Seeds of Australia

Hi folks, my friend is just back from a visit to Australia, she has brought me back some seeds I've heard of a couple of them but not all. I wondered if anyone had any info as to when and how I should plant them, they are in little capsules there is- Bottle Brush, Paper Bark, Desert Pea, Eucalypt, Wattle, KangarooPaw, Banksia, Waratah. She is expecting some plants back when they grow, she has such high expectations of me I'd hate to dissapoint her :eek:

 

Thanks MF, I'll have a look.I'm not sure where my avatar has gone :confused: my ratings seemed to drop as well so hid them, strange!

 

Dalbuie, Bottlebrush(Callistemon) are very easy to grow and many are hardy I have 7 varieties in the garden at present nearly all bursting with buds. Paper bark tree(Melaleuca) are just as easy to grow but are not quite as hardy.
You should sow both of these now, thinly in half pots with some heat (18-23c)not covering the compost but cover the pot/pots with glass or similar they should be up in a couple of weeks. I grow some every year and can usually plant them out in their second year and some flower in their third or fourth, it depends on the variety. Unfortunately yours are unknown and may not be as hardy in Scotland as further south.
Wattles (Acacia/Mimosa) are fairly easy as long as the seed is given a 24hr warm water soak and temp of 23/25c.
Banksias and Waratah are much harder like all of the protea family. Marleys links will give you more guidance, just thought i'd throw in some personal experience.

 

I've grown a couple of types of Banksias but they are not really hardy and do get big, leaves are nice but the flowers are better, but not reached that stage.
Waratah, I've also tried but never got passed the second year with

 

Desert pea, I've managed to flower but that was years ago and it took lots of attention and heat, not really easy.

 

Thanks for the advice, I will have to write it all down and get going, its quite exciting growing things you have never even heard of before. I'll keep you posted as to how I get on.

 

I take it the Desert Pea is Sturt's Desert Pea. I found them easy to grow and they make great compact house plants, with unusual flowers. I like them a lot.

The same with Kangaroo paw, with lanceolate leaves they also made good pot plants in a larger pot. I tried planting them outside, but they prefer it warmer.

I find bottlebrush seeds germinate in 3-5 days on a windowsill or greenhouse and grow into woody plants quickly. I left a pot of 6" seedlings out all winter and they have had no ill effects whatsoever.

I've no experience of any of the others.

[ 24. May 2006, 11:47 PM: Message edited by: Rich ]