NATIVE PLANTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 13 April 1945, Page 3

NATIVE PLANTS

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS Further details on the germination of native seeds are given by Mr Frank. S. Holman in “Forest and Bird” as follows: — Koheriki (Melicope ternata): Sow about Jin deep in boxes. Keep moist by watering from below. Watering from the top will cause seedlings to damp off. Seeds ripe February to March. Kohutu (Pittosporum tenuifolium): Seed can be collected from some trees at almost any time of the year. Sow in. open ground and make the soil very firm- Seeds ripe February to March. Korokio (Corokia buddleoides): The flowers are bright yellow, whilst the fruits are dark red drupes. Seed should be sown l-Bin deep in a very firm seed bed, and shaded until the seedlings appear. Seeds ripe March. Kowhai (Edwardsia tetraptera): Seed comes up more quickly and there is a more even germination if boiling water is poured over it and left until the water cools. The age of this seed does not appear to matter. Seeds ripe January to February, Mahoe (Meiieytus ramiflorus). commonly, called Whitey Wood. Sow the seed about half an inch deep in a seed bed very firm below, but not quite so firm on top. Use either seed box or nursery bed. Seed ripe January to February. White Maire (Olea cunninghamii): Sow Jin deep in boxes of very firm soil. Increase the proportion of. leaf mould and reduce that of sand. Seeds ripe July to September. Manatu, or Lowland Ribbonwood (Plagianthus betulinus): Often confused with Houhere. It is very easily grown from seed in the open ground. Seeds ripe February to March. Mapou or Matipo (Suttonia australis): Seedlings are easily grown if seed is sown l-Bin deep in very firm soil and shaded until it germinates. This shrub is commonly but wrongly called Red Birch. It makes an effective hedge but has to be sprayed owing to liability to attack by a scale insect. Seeds ripe March to April. Miro (Podocarpus ferrugineus): Sow j Jin deep in boxes. It is. however, j very uncertain, and may take 18 to 24 months to germinate. The best method is to obtain young plants from the bush. Seeds Hpe May to July. Nein'el. or . Spiderwood (Dracophyllum latifolium): This is very uncertain in germination. Make a special mixture of one part loam and three parts leaf mould, but no sand. Make the seed bed as hard as possible and then sow the seed on the surface and dust this over, but do not press down. Seeds ripe February. Ngaio (Myoporum laetum): This is difficult to grow from seed, as it darqps off very easily. It is better grown from cuttings, but these will be difficult to strike. Seeds ripe February. Pate (Schefflera digitata): This is generally confused with Whauwhaupaku (five finger). It has. however. 7 to 10 fingers and a softer leaf. It requires very firm ground. Seed boxes are best. Do not use too much sand and sow about Jin deep. Seeds ripe March to April. Pohutukawa (Metrosideros tomentosa): Sow in a very firm soil with not more than l-Bin of fine soil over the seed. Cover with paper or glass until it germinates. Water sparingly from below, as it is very fine seed Seeds ripe January to February.