Growing arid zone species on the coast?

[Hornet]

Anyone got any tips for cultivating arid natives in the more humid east coast reigon? I'm currently growing bulloke, started with 3 seed since i was out at the wrong time, 2 germinated, son ripped one up so i'm left with 1, its growing fairly well so far in the free drained sandy mix, i'm very keen to try and grow some of the arid eucalyptus and acacia's, some beaut ones out where i head in the brigalow belt that i'd love to get seed off. In general are arid eucs and acacia as difficult as say western grevilleas and banksias?

[Paul B]

Hi Hornet,
my first thoughts would be no...but in saying that, you may just have a perfect spot ( microclimate) that suits.I would use a very open mix and pay particular attention to the watering.
I have 20 or so phaleanopsis orchids ( a tropical species) that have been growing and flowering quite well hanging from the branches of an avacado tree outside my front door for the last 5 years. Technically, they shouldn't survive here in Adelaide winters without a heated glasshouse.
All I can suggest is give them a try, and expect some disappointments.
Sometimes it is good to push the "boundries", one may be pleasantly suprised.

Paul

[Hornet]

Cheers mate, so far the allocasuarina luehmannii are doing quite well, be good to see how they grow as they get older. Also had a bunch of melaleauca seed that i sowed from the same area that did great till the slugs got them. Have another casuarina/allocasuarina from the same area that are growing quite well here from seed. Very dry, sandy soils so be good to see how they go in the long run.