Title image above is copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

First published 12th June 2025

Hello everyone, again keeping to the format of previous newsletters:

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Item 1: Things of Beauty
The Lone Pine descendant is both the Thing of Beauty Item as well as the Wollongong Botanic Garden feature for this newsletter.

A second, long-overdue Thing of Beauty is the “George the Friesian Bull” Farm Art Sculpture in Lockhart NSW. We spent some wonderful time exploring the NSW Riverina last December 2024, and this masterpiece was in the heart of Lockhart town. “George the Friesian Bull” is just one of many incredible sculptures, all from farm scrap, that Lockhart is famous for.

Item 2: Composting in a Box
The previous two newsletters’ Item 2 were both unusual encounters: the Narrandera tree back in February. and a garlic monobulb in April.

Sadly I don’t have a third for this Item 2, so shall do the only thing I can — shift the goalposts, redefine the theme as “different”, and present how the Japanese compost in a box!

Item 3: Other New Blog Posts Since Last Newsletter
Plant of the Month: May 2025
Saffron (Crocus sativus)

On Bulbs and Corms
Both are underground stems and storage organs, but other than that the two are very different and have precise botanical definitions.

Use of Weed Mat Pins With Air-Pot Bonsai Training Pots
Something only possible with an Air-Pot! And that tree has not shifted this whole time.

Plant of the Month: June 2025
Yacón (Peruvian Ground Apple) (Smallanthus sonchifolius)

Yacón (Peruvian Ground Apple)
An introduction to this most interesting food plant.

How AI Corrupts Science Even More: AI is Flooding Science with Fake Research
Wait until you get to the vegetative electron microscopy part. You’ll also learn some truths about AI — there is no intelligence in AI. It is nothing more than the stringing together of words and phrases that statistically are most likely to appear together. All while corrupting science even more than I ever thought possible. Yes, this one makes my blood boil.

Three Ways to Propagate Sugarcane
Very easy and so rewarding! You can propagate bamboo via any of these same three ways too.

One Way to Process Your Own Homegrown Sugarcane
Something everyone with sugarcane needs to do at least once! Be prepared for a small yield for all the material and time put into obtaining it though.

Society Garlic: When Garlic and Garlic Chives Had a Love Child
Absolutely! When you want both a strong taste and visual appeal, this blows both garlic and garlic chives out of the water. A must-have for all lovers of strong garlic.

Item 4: Newly-Listed Items
Saffron (Crocus sativus) in 50 mm Tube

Yacon (Peruvian Ground Apple) (Smallanthus sonchifolius) Rhizome Clumps

Heirloom Sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) Stem Piece, Cultivar 1

Heirloom Sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) Stem Piece, Cultivar 2

Society Garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) in 90 mm Bottomless Pot

Young Pigeon Pea Tree (Cajanus cajan) in 90 mm Bottomless Pot

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Thank you for reading! Please never hesitate to get in touch with any questions either as I am more than happy to help in any way I can.

Best regards,

Kristi Ellinopoullos