[Garden] Tropical Medieval plants

[Shelby Canterford]

At 08:43 21/06/02 +1000, you wrote:
>I have recently moved to Gladstone, and am in dire need of some advice 
>about what herbs/plants I can grow in a Tropical/Subtropical location.

OK, firstly try some of the tropical fruits.  Most of them aren't as 
un-medieval as you may think, they're just not ever seen in western 
Europe.  I believe the mango is an example of this ( can anyone help 
here?).  Depending on where in Gladstone you are living your bigger problem 
is the soil type.  Most areas, particularly up on the hills, is very much 
red clay based.  There isn't much in the way of drainage and the soil when 
dry (which it is right now since you are in drought) is quite hard.

I had all sorts of troubles with the more traditional Europeans (rosemary, 
lavender etc).  Unlike Marie I never was successful at making basil grow, 
and my tomatoes never really took off either.  However my chives were 
unstoppable.  We grew sweet corn, capsicum and chilli quite easily.  I also 
had some medicinal herbs, penny royal is the only on that comes to mind but 
there were others, that went really well.  Our licorice grew well and all 
my friends were given Aloe Vera for Christmas every year to try and slow it 
down.  Lemon trees grow fabulously in Gladstone, my parent's tree 
continuously bears fruit.  Macadamia nuts are another possibility.  (Not 
period but damn are they good!)

The other thing you may want to consider is vanilla orchid.  It's 
reasonably hard work to make the thing go to seed (my mother uses a paint 
brush, but you have only a four hour window to do it in) but when you get 
it right you are rewarded with fresh vanilla beans.  I had one that didn't 
survive it's first Canberra winter, even though it was inside.  My mum 
regularly takes cuttings off her orchids, I'm sure I can obtain one for 
you.  You'll have to pick it up though, since you are somewhat closer than 
I am :-)

Shelby



Shelby Canterford			shelby@mail.watersprite.com.au
There are two means of refuge from the stresses of life.... music and cats.