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Re: Pretty Flowers... YES

Samantha asked:

Andrew!,
   how did you grow the seeds? I've been trying to grow b.coccinea, b.
menziesii
and d. formosa and they germinate and then rot. What was you method?

Your question, Samantha, is excellent and I can tell you I have had my
failures in propagating the Proteaceae. They can be very subject to damping
off. However, the idea is to give them a very porous, sterile mix (perlite,
coarse silica sand and a little vermiculite just to hold water after
germination) and to add some fungicide to the seed mix at time of sowing.
Cover the seeds lightly with fine, white sand. Leave them with lots of
fresh air around them. I think closing them up inside a greenhouse is a bad
idea; even worse is to place them in one of those propagation containers.
In a mild winter climate like on the Californian coast or in southwest
Australia no heat or protection should be necessary. Open sided lath-houses
work well.

I know the frustrations that come from losing seedlings that you have just
seen pop up. By the way, even in growing on stay with this mix plus some
peat to add some bulk for the young roots. I think you'll find the seed mix
above makes it easier to prick out the seedlings. Spray with fungicide
(Tera chlor is the one used here) at the first sign of mold or other
problems.

Before I close, Samantha, I have just noticed you are not in the US. I feel
a bit embarrassed to find myself talking about your plants! Anyhow, some of
the terminology (e.g. the sand types) I used will be different from yours.
What part of Oz are you in? Your bush house is our lath house and would
work fine in many parts. I understand that in eastern NSW and Queensland
the humidity may be a problem. Cool season may be a better time to sow
seed. Good luck!



Andrew
San Diego, California
awilson@fda.net
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