Re: Cordyline indivisa

Doobieous wrote: 
I was sent seeds of Cordyline indivisa from habitat by
a kind gent in New Zealand. I'm hoping i *might* be
able to get them to grow here in Foggy, cool Marina.
From what I've read it could be possible. However, I
haven't a clue how to go about germinating these in
the best way. I know that C. indivisa is a tricky
cousin to C. australis (which here is bulletproof and
easy), and I'd really love to be able to grow these.
So, does anyone from this list know how to germinate
these seeds? 

The seeds are freshly ripened. I was told they were
collected towards the end of August.

Barry
Having seen several commercially-raised plants pine away in local gardens here, I have never attempted C indivisa myself, but Laurie Metcalf, whose experience with growing NZ natives is second to none, has this to say :-"Being a plant of high rainfall regions and growing in cool mountain forests frequently shrouded in mists it demands a cool moist soil...In those part of NZ which experience a relatively high rainfall it is not difficult."

I once saw it growing wild in quantity, not in high forest but in scrubby regenerating stuff where individuals were standing up everywhere above most of the surrounding vegetation, and I envy you if you can achieve success. With its broad bright green leaves it is a most handsome species. Showy infloresences of purple and white flowers appear in midsummer and are followed by lots of purplish-blue round fruits which are very attractive to fruit-eating birds such as pigeons.

Regarding growing the species from seed Metcalf has this to say.
"(Cordyline) seed can be sown as soon a ripe, but stores well and will keep for 12 months in dry storage (preferably screw-top jars containing a desiccant) at 12-15°C... Seed of most species ripens between January and May but often remains on the plant for some time" (Probably the case with your August-gathered seed I should say).

Sowing - the seeds do not appear to call for any special conditions and they will apparently grow OK in any good seed-raising mix, where they should germinate in about two months. As to the best time to sow, August, when these seeds were apparently fully ripe, marks the last month of our winter, so early spring seems a logical time to start off the seeds. If you have plenty though, you could try some at midsummer and also in autumn.

Sowing at least appears to be quite easy. The subsequent stages though could be more tricky. Metcalf does in general recommend quite early pricking out to give individuals space to develop strongly without a severe check..If the little plants are raised inside I expect you would need to guard them carefully against any hot dry conditions.

Good luck with the venture

Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ.     Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
NEW PICTURES ADDED 4/Feb/2004

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