Seed preparation, Planting & Potting
Collecting and preparing seeds
When you collect your own seeds check the biosecurity of the bush. The seeds should be from the local bush area, not seeds from a garden centre’s plants. It is also best to record the name of the seed and the place and date you collected them. Some fleshy seeds, for instance Tawa, need to be soaked for two to three days in water so that the flesh can be washed off, in a drainer for example, with a water hose. Small dry seeds such as manuka, kanuka and rata can be collected by cutting a branch with seed heads about to seed. Put the whole branch in an open plastic supermarket bag and hang it in a dry place. Several weeks later, shake the seeds into the bottom of the plastic bag and remove the branch. Seeds should be spread out in a warm place to dry and prevent fungal problems. Store seeds in dry cool conditions (like in the bottom of the fridge) if not needed immediately. Seeds including Tawa, Karamu, Karaka, Kahikatia, Kohekohe, Kanuka, Manuka, Kawakawa, Ngaio, Karo, Lemonwood, Totara, Miro, Matai and Poroporo need cold treatment to stimulate germination. Stratification (cold treatment): After soaking the seeds in water for 12–24 hours, mix them with a moisture retaining medium such as sand, peat or well-rotted sawdust. The mixture of seeds and medium is placed in a container or jar in a fridge for 2–5 weeks. Don’t forget to label the containers.Sowing seeds
For best results you will need to use good potting mixtures. Potting mix specifically developed for native trees can be supplied. Please ask your seedling organiser for details. Big seeds should be sown straight into a milk carton filled with potting mix. Cardboard milk cartons are preferable because the seedlings grown in these do not need to be transplanted as the milk carton will dissolve in the ground. Punch drainage holes in the bottom, trim or fold down the top of the carton to leave approximately 10-15 cm height for the potting mix. We can supply these cartons if unavailable to you. Please do not use plastic milk containers or plastic pots as these then have to be carried back from the bush by our volunteers. Smaller seeds should be sown in a seedling tray or ice cream container (with holes in the bottom for drainage). If you cover the container with plastic wrap, you need to water them only every three days or so. Label containers. Containers should be placed in indirect light, not direct sunlight. Some seeds take a long time to germinate, keep watering and checking them. Once your seeds in seedling trays have reached about 2 cm or have 2-4 leaves, they can be transplanted into milk cartons. Your tree seedlings need TLC for about 2 years before they will be planted out in Maara Roa. Joyce Wilson (Ph 232 7605) may be able to help you to identify seedlings. For information, ring Dorothy (233 1346), Anne (232 7495) or Neil (235 5501).Potting
Potting on mornings are fun!! We have the use of a sheltered potting area in Porirua College and spend a Saturday morning with “our hands in the soil”. Seedlings that have been grown at home, purchased or donated are transferred to the milk cartons where they are left a year or two before being played out in the covenant.
