You can, and I have, but there are issues to consider which include weight (a big issue) stiffness...flannel flows much better than say an upholstry weight fabric) and pattern...a huge issue as that tiny print might not seem to show through when you hold it behind the fabric you are using as your drapes, but add sunlight...wa'la, the flowers look like crap coming through the top fabric. Another issue is just pure stregnth. Flannel blocks out the sun and protects your top fabric from the severe damage that even a year hanging can cause to your drapes. A less dense weave won't do this and you could find that your drapes fade badly or break down (including the lining fabric). One thing I've used as a lining and backing is coat lining. Satin on one side and flannel on the other, it's a wonderful one step answer if you can find it on sale in a light color. I have bundles and bundles of silk that I've purchased for less than nothing....and have to say, that even when it hurts I line with flannel. If you break down your costs and compare them to what the correctly made pieces would have cost you, even at full price the flannel won't be a bad investment. It's the rare material that really does what it's made to all the time...and hard to skimp past for a good finished product.

If you Google it nod, you'll find plenty of comments on Mushroom Compost, some good, some not so good. My experience with it doesn't extend beyond adding it to my (general) compost bin, along with goodly dollops of blood and bone, chicken manure and dolomite lime. I've always regarded it as a ph neutral soil conditioner. Ok, but not essential. B.

Nod, I can't really "google up" anything of use, other than that they are pollinated by insects - (what a surprise). If you want to search a bit yourself the botanical name is Actinotus helianthi. I grew up in Sydney on the south side where they were then common enough in the sandy bush around our area, congrats on trying them up here. I should just use a soft paintbrush (kids art brush style) to try to move pollen from one flower to another, both mornings and afternoons, just tickle round and see what happens. I do read though that propagation from seed is a bit sporadic though cuttings sometimes work and now they are tissue culturing it (there, you may have a purpose to go further with that). Since they are being trialed for the cut-flower industry most of writings seem to be slanted that way - I found an article by the australian government on commercial propagation but can't seem to post the link.

Why take the risk? Macbirch, I understand exactly what you're saying. Planting natives does sometimes/often seem like a risk because we just don't have the collective knowledge about natives as we do exotics. About 2 years ago, I wanted to plant a hedge along the boundary between my native garden and my neighbour's property. I really liked the idea of using waratahs, but at that stage I'd never tried to grow one, and, since you don't see them around that much, thought they must be difficult. I decided not to take the risk and planted callistemons instead, at least they where natives. Anyway, I've since had great success growing 2 waratahs (even moved one), so I've decided to take out the callistemons, which aren't getting enough sun anyway, and replace them with waratahs. My point is that if I'd had the confidence in the first place, and got some decent advice from my local nursery, I wouldn't be now, 2 years down the track, going to all the work and expense of replacing the callistemons with what is afterall, a plant indigenous to the Blue Mountains! You'd think there'd be a waratah nursery here wouldn't you? No, I have to drive 40 minutes just to get to a native nusery, and that looks like it could close down any time soon. Waz, young people like you are the key. I hope you never grow exotics, never learn about them or decide you like them. Oh, and I hope you and Artie continue to be outspoken about people like me who grow roses. If I build another house and start a garden from scratch, things will be different.