Title image above is copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

First published 14th December 2025

Hello everyone, this is the last newsletter for this year 2025, and thank you for all who choose to receive these by email at all!

Again keeping to the format of previous newsletters:

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Item 1: Things of Beauty
Two to end the year with! The first are the amazing leafcutter bees.
The second is this mighty Queensland bottle tree (Brachychiton rupestris), which is also the Wollongong Botanic Garden feature for this newsletter.

Item 2: A Carnivorous Bromeliad
The running theme of these newsletters’ Item 2 has evolved into “different”, and Brocchinia reducta certainly is that!

Item 3: Plants of the Month Since Last Newsletter
Plant of the Month: November 2025
Dragon Fruit ‘Purple Haze’ (Selenicereus guatemalensis × Selenicereus undatus)
Available here.
This cultivar requires a cross-pollinator, hence:

Plant of the Month: December 2025
Dragon Fruit ‘Dark Star’ (also Selenicereus guatemalensis × Selenicereus undatus)
which also needs a cross-pollinator, making these a perfect pair! ‘Dark Star’ is available here.

Much thanks to Günter for both of these cultivars.

Item 4: Other New Blog Posts Since Last Newsletter
Having listed two dragon fruit cultivars, it was only right that the first new post be on how to grow them! Again with thanks to Günter for his advice:
How to Grow Dragon Fruit Successfully

I thought I’d lost these, when one day:
Dead Citrus Revivals

Doing a dig on saffron:
Growing Saffron

Three Air-Pot root reveals:
Tiger Grass (Thysanolaena latifolia)
Sandpaper Fig (Ficus sp.)
Silk Floss Tree (Ceiba speciosa) — with much thanks to Helen for this (no longer a) cutting which I absolutely love to bits!

This was so important to get out there, that I notified people on my mailing lists very soon after the postie told it to me:
Australia Post Parcel Delivery Scam

It wasn’t like this in the 90s and I’ve been out of touch since then. How utterly tragic and sad:
Science is Corrupt and Broken (Beyond Repair?)

Some sugarcane fun:
Rootin’ Shootin’ Sugarcane

Item 5: Newly-Listed Items
“Enviropebbles” and fine peat coir are back in stock.

Basket of Ferns with Selaginella kraussiana Companion

Dragon Fruit ‘Purple Haze’ (Selenicereus guatemalensis × Selenicereus undatus) rooted cuttings

Dragon Fruit ‘Dark Star’ (Selenicereus guatemalensis × Selenicereus undatus) rooted cuttings

Dragon fruit Cross-Pollination Pair: ‘Purple Haze’ and ‘Dark Star’ (both Selenicereus guatemalensis × Selenicereus undatus) rooted cuttings

Culinary Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Rhizome Clump in a Bucket (One-Off)

African Milk Tree (Euphorbia trigona forma rubra) in 3 L Air-Pot

Pair of Heirloom Sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) Stems: Cultivars 1 and 2

Rabbits Foot Fern (Davallia sp.) in Matte Black Ceramic Pot with Selaginella kraussiana
(This is the piece in the header graphic.)

Rhipsalis pilocarpa in 305 mm Metal Scrollwork Hanging Basket with Removeable Hanger

305 mm Metal Scrollwork Hanging Basket with Removeable Metal Chain Hanger

220 mm Woven Natural Grass Maya Hanging Basket

Matte “Sea Foam” Ceramic Pot with Drainage Hole and Attached Base

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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.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and relaxing Christmas, and an exceptional New Year 2026!

Best regards,

Kristi Ellinopoullos