Melaleuca by seed

[Joel]

Hi all!

Whilst on holidays, i managed to collect the seed of 3 different trees. 2 Mels and 1 that is either a Melaleuca or a Callistamon.Unfortunately, this holiday was the only time of the year i have access to these plants, and so i had to collect the seed now. I have, hopefully correctly, identified species one as "Melaleuca armillaris" and species two as "Melaleuca hypericifolia".

Now, many sites say to germinate the seeds in early spring. However, i know that the seedpods open up after exposed to fires, which are occurring currently, and over the last month or so. Should i try to germinate them now, or wait until spring? I have 1 clump of the small seed pods from each tree, which is probably about 100 seeds from each tree. Enough to experiment, i guess.

P.S. i know the time needed to grow bonsai from seed and cuttings, as i have done both before (still in training). Also, i wish to keep some for the garden.....both to grow on and train, and to just look good in the garden.

Thanks in advance!

JayC

[Asus101]

I'll do my seed now if you do yours now? we can fail together or succeed together.

[kcpoole]

I would go for it now... We have a good 3- 4 months growing to do before winter sleep time hits

[Joel]

I'll do my seed now if you do yours now? we can fail together or succeed together.

Deal! or should we wait for Pup? Nah, he only gets the good collected stuff.... Good point Ken, ill get sowing soon!

JayC

[Pup]

I'll do my seed now if you do yours now? we can fail together or succeed together.

Deal! or should we wait for Pup? Nah, he only gets the good collected stuff.... Good point Ken, ill get sowing soon!

JayC

I am lucky on that score too old for seed. Asus is going for it now.
Which is a good time as you look, at the trees Australian that is, you will see so much new growth they are pushing so.
Go for it and good luck.
Fire, smoke water, are all tried and true successful processes. Water that passes though heavy smoke.
Good luck Pup

[Steven]

I sowed some Callistemon seeds about 3 weeks ago and they are starting to sprout. Well, they were starting to sprout, now they are just a shriveled and brown from the 40 + days lately. If you have 100 + seeds then why not plant half now and half next Spring. Your bound to have reasonable success if you hedge your bets each way

Regards,
Steven

[Asus101]

I planted my seed about a week ago. I have about 20 or so small stalks that have pushed through the sand.
I now have to watch damping off and once they have a few sets of leaves work on transplanting into bigger pots.