo739GV5htyp4aHCV_jXE0uUBousEtqdJVnEc0ZRboIEdbm4U7tdqttd5L_U8sZTQo9j-0D5pUQDf-SiMUnFHCj1pGSe0ARdHHNR4o7bXdCVjixQA9HcqIXm4Ntav2/s1600-h/rbg%20044%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="rbg 044" border="0" alt="rbg 044" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3vNz0sEX5I/AAAAAAAABMc/VXTqfll1fww/rbg%20044_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="296" height="385" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="186"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3vN0eZ05AI/AAAAAAAABMg/GF9y0Tz5zHo/s1600-h/rbg%20045%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="rbg 045" border="0" alt="rbg 045" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfokqXaMArOnkws8Q16kOrNkoYUaZIZS3Wt37OhoGcXFbSuJ7mBh8c3InkR9ncWEaiTR7-HVgMBiOTaS8buYRrTAD1LqWgb6xL9tpo31ECU36xLpGd_3Q1DzHRiypaOa_yNKLOplKmvdv/?imgmax=800" width="265" height="341" /></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S3vN2L9mGcI/AAAAAAAABMo/QtXO3UGcOfw/s1600-h/rbg%20046%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="rbg 046" border="0" alt="rbg 046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENw0ICcj_3QKdMU6JvArBMePOxw6QmT87o86OuQa-T977PQYYWkq64frlejUEV0eHMPeLj8GD-FcAnTD-RXffgd_DZGxHE1AfbWVmGAoXV3PRz_cY1-6rAiHr92q1LM2LzyboqcCqu1dS/?imgmax=800" width="327" height="364" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="186"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48O1wCiTjouMvTD3-Yor3pBCHTYJQ_q1Um3l1Q6OBzyZ10uiAUYxoRYbdspFxYsP4BcdQy6ZFV7xMGG6BJuoR1nJ3Gl8YfmrHyzy8TRZnPGm30MrNaCYlpYBS5HtyN-XjhloP8A9iPwTm/s1600-h/rbg%20058%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="rbg 058" border="0" alt="rbg 058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPVXQ_DPkO6L12j8AImbM-fXW-enGS0wDZjBmHMeVvE-awJqR0r6RLD3L8Nk8IzwD6kNZhE1huzk9SVA8TtMLdsuAi8QmwlD2Z0cWahvJ-UjbWaUVVR3lFSnvjmt8vjZErgUH1omaoVS_/?imgmax=800" width="219" height="346" /></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMU1bRye7kLiOlg3brw4xBVNkFzzYDfm_94fIm2gtdPaJwJp8SE-3Dc0T48A2ZILUStmsrHsLI1OBLQtGKdv-Vx4LPwk5uv3287o-n8zDoHAUAZrTQ7W4b_4_9eg3yrwEZef7_ibyOv9R/s1600-h/rbg%20067%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="rbg 067" border="0" alt="rbg 067" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIr77eQn1ZGAlhzWjQvE2AqH-9-4QxflgX6ZzmK3KokGigtCZ97KxfkpQAE2OWg-wLYba-WAIsF4GyFzBqsGI0kr8qy6zmuAn3IN4FIZyZBxhI505kWN6ecQsvQe8x2Lmzhu2X-eYI-kfu/?imgmax=800" width="371" height="285" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="186"> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p>I recently went to The Sydney Botanical Gardens. The tropical hothouse is fantastic. Lots of exotic , tropical plants growing on different levels, so that you can see things from different perspectives.  If the Gardens had more funding, I think that this would be a good collection to develop. Its really popular whenever I visit the gardens and its not cheap to get in. Theres is another glass pyramid type hothouse opposite that has mainly Australian tropical plants. Its pretty boring, and needs some work. There are lots of bare patches and the plants dont look very luscious.</p> <p>The flying foxes that have colonised the gardens really depressed me. They are destroying a lot of the older trees in the gardens. Their droppings are everywhere and smell putrid. When is something going to be done about this problem. It seems to have been going on for too long.</p> robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-64155436534740708282010-01-26T15:32:00.001-08:002010-02-17T03:11:38.204-08:00Camping – January, 2010<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S197V0GWSEI/AAAAAAAABF0/b-_xcrATlTY/s1600-h/wheeny%20ck%202%20007%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Shredded tent" border="0" alt="Shredded tent" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S197W9X0bdI/AAAAAAAABF4/udDqnPgfTLA/wheeny%20ck%202%20007_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="589" height="443" /></a> </p> <p>I went camping this weekend with my friend “S”. Above picture shows what happens when you leave your tent up and unattended over long periods of time.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S197X40lH_I/AAAAAAAABF8/MQshcu1V-Xk/s1600-h/wheeny%20ck%202%20008%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Coleman Lakeside 3" border="0" alt="Coleman Lakeside 3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFl0j9psUl48FVoqvVYY5bQqfQ7TfTgGyE-zWfIqqZiV7-XKe59fQ_GnKSFn7RquZH5m4KEfFA_AGZ7rcSGhLBicijuQsvO_RGsVwUcRQYGYbZmIIqG5aqpFeDN0Fh76GuMfFvvF-6fSde/?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a> This is the new tent. The Coleman Lakeside 3, complete with its own vestibule. We put it up in 20 mins without directions</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmwtwSjREdj5AbuvD2nJMo5wA8I-W735XK_6055-jgq5HGdDrTY8beT-kWt8ZdUe1Sr2fd_1_GnlE4-OlEf36xGto64smma9UifgJXPf6GKE17Fbe754S6UYjAOF3ue53zJFSjdUbVQba/s1600-h/wheeny%20ck%202%20010%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="wheeny ck 2 010" border="0" alt="wheeny ck 2 010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S197amZCV4I/AAAAAAAABGI/g5-qANTdzLc/wheeny%20ck%202%20010_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400"><tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S197bshKTEI/AAAAAAAABNg/9iQ2pouGcC8/s1600-h/wheeny%20ck%202%20023%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="wheeny ck 2 023" border="0" alt="wheeny ck 2 023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S197coP1rRI/AAAAAAAABNk/RkQ78oyf4FI/wheeny%20ck%202%20023_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="272" /></a> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ddjpIYzwpJcvUb7ckVRi87RSnXi1FMGKINn7osn0384bNIBiMIHDV9ThBnu2xiYuybPjeBOYOIRm7ckiImvzqONvR0qjWDnhNQnzJ-YqQFewHH75WG8HPjLWSTuHH-9xbbu86z_XLVSh/s1600-h/wheeny%20ck%202%20002.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Dr Bang" border="0" alt="Dr Bang" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_zFiqyeBTJ8TIYI-2MWkfML7Zkx3datT2dDkgJmFAf0WSPJvaULqQrEqu_AD6gYRXqX4nO3LU-ONos4NhH0ogA1BmvcaAsUvV5heJQNN3zkYE8bRQ8AIKsf9bBq8W4tsLdHUoDd9TO-B/?imgmax=800" width="229" height="302" /></a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="200"> </td> <td valign="top" width="200"> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-77698063965430533752010-01-23T15:54:00.001-08:002010-01-23T15:54:20.050-08:00Hoya densifolia (I think)<p>I was in Far North Queensland a couple of years ago and bought this unidentified Hoya from a small local nursery that didn’t have any other Hoyas for sale. I have been trying to identify it and have found that there is a lot of debate between Hoya collectors about the 2 species <em>Hoya cumingiana </em>and <em>Hoya densifolia. </em></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S1uMGceIxsI/AAAAAAAABFk/LfAH10ljwSs/s1600-h/23110%20010%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="23110 010" border="0" alt="23110 010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLzmi3oXQc8jzGZUBQy4LDLv2x87EJ11sDxpB1D5JIIRKLNrNivzrNEMOvi_o3hU9VIrvaL9QSPFmYulzRYH5AWRccmH3CoLJq-Dbj6FUzKWrjr9n2sudGr0WigE90e4s_TTNRtx4kKvwg/?imgmax=800" width="473" height="484" /></a> </p> <p>I think this is <em>H. densifolia. </em>It has small leaves 3cm long x 2cm wide. The new branches are upright at first, then cascading, not twining. There are 13 flowers in the umbel. It is apparently from the Phillipines and Indonesia.I love how the flowers look all waxy. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S1uMJAYNstI/AAAAAAAABFs/qFbRcj1pHAs/s1600-h/23110%20004%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="23110 004" border="0" alt="23110 004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S1uMKttDPYI/AAAAAAAABFw/jmUBzri7TY0/23110%20004_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></a></p> robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-82956367633050684942010-01-23T15:24:00.001-08:002010-01-23T15:24:34.867-08:00Significant Trees # 1<p>I spend a lot of time driving around Sydney and various trees and plants become landmarks. They might be in a public place or in someones front garden. They might be something that you dont give much thought to until they flower spectacularly at the same time each year. Sometimes they disappear all of a sudden because the council has decided that they are dangerous or a developer has moved into a site and unceremoniously mowed down all things green.</p> <p>With this in mind, I thought I might start an irregular post of some of my favourite landmark plants</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEhtgSGodvX8ImgKZRCRqHjc0q5uuWnIRiCb8C539MrNZJUekYvSw5VKJBdFhLi8OChB11K56nnrbmtX_5vPPX46hw1EKeKEU4qvpZls-kSI6obOnb4wrJNrrPI79ILVOJiXT6mEh8NG3/s1600-h/23110%20031%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="23110 031" border="0" alt="23110 031" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S1uFBScDVKI/AAAAAAAABFQ/m5A4jCHtyxc/23110%20031_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p>The first one is an Angophora costata, or Sydney Red Gum. Its on a vacant block between a newsagent and an old house. Its on Rocky Point Road in Sans Souci. Its a beautiful tree that sits right in the middle of the block. I worry that sooner or later the block will be sold and the tree will be removed.I hope not!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0vpyG7hNReG8bq0I_llhhwvwCFyMyIic-QSzbD1dq-ks4Mr4bSfvwgL0ptOLpgjzy__yqmyYQWsfhYgbAvPXJps9y9s97yeUudMHz-OU1rsTInzpgEhftOQmEtNP8lU9jUP7htf3Bfeo/s1600-h/23110%20033%5B12%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="23110 033" border="0" alt="23110 033" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhuIuBgfLB1QNDUa2j4z1iwcSyOpSCNhcKYBPc6oVRDXM97fto1aiyXIL5xcNwXzZ0OcKXsCyG7EZVo_gat-jmhlMcD6aaXQ0M1FZ6Kjpe-9xHXgjMlc6vDn4xCyBqjCZwWT5NX9brXbQ/?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S1uFIro_ZnI/AAAAAAAABFc/u3mYYv-mr5I/s1600-h/23110%20034%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="23110 034" border="0" alt="23110 034" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S1uFLwA2ElI/AAAAAAAABFg/n_K_nPY-AxE/23110%20034_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> </p> <p>Angophora costata is known for its curling limbs and its smooth pinkish brown bark. Its often seen growing from crevices in rocks.</p> robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-22998308335498026682010-01-20T13:26:00.001-08:002010-01-20T13:26:13.103-08:00Cotyledon orbiculata<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S1d0umb4J7I/AAAAAAAABE8/Fxd9IANfJaE/dahlias%20018%5B20%5D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="dahlias 018" border="0" alt="dahlias 018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S1d0zCHaF2I/AAAAAAAABFA/pTXxvuZA8z0/dahlias%20018_thumb%5B25%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="606" height="772" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-7NqCwXY4ulQXdnY3JV_dett0BQYEHcmyGZQpmjhKH1wXUALqwgvVK0A11hKIsywUqeyqjFK6Veu7wayNQpHNDYyo9PPrkUSYkLLogLa12Z3NEMwKQTeP7UmCBrOte1mb13dI5paUOYu-/s1600-h/dahlias%20019%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cotyledon orbiculata" border="0" alt="cotyledon orbiculata" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwYDXOfBZnGndXa5OCipR7FHaqHddEn-qixU2zRqDjkXchDq4pECqynygzlb-KpEJ9Lsq9tq8ZyrEZiXPuJgtKWnnVofW_7U-I5R3uNS7xN2mPRVXmy6wxwDX7NkzyILjbnfQk6sbTAlw/?imgmax=800" width="610" height="518" /></a></p> <p>I have been reading another instalment on <a href="http://jeansgarden.wordpress.com/">jeansgarden.wordpress.com</a> about posting photos on your blog via Window Live Writer. As someone who has never had any computer tuition, this information is gold! Also this week have rediscovered a favourite blog of mine <a href="http://succulentobsession.blogspot.com/">A succulent obsession</a> which has fantastic photography and is invaluable for identifying succulents</p> robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-90440494215580461592010-01-16T18:48:00.000-08:002010-01-16T18:48:17.355-08:00Header and LayoutHave spent most of the day, changing format and trying to change the header into something that will fit. I dont have photoshop. I think this is something I will have to get. I keep looking at other peoples blogs and wondering whether they have professional help. It says on the Blogger editing tab that it will shrink the picture to fit - but it doesnt! Aaarrrggghhh!robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-44630559869347712952010-01-15T15:36:00.001-08:002010-01-15T15:49:49.340-08:00Dahlias <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S1D8A5RTaqI/AAAAAAAABEE/xtszyhk3Xg4/s1600-h/16110%20001%5B22%5D.jpg"><img alt="16110 001" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S1D8CqtnckI/AAAAAAAABEI/vF1LtYG-tvQ/16110%20001_thumb%5B24%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="16110 001" width="475" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S1D8Ev5c1CI/AAAAAAAABEM/2V1gdvqMyoU/s1600-h/16110%20003%5B15%5D.jpg"><img alt="16110 003" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S1D8GW39zpI/AAAAAAAABEQ/3T4QS7cyreY/16110%20003_thumb%5B26%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="16110 003" width="490" /></a><br />
I never used to like Dahlias much, but my friend, Don, bought me some bulbs and Ive become a little bit fascinated by them. They remind me of Chrysanthemums, they look a little bit Chinese and these huge showy flowers manifest from little bulbs. They dont really fit with all of my other plants, but I have realised thats its a great pleasure to watch the development of flowers, when you go outside to inspect your garden. Another friend cant believe how much time I spend inspecting my plants.But for me, that is the best part!robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-49958713506549112142010-01-11T00:57:00.001-08:002010-01-11T01:12:35.841-08:00Draceana Draco – Callan Park<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ2Ht6Go7x1UHSDGfsP1eta7HtJcWP-zXhHs7waqouzB5Ld0_e2qW2hqqA_PXe4rR7XXAeb4pJ0uNopKmFvVeFZm-REcOCRpoNJFEpJ6vQquqcKrdNevbexdZSVys5pVFzos2C00YEYYor/s1600-h/callan%20park%20138%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="callan park 138" border="0" height="439" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S0rnsbzx18I/AAAAAAAABDk/6Qwbg5GPv8o/callan%20park%20138_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="callan park 138" width="583" /></a> <br />
I was in Callan Park today. Its an area of land that was originally bought in 1839 as an estate. In 1873 it was bought by the Colonial Government to be the site of a “Lunatic Asylum”. At the time the grounds were 104.5 acres. The parklands were designed by the Director of the Sydney Botanical Gardens. At various stages since then it has fallen into disrepair due to neglect.<img alt="callan park 144" border="0" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVyYNYTtNn2x3A16GrWtdOfUYZIA66vgazEizeOk_ohldo-mddA8JI2FYwpeqJMZoiPB6FuuY1s81qhIftWrhFjwYCC5bHCMlqzotIz0Jgzao6Ge8Uv2RPTSx49zgVMOmAN1p7ZWEJkOG/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="callan park 144" width="537" /><br />
There is a bit of a sad feeling around the place, due to its long history as a psychiatric hospital. It was also used to treat shell shocked soldiers returning from WW1.<br />
Friends of Callan Park have a very informative website <a href="http://www.callanpark.com/">http://www.callanpark.com/</a> with more details of its history<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT34-CRTwRHV1p0kJ3PnPKa4N-8FzFAEE_5QdHsexLd8kF_Mpn8eMhQ-fFdJqAxOidJ2oXBryZADlg_ikgqX98i3yQoQjlAbT7XABxvhWsgyfqox5G2lTCjqIG6042v6T5hZp372i7Uzpj/s1600-h/callan%20park%20127%5B10%5D.jpg" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="callan park 127" border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzHYHfbhzN8XDOogzGMU6lcaWleRhY8kUR6FP-iu8pTB9Ixh-4jp_70owKRSlF_B0SMvGOuxG-AvGXFHndPIxQ4-7taaBQEt0ayCAo-DWXAgBIMtxNI6YF02nB-Uek3uqfnIPcPTmBzAo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="callan park 127" width="299" /></a><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S0rnwforAZI/AAAAAAAABDs/MEwh937ViGM/s1600-h/callan%20park%20132%5B9%5D.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="callan park 132" border="0" height="320" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S0rnyc9BsOI/AAAAAAAABDw/89FyXP8UWZU/callan%20park%20132_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="callan park 132" width="323" /></a><br />
</div>There are some very significant trees in the gardens, including some <em>Dracaeana draco </em>that I think must be about 100 yrs old.Originally from the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, they can live to 400 years. These examples are very striking and are well displayed in the huge open landscape.I have to say though that they are a strange choice of tree to put in the front area of a psychiatric hospital. They look like giant brains, and could be a bit intimidating.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV51ZZwj6miSkWvSOCjHqkXFd5DFp-97Jj24e7fUcjZKPLPqzmU7PwbtKYeIAEgLpDtJOpK6UWjMYuziqnu0hWgg4ALbz1jkxE49GZDD1eBsk6Kh7p3XDz0zuNzCTNe2Px6LJRf1rGdR5c/s1600-h/callan%20park%20142%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="callan park 142" border="0" height="772" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYkN4sWsYMoLE7EwspLL2NXSGiB5-Cw6A9xxP0LBrUDYoA8mlNHI5MdRobQ7vwHPIK1FWtWE1FWc8J1eueGsAueqzCw0yCbqJtzVVCn0Q9AeyuM0ECNtuQXzOdXHa_ksvPNugvkDUpg6U9/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="callan park 142" width="1028" /></a>robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4851853919714796792.post-8074493509753752282010-01-10T23:11:00.001-08:002010-01-10T23:11:21.847-08:00Pelargonium sidioides<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_GQ4b-cDxN3Q/S0rPDuXmcQI/AAAAAAAABDU/k1JaJGxj23I/s1600-h/8011003912.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="80110 039" border="0" alt="80110 039" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFyM0o1Fp2CKRmQiAQsdDMJJKwgxuT5Z9VSrXCZ_Reb1vaLsszvA2njPse968WIp0bbbqSAOmXYKYoGYGMVxEJ-BHx2RcTlDxPmf7U3SUDHmd-kntcqGKIkySMDMYBcNFngO4NFxGCU-7/?imgmax=800" width="646" height="480" /></a> </p> <p>This is a test run as I am trying out Window Writer to blog as it seems to be a lot easier. Thanks so much jeansgarden.wordpress.com for your fabulous posting on how it all works. I think blogging is going to get a lot better from now on!Also, I have got a new layout. Im happy because my pictures are bigger and not cut in half</p> robblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00634972636904963709noreply@blogger.com1