Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Author: admin

Plant PalettePlants

Bird loving ‘Honey Pots’

By Paul Carmen

Label Name: Banksia spinulosa

ACRA Registration: 1337

Family: Proteaceae

Origin: Collected from a coastal area in southern Victoria. Selected by Rod & Robyn Parsons for the strong honey fragrance of the flowers. Received in June 1999.

Characteristics: A moderately dense small shrub that grows to 1m(h) x 1.5m(w), The flowers are golden in colour with red styles, 50-200mm long x 40-80mm in diameter and bloom from  March to  August.… Continue reading

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Newsbuds

GM tomatoes for home gardens

The possibility of bringing genetically modified (GM) purple tomatoes to the gardens and plates of home-growers has moved a crucial step closer, following a decision by United States regulators. Norfolk Plant Sciences Ltd announced a decision by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which means US home-growers may be able to purchase seeds and grow the nutritionally enhanced, high-anthocyanin, purple tomato from (northern) spring 2023. Continue reading

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Newsbuds

Cancellations – local effects

Queensland specialist orchid grower Sam Cowie of Leaf and Limb, confirmed the impact of cancellations on a crop that has long production times.

“Order cancellations are worse in the orchid industry (except for Phalaenopsis with their short production time). From laboratory submission to flask shipment is 18 months, then add another 2 to 3½ years in production for the finished product.… Continue reading

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EditorialNewsbuds

New online training packs available

Two new online training packages will help more people recognise exotic pests and diseases.

Queensland’s Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, and Minister for Rural Communities, Mark Furner, said Biosecurity Queensland, Plant Health Australia, and the New South Wales Government have developed two new online training packages, Hitchhiker Pests, and Nursery Pests and Diseases.… Continue reading

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