Bucket University

Almost all the green tree frog tadpoles have grown into froglets and "graduated" from the plastic bucket they called home, to the big wide world. All except for one. We've had the tadpoles since early February. They have survived a mini cyclone, my initial experiments in feeding them, plagues of mosquito larvae and visits from a neighbour's inquisitive cat.

The thought that tree frog tadpoles consume mosquito larvae is a myth. I have witnessed many a tadpole surface for air right near mosquito larvae and completely ignored them. The fact that these larvae developed in multitude to latter stages also proves the lack of interference from tadpoles.

Contrary to popular belief, green tree frog tadpoles also don't eat each other. The dead tadpoles I found (two in total) bobbed on the surface unmolested and intact. What caused their deaths, I know not, but I assure the reader there was plenty of water and food.

Green tree frog tadpoles are definitely herbivores. Once developed however, grown frogs eat insects and spiders, smaller frogs and even small mammals.

Here's an example of a 'graduate frog' in the backyard (note the tail):

Going Bananas!

Looking out from an upstairs window this morning, my boyfriend remarked "What the heck is that on my banana?" We were both in the bathroom at the time, so it could have led to all sorts of smart comments. However, we both ran excitedly downstairs to investigate the bigger of the two banana trees in the backyard.

Upon a closer look, we found that the banana tree was starting to form the beginnings of a BUNCH of bananas! Having never seen how these actually take shape, I was naturally intrigued. I have seen fully developed bunches, replete with pendulous purple hearts, but never one in its infancy. Here's a picture...

I'd also fertilised and mulched the banana trees the day before, so I thought it was a bit cheeky that my partner could call them his bananas! But fair enough, he had bought and planted them as young plants, so they could be seen as his banana trees.

On a side note, due to the cyclones which have devastated banana-growing regions of Australia, the prices of bananas have quadrupled. Usually around $3 p/kg, bananas can now cost as much as $12 p/kg in supermarkets.

So we're definitely looking forward to the day when these beauties ripen into yellow, golden goodness which we can munch on! Definitely worth their weight in gold at the moment.

First Taste!

We finally tasted our first home-grown passionfruit this morning!

My boyfriend found two ripened passionfruits which had fallen off the vine. One was perfectly juicy and sweet. However, the other had started to rot a little.. very disappointing.

At least now we know when to pick them off before they're over ripe. I have been eyeing the passionfruit for weeks now, but have resisted temptation so far. Who knew my patience would outlast the ripening process? We've had a LOT of rain lately too, which may have helped the rot factor.

MMMmmmm.. I know of at least 3 other passionfruit ripe for the picking!!

The colour of ripened Panama Red is a dull pink. You can wait until it becomes a more brilliant shade of red, but that runs the risk of other critters (which also LOVE passionfruit!) eating it before you do.

Yellow means the fruit isn't quite ready yet, just halfway. And green is definitely NOT ripe.