It’s not unusual for a single bud to grow into a cane several feet long. Some of my vigorous Concord vines will produce canes 12 feet long in one season.

In the barely three decades since their introduction to Australia, alpacas have been traditionally marketed as cute creatures that grow luxurious fibre for clothing.

Use a sharp knife to harvest buds. Once all buds have been removed, cut the stem to the ground. The fruit keeps in the refrigerator for about two weeks. Open flower buds are beautiful, but not edible.