Two viewers’ letters were mentioned on Burke’s Backyard recently. One included a photo of a 10 year old Grevillea ‘Pink Surprise’ which was covered in flowers and still looking like a very healthy plant. The grevillea had been pruned heavily twice a year, once in late November and again in late May. Pruning grevilleas will successfully produce abundant flowers each year and keep the plant young.

The second letter requested an explanation for the white staining that had appeared on a terracotta pot. Don’s opinion was that the white substance was caused by fertiliser deposits seeping through the terracotta. Overall it doesn’t detract from the appearance of the pot, in fact it can look quite attractive, and the plant appears healthy. The white stain could be removed by scrubbing it off with some water. Don warned that a check should be made to ensure the plant was not being over-fertilised.