Can I propogate my Wollemi pine?

QUESTIONS answered regarding Wollemi pines, pinkeye potatoes, potted poinsettias and mulch’s attraction to termites.

Wollemi pines in the wild.

MY seven-year-old Wollemi pine is shedding brown flakes from a prickly ball on a branch. Are these seeds? Can I propagate them?

Ken White, Werribee South, Victoria

The prickly balls are female cones. When pollinated by finger-like male cones they take 18 months to ripen before releasing winged seeds. Relatively few are produced in the wild. For details of research projects on seed germination by the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney see the Wollemi pine pages of its website: rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au.

Our pinkeye potatoes had tremendous top growth this year but few nuggets underneath. It was a new bed with a sprinkle of Rooster Booster.

Damien, Hobart

Too much nitrogen will encourage leaves at the expense of tubers. In cool areas plant potatoes in spring, allowing 12 to 20 weeks to harvest when the tops die down. Best tuber production is at 16C to 22C, so timing may be a factor for you. The higher you “hill” as they grow, the bigger the crop. Flowering signals the start of most tuber growth.

My potted poinsettia still looks good after a year inside with some afternoon sun. Should I repot from the 18cm pot? What else?

Cookie Lees, by email

Intended for short-term enjoyment indoors, potted poinsettias can last well in a bright spot. Pot up into a 25cm pot. Apply a soluble fertiliser twice a year. Poinsettias normally flower in winter but are manipulated using blackout curtains in glasshouses to flower at Christmas when sales peak. Expect them to revert to their normal cycle.

Do chipped mulches attract termites?

Amanda, Sydney

Woody and soft mulches don’t necessarily attract termites but do provide a food source and a means of easy and undetected travel over soil. Termites love constantly moist soil. Cypress mulch is termite resistant but not proof, especially as it breaks down. Keeping 50cm clear of mulch next to the house allows easier inspection. Termites are a fact of life and regular inspections or baiting strategies are necessary to protect your home.

Send your questions to: [e-mail] or Helen Young, PO Box 3098, Willoughby North, NSW 2068. Website: helenyoung.com.au. The best question for February wins two 45cm Australian-made outdoor cushions, worth $138, from the range at greatoutdoorcushions.com.au.