"There are countless horrible things happening all over the world and horrible people prospering, but we must never allow them to disturb our equanimity or deflect us from our sacred duty to sabotage and annoy them whenever possible." -Auberon Waugh
...It’s possible such a visitor already visited the original grove, either by accident or design, because a parasitical tree disease has been detected among the original residents.
Might be that the "visitor" was a bird, or some land animal. But that's boffins for you, always assuming human beings are the problem. If a problem even existed in the first place.
I want some of those seeds. If it's as slow-growing as they say, it'll grow in a big patio pot, and it would look great on my porch (of course I'd have to buy a grow light to keep it healthy during the winter).
Hey Rebecca, I grew up close to the Wollemi Park where the trees were discovered and used to go on bush walks through that area. I am sure seeds used to be easily available but after having a look around the interwebs I could only find them in England of all places. Maybe it's a seasonal thing. I'll keep an eye out and if I see some I'll get them to you somehow.
Thank you, Mick. I actually did find companies that sell them (yes, none in the US, but Amazon does offer them). They are, however, very expensive and I'm rethinking my plan. But your offer is very kind.
Yes I saw that. Originally after the discovery and the transplanting of seedlings to greenhouses where the plants were guarded like the Crown jewels, they found out these things grow like weeds. There was program to distribute the seeds far and wide to ensure their survival. It seems to have turned into a money spinner now. I'll still keep an eye out, you never know.
Nothing that organised Bruce. I grew up in western Sydney and used to bushwalk with a group of ex-scouts. In our early teens we would head out for about a week in the Blue Mountains during the school holidays. There is good train access around the Katoomba area. Later when we could drive we could get to the other side of Bells Line of Road and the Putty Road and into Wollemi. I remember when I was about14 coming home after 4 or 5 days away and Mum saying "oh good you are back, the lawn needs mowing". Things were different back then.
Haha, yes different times. Putty Rd, yes I guessed that would be your starting point into Wollemi. I've lived in the mid-Blue Mountains for 25 yrs and mostly just explore my local area.
These days the bush is full of runners, long distance ones or just Parkrun. I'd rather take it slowly myself, especially when meeting snakes, who don't like to be surprised! They're fine if you keep yr distance.
...it has a covering of bark reminiscent of Coco-puffs.
ReplyDeleteIn appearance...or taste? Or both?
And if both, is that why Australian botanists are treating the specimens as a top-secret national treasure?
That would explain why the botanists are transporting gallons of milk out there.
ReplyDeleteFascinating! However ....
ReplyDelete...It’s possible such a visitor already visited the original grove, either by accident or design, because a parasitical tree disease has been detected among the original residents.
Might be that the "visitor" was a bird, or some land animal. But that's boffins for you, always assuming human beings are the problem. If a problem even existed in the first place.
I want some of those seeds. If it's as slow-growing as they say, it'll grow in a big patio pot, and it would look great on my porch (of course I'd have to buy a grow light to keep it healthy during the winter).
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm a sucker for exotic plants, sue me.
Hey Rebecca, I grew up close to the Wollemi Park where the trees were discovered and used to go on bush walks through that area. I am sure seeds used to be easily available but after having a look around the interwebs I could only find them in England of all places. Maybe it's a seasonal thing. I'll keep an eye out and if I see some I'll get them to you somehow.
DeleteThe visitor could be an insect, pine borer beetle is decimating forests in Colorado.
ReplyDeleteNow, if we could just stumble across the hidden valley where the last of our megafauna still thrive!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mick. I actually did find companies that sell them (yes, none in the US, but Amazon does offer them). They are, however, very expensive and I'm rethinking my plan. But your offer is very kind.
ReplyDeleteYes I saw that. Originally after the discovery and the transplanting of seedlings to greenhouses where the plants were guarded like the Crown jewels, they found out these things grow like weeds.
DeleteThere was program to distribute the seeds far and wide to ensure their survival.
It seems to have turned into a money spinner now. I'll still keep an eye out, you never know.
Mick, were you by any chance a member of:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.cbcnsw.org.au/
because I know a couple of associates and their history.
Nothing that organised Bruce. I grew up in western Sydney and used to bushwalk with a group of ex-scouts. In our early teens we would head out for about a week in the Blue Mountains during the school holidays. There is good train access around the Katoomba area. Later when we could drive we could get to the other side of Bells Line of Road and the Putty Road and into Wollemi.
DeleteI remember when I was about14 coming home after 4 or 5 days away and Mum saying "oh good you are back, the lawn needs mowing".
Things were different back then.
Haha, yes different times. Putty Rd, yes I guessed that would be your starting point into Wollemi. I've lived in the mid-Blue Mountains for 25 yrs and mostly just explore my local area.
ReplyDeleteThese days the bush is full of runners, long distance ones or just Parkrun. I'd rather take it slowly myself, especially when meeting snakes, who don't like to be surprised! They're fine if you keep yr distance.