Sydney: Welcome to Spring

[Rory]

Wow, its that time of year again for growing natives north of Sydney.

Most of my natives are absolutely powering on now. They only slow down a bit during the cold and weaker sun periods anyway.
But special mention in order of amazing growth goes to:

all Baeckeas
all Casuarinas
all Phebaliums

Leptospermum scoparium (brilliant floral displays at the moment)
Banksia ericifolia (definitely the quickest out of the gate than any of the other Banksias)
Port Jackson fig (not moretons, as they are much slower)
Melaleuca linarifolia

And special un-mention award still goes to 'Mount Spurgeon Black Pine - Prumnopitys ladei'. This tree doesn't grow, it just exists.

[melbrackstone]

And special un-mention award still goes to 'Mount Spurgeon Black Pine'. This tree doesn't grow, it just exists.

I'll second that, mine has not done much in the 6 years I've owned it...it's only in the last two years that I've given it any attention, mind. Not thickened up in the trunk at all, but starting to extend branches, at last.

[shibui]

I've noticed that quite a few of the plants on the 'rare' list are slow and difficult. Could be the reason they are rare in the first place.

Not much spring down here yet. Cold and wet again today. Can't say there's any real movement on anything except jonquils and daffodils here.

[Rory]

And special un-mention award still goes to 'Mount Spurgeon Black Pine'. This tree doesn't grow, it just exists.

I'll second that, mine has not done much in the 6 years I've owned it...it's only in the last two years that I've given it any attention, mind. Not thickened up in the trunk at all, but starting to extend branches, at last.

Wow, thats really slow, thats slower than the ones I'm growing, yeah that must be frustrating. I am probably exaggerating a little, as they have started to thicken in the last few years though. I'll be posting a few progression threads in a year or so.

I've noticed that quite a few of the plants on the 'rare' list are slow and difficult. Could be the reason they are rare in the first place.

Not much spring down here yet. Cold and wet again today. Can't say there's any real movement on anything except jonquils and daffodils here.

Yes I know what you mean. Many of the rare plants I've tried, have been temperamental with root disturbances and such. But this particular variety is quite hardy, but just so slow to grow.

[boom64]

Not that far behind you Rory ,looking good south of Sydney. Buds galore and a few Scoparium and Pink Cascade flowers. Hopefully some good heat this Spring and Summer to power everyone along. Cheers John.

[Watto]

Yep we are also powering along here in the tablelands, only about 6 or 7 weeks to wait before things begin to happen. Is that what you mean by "powering along"?

[Rory]

Yep we are also powering along here in the tablelands, only about 6 or 7 weeks to wait before things begin to happen. Is that what you mean by "powering along"?

No....actually I mean everything has put out oodles of fresh new growth already. Shoots are growing like crazy here.

[Watto]

Rory it was minus 7 here this morning, any new growth would be burnt to a crisp.

[Rory]

Rory it was minus 7 here this morning, any new growth would be burnt to a crisp.

holy cow!

Yeah thats cold. You can keep that weather!

[EdwardH]

I'm in the Hills area of Sydney and we are getting anywhere between 1-8 degrees each night depending where you are. My M. quinquenervia, Callistris rhomboidea, bottlebrush, Brisbane box, Phebalium. OK I'm going to stop now because all my natives are still growing albeit though slower than in summer.