Eucalyptus anyone?

[Bonesy]

Anybody had any luck sourcing Eucalyptus seeds or cheap plants that are the natural type native to Australia?

I've been looking all day and not had much luck. All i can seem to find are the showy gardeners ones and I don't know if the different types are non-edible to budgies.

I want some in a playpen so the birds can nibble on it but I have to make sure it's the right one!

Advice on what the normal one in Aus is called greatly appreciated! it would narrow my search greatly!

[Karex]

lol make sure u get one that doesn't have a Koala on it

[Adf]

Dear Bonesy, it is very difficult to get appropriate species of Eucalyptus in Europe. Certainly some species are not edible for budgies. I would like to offer it to my budgies but I have no chance to get it either. You can look here: http://www.budgerigars.co.uk/forum/s...=2975´but I think you have found it formely too. Bye.

[Mindy]

I found this but it's in California

http://www.eucproducts.com/pricelist.html

Good luck!

[Bonesy]

Thanks guys, I've emailed them to see what species it is and hopefully will find some seeds once I know the genus name!

[Bonesy]

I recieved a reply.

Eucalyptus Globulus, aka Blue Gum, aka Australian fever tree is the type safe for all pets & birds.

I'm off to find some seeds!

[viv-ann]

Hi Bonsey, I have been looking at Eucalyptus species too - try the Chiltern Seed catalogue (on line as well) they list E. globulus. Jungleseeds.co.uk list Eucalyptus papuana (Ghost Gum) and Eucalyptus globulus.

I contacted someone at Australian National Herbarium CSIRO Plant Industry and the response was:

"Your comments about eucalypt species and budgerigars come as a surprise
to me. There certainly are a limited number of species of eucalypt (but
more than 5) that occur within the natural geographic range of budgies
and certainly none of them would be suitable for growing in the UK.
Budgies are found in grassland and open woodland in the interior,
especially the warmer northern interior, of this country, very hot
during the day, only seasonally wet and with very strong sunlight.

It is common practise to place leafy sprigs of eucalyptus in cages with
budgies here but I have never heard of any species being unsuitable.
Perhaps you could simply try a sprig taken from your nearest eucalypt
and let the budgerigars be the judge."

I'm not sure that I would be keen to do that, especially if you don't know if an insecticide or herbicide has been used on it or near it.

I did find a very interesting article on Breeding Behaviour of the Wild Budgerigar by Rob Marshall (I'm not allowed to post the URL)
in which there are about seven Eucalypt species mentioned that budgergiars nest in - but as it says above, not many would grow in the UK.

Seed (if they would germinate without any special treatment) could be grown in a greenhouse or conservatory and young growth used. The trouble with Eucalyptus (if they are hardy enough for the UK) is that they grow to be enormous (quickly).

[irish_vampire]

Just checked ebay they have Eucalyptus Globulus seeds for sale

[starbright]

Wow I would never have thought of Ebay.

Please post on here once you've sourced them because I would love to know. I might get some for my budgies.

[irish_vampire]

BLUE GUM - 75 Seeds - Eucalyptus globulus
buy it now price: £1.20 postage £1
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLUE-GUM-75-Se...QQcmdZViewItem