For many years I have yearned to grow plants from seed, but for one reason or another, haven't been willing to do what it would take to have that happen. I need to let you know though that it doesn't take much.
Now that we are at 'Near River' with space, a ready built shade house, and a few acres of natural bushland at our doorstep, there has been little stopping me.
Having studied Natural Area Restoration before leaving Sydney, and then spending six months with Bolwarra Bushland Services regenerating the Thone River around the Comboyne township, getting our own propagation area going has been relatively easy and enjoyable.
Picking up tips from a seasoned professional is always a good way to start, and Matt Bailey from Bolwarra Bushland Services was great with the helpful hints that he provided.
The plants that we are propagating will be used around 'Near River' and provide the shelter belts and boundary plantings that we need for protection for our crops and livestock. In addition, over time, we will regenerate and replant the watercourses that adjoin and run through the property.
We have started small, and have been lucky to chose a variety of species that are providing encouraging results.
Probably one of the most common Australian native plants, and certainly one of the easiest to grow from seed is Lomandra longifolia, the Spiny-headed Mat-rush. Hardy and tolerant of most conditions, the plants preferred natural environment is highly varied, from exposed sand dunes to rainforest. A common tufted plant, they are characterised by their tough, strap-like leaves and large inflorescence with spiny bracts at the base of each flower cluster.
Here at 'Near River', they occur along our riverbank where they provide excellent stabilisation control of the banks with their extensive root system binding the soil. We will use our propagated plants to rehabilitate areas as we clear away the Lantana, a vicious environmental weed that thrives along our eastern seaboard areas. Additional plantings will also be used in a more amenity style, as a low hedge-like barrier between our drive and market garden to minimise the dust caused by traffic along the driveway.
Producing profuse amounts of seed which is ready for collection in the warmer months of the year, usually early January, Lomandra germinates quite easily. Using a 50/50 sand and peat moss mix as a germination bed, and keeping this moist under a poly roofed cover, the seeds started sprouting in no time at all.
From here the seedlings were 'pricked out', and placed in tubestock pots, filled with a regular potting mix augmented with a healthy amount of sand. Since then, we've applied water as needed, and monthly applications of compost and/or worm tea. I must say the results are really inspiring!
We've also got a few other species coming along well too, including a large quantity of Sandpaper Figs, Ficus coronata, some Blackwoods, Acacia melanoxylon, and a handful of Lilli pilli's, Acmena smithii. And the seed stock has been collected from our property.
If you are interested in the propagation of Australian native plants, a couple of helpful sites are the Society for Growing Australian Native Plants, and the Australian National Botanic Gardens. I'm certain that your local library will also have a collection of relevant books as well.
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