| March 2006 Bushman's friend newsletter |
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Hi
Kia ora and hello again.
With summer coming to its end many plants are heavy with seed. Birds such as waxeyes or tauhou are racing thriugh the garden gourging themselves on the berries of the Coprosma and Cordyline. It's a busy time for those of us collecting and propogating seeds.
However, once you have gathered the seed some form of seed preparation is usually necessary. Germinating native plant seed is often more of an art than a science. However, many people have experimented with methods of increasing germination success. Read the following short article on preparing seeds to germinate.
The scientific literature suggests native plants can be placed into a number of classes based upon the strategy the plant employs to aid germination.
Vivipary Where germination proceeds on the parent plant. There is no inhibition or delay in germination and embryo development and many features associated with seeds are absent.
Recalcitrance A high water content must be maintained even though the seeds may be dormant.
Avoid drying out of these species.The seeds should be sown as soon as collected and require the persistence of moist conditions
Quiescent Rapid germination following seeds dispersal.These seeds are quick to germinate and should be sown directly on collection
Dormant seeds These seeds require some form of stimulation from the environment to trigger germination.This may be light or a period of low or a critical temperature.
Low temperature. This is the requirement that the seed is subjected to a period of cold temperature to ensure germination or to speed up germination. For the horticulturalist it means seeds are placed in the refrigerator, usually at least one month. This is termed stratification. Seeds subjected to stratification generally germinate uniformly.
Light. It has been noticed that if soil or leaf litter is disturbed then a flush of germination by the seeds which were buried in the leaf litter or topsoil (termed the seed bank) may occur. Species which require light for germination are often opportunistic shrubs that may be found growing on disturbed soils.
Germination inhibitors. There are chemicals present in the testa or flesh of the fruit that need to be removed in order for germination to proceed. This is an adaptation that ensures that the seed does not germinate unless passed through the gut of a bird (and dispersed some distance from the parent plant), or the flesh has rotted away, which may be some time after seed dispersal.
Scarification. Germination is quickened if the seed's hard testa is nicked or cut with a scalpel or sharp knife prior to sowing.
The seeds may fit into more than one class. For a list of species sorted into the above classes check out this link which gives advice and particulars on seed germination strategies.
or you can order native plant seeds from here.
Some recent photos of plants rich in berry.
Dianella nigra, Inkberry, Turutu
Coprosma grandifolia
Myrsine australis matipo
The netguide awards are coming up in less than a month - giving you the chance to vote for your favourite site in the lifestyle category... ahem... (pick me, pick me!!!).....Click here to vote
Another happy customer. Dave and Miranda from Auckland came on the guided walk of the Wairakau stream track over summer. Dave liked the experience so much he wrote about it on his Blog. Check out his photos, comments and his website which also features other walking tracks around New Zealand.
Link of the Month: For Stock photography and professional images of New Zealand GRAHAM MEADOWS PHOTO LIBRARY contains stock photography specialising in animals, plants and natural history. GRAHAM MEADOWS PHOTO LIBRARY has a strong focus on New Zealand and feature scenic images (scenes) as well as native animals and plants. Best of all, it contains many images by the author of one of the best books on Native plants The Reed Field Guide to New Zealand Native Trees by J.T.Salmon.
I highly recommend you visit this site. J.T Salmons books can be ordered directly throughhere via FISHPOND
Don't forget all the usual great content....
Native plant seeds for sale and germination strategies.60 species. Growing native plants from seed is fun, value for money, rewarding and helps the environment.
Species information, :Advice and hints on identification and cultivation of 80 common genera or species.
Photo galleries of New Zealand native plants fruits, bark, wood, flowers. Appreciate the intrinsic beauty of NZ's flora.
Newsletter Archive. Have you missed previous panui?.
Surfers friend. Absolutely nothing to do with plants.You can purchase some great photographic prints here.
Links to other web sites with information about New Zealand plants
Wairakau stream guided bush walk and boat trip Experience Whangaroa's natural heritage, Botany, Geology and History along with its marine environment.
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Until next time,
look after yourself.. and nature.
Contact : Tony Foster 73 Campbell Rd. Totara North RD2 Kaeo
Northland New Zealand
Phone: 09 4051844
Tony in his office
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