Well, we've collected seed from a few sources around this area over the
years, so I can't guarantee that it's from one spot. The possible
sources are Langwarrin, Frankston (in particular, Karingal which I guess
you'd call a minor suburb or "estate" of Frankston and Ballam Park which
is in Karingal), and there's a slight chance that some came from further
away such as Red Hill and Cranbourne. Basically though, Frankston would
be the major source. Or you could just put Mornington Peninsula which
would cover all sources... Cultural info: grow them in either 1:1 or
2:1 peat:sand mix. Keep them moist during late-autumn (fall) through
until the time they become yellow or black some time in spring or
summer, when you should let them dry out (don't dig them up - leave the
tubers in the pots). They are fairly undemanding plants (ie. they are
weeds ;-) )
CU in 1992
*********
Didn't see any CP while I was on my house huntin' trip (bit too late in the
season, probably). I did a quite 1/2 day visit of the Mount Stromlo
observatory (run by the Australian National University - they also have some
'scopes at Siding Spring), Tidbinbilla Tracking Station (run by NASA etc.),
and Namadgi National Park. On the road to Namadgi N.P. is a place called
Gibraltar Falls - dunno if this is part of the N.P. or a separate reserve.
I had a bit of a walk around there, and saw plenty of triggerplants
(Stylidium graminifolium(?)), fringe lilies (Thysanotus tuberosus) and some
cinnamon bells (Gastrodia sesamoides). The latter is an leafless saprophytic
orchid - you can only find them when they are in flower. The flower stalks
were around 60cm or so tall, which around 10-20 flowers on each. Judging by
the other plants in the area and the terrain, it might be a good site for
Drosera peltata etc.
I also visited the Australian National Botanic Gardens, but didn't
notice any CP's on my quite walk. I think I'll probably join "Friends
of the A.N.B.G." and drop a few hints... :-) When I was last there
(about 2 years ago), there were plans to build a tropical house at the
top of the fern gully - no sign of any building construction there.
There are plenty of other Nature Parks etc. scattered throughout Canberra, so
I should be kept reasonably busy CP spotting. The Snowy Mountains are about
2 hours drive away, so I might be able to investigate some of the alpine
sphagnum bogs as well...
Well, it's been great talking to you guys over the past year or so.
Hopefully I can keep in contact one way or another in the future...
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!
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| Paul Taylor Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology |
| C/O s883351@minyos.xx.rmit.oz.au Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA |
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