Title image above is copyright © Kristi Ellinopoullos

First published 5th July 2026

Hello everyone, welcome again to this supposedly bi-monthly newsletter that didn’t make it for June. Please see Rats Ringbark Trees and Using Fruit Protection Bags and Sleeves to Protect Saplings and Young Trees below for reasons as to why!

Again keeping to the format of previous newsletters:

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Item 1: Things of Beauty
Four to share this time:
1. For a journey into the indigenous produce and magnificent scenery of Java, Indonesia, please do check out Farouk’s “Organic Grow” YouTube Channel.
2. This local display of bromeliads on a palm tree is so inspiring.
3. Have you ever seen a baby Norfolk Island Pine beginning life?
4. The last item is also the Wollongong Botanic Garden feature for this newsletter: the Kawasaki Bridge is at long last being repaired!. “Repaired” wasn’t the word we’d choose — you’ll see! We did have a little chuckle but it’s all good. We are so looking forward to the return of this most magnificent bridge!

Item 2: Something Different
Preparing potpourri with a fruit protection sleeve.

Item 3: Plants of the Month Since Last Newsletter
Plant of the Month: May 2026
Aquatic Mosquitofern Azolla pinnata
Available here.

Plant of the Month: June 2026
Common Duckweed (Lemna minor)
Available here.

And because I was late with this newsletter:
Plant of the Month: July 2026
Fruit Salad / Fruity / Potpourri Sage (Salvia dorisiana)
Available here.

Item 4: Other New Blog Posts Since Last Newsletter
PSA Concerning Fake Cloudflare Verification

AI Slop and Technology “Advancement” is Insufferable

PSA on How to Never See Ads on the Internet

Quick and Easy Somewhat Waterproof Rat and Mouse Bait Station

Using Fruit Protection Bags and Sleeves to Protect Seeds and Seedlings

Rats Ringbark Trees

Using Fruit Protection Bags and Sleeves to Protect Saplings and Young Trees

Quickly Constructing Vegie Bed Protection

New Update on the Aerial Rootin’ Shootin’ Sugarcane

Sugarcane Propagated Two Different Ways

Item 5: Newly-Listed Items
MIX: Aquatic Mosquitofern (Azolla pinnata) and Common Duckweed (Lemna minor)

All our cards are produced in-house by us — 100% designed and printed in Australia:
5″ × 7″ Botanical Blank Cards

Fruit Salad / Fruity / Potpourri Sage (Salvia dorisiana) Cuttings in 50 mm Tube

Fruit Salad / Fruity / Potpourri Sage (Salvia dorisiana) Leaves For Potpourri

Young Heirloom Sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) Settling, Cultivar 1, Potted

Young Heirloom Sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) Settling, Cultivar 2, Potted

Heirloom Sugarcane (Saccharum sp.)Sugarcane Settling ( Rooted, Shooting Sett), Cultivar 2

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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