AusBonsai

I have some Melaleuca seeds and would appreciate anyone's input on how best to propagate them. Stories of success and how it was achieved would be much appreicated
Note: For links to other threads I've recently started on seed propagation, check this thread: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2348

Mix with fine sand to make it easier to spread, spread on surface of prepared seedling tray, cover very lightly with sandy mix, water and stand back.

Place in protected spot neither full sun or heavy shade.

Similar for Leptospermum

Grant Bowie wrote:Mix with fine sand to make it easier to spread, spread on surface of prepared seedling tray, cover very lightly with sandy mix, water and stand back.

Place in protected spot neither full sun or heavy shade.

Similar for Leptospermum

Great! I've done a little reading on this one, and was talking to a local nurseryman (Will Fletcher of Island Bonsai), and they seemed to both say that basically sprinkling the seeds on the top of some propagation sand and then pressing them in would be the way to do it.

They also mentioned possibly making the mixture 80-85% propagation sand and 15-20% sphagnum moss. Then maybe cover the seeds very lightly, or just water lightly.

Do you think that could work too, Grant? You seem to have a LOT of experience with propagation from seed. What species/varieties have you done including your 12,000 pines!

Hey Japh,
I have just had some success with a similar method to the one Grant outlined. Got about 20 little Mel's coming up in a seedling tray.
I planted them about 2-3 weeks ago, have about 75% success but it's hard to tell since the seeds are practically dust!
I set up a seedling tray with some propagating sand and a small amount of perlite then placed a fine layer of sand on top of this. Wet the tray down well and waited for an hour or two to drain it off a bit.
Making a small divot in each pod with my finger, placing the seeds on a spoon or whatever is handy and just tapping the edge of the spoon to drop one or two specks of seed into each pod, then covering very lightly with some sand. Another good method I have used for fine seed varieties is to make a very shallow trench line with my finger and then drop a run of seeds down the trench before thinning out when they get up.
Hope this is of some use...hopefully in a few growing seasons I'll have lots of natives to play with!
Have fun - Pat

Japh wrote:

Grant Bowie wrote:Mix with fine sand to make it easier to spread, spread on surface of prepared seedling tray, cover very lightly with sandy mix, water and stand back.

Place in protected spot neither full sun or heavy shade.

Similar for Leptospermum

Great! I've done a little reading on this one, and was talking to a local nurseryman (Will Fletcher of Island Bonsai), and they seemed to both say that basically sprinkling the seeds on the top of some propagation sand and then pressing them in would be the way to do it.

They also mentioned possibly making the mixture 80-85% propagation sand and 15-20% sphagnum moss. Then maybe cover the seeds very lightly, or just water lightly.

Do you think that could work too, Grant? You seem to have a LOT of experience with propagation from seed. What species/varieties have you done including your 12,000 pines!

Melaleuca and/or Leptospermum Lanigerum, Laevigatum, Rotundifolia and a few others that I forget.

Mostly the seed is very fine, like dust or pepper, and the mixing with sand makes it easier to spread.

As I haven't done it any other way I can't comment with experience on other methods.