Leucospermum calligerum

Germination Hints

Leucospermum require good day/night temperature fluctuation as we get from the end of our summer (end March) into autumn- warm days – cooler nights.

The nut seeded species germinate well if the seed is heated for a very short burst followed by rapid cooling as would happen as a fire sweeps through the natural environment. This serves to crack the hard seed coat allowing oxygen and moisture to enter and the endosperm to germinate.

Pre-treatment …

• Place seed in cold room 2 weeks prior to sowing.
• Soak seed in water for 24 hours to soften the seed coat.
• Remove the elaisome covering (the white plastic-like coating).Underneath the seed is black. You can rub the elaisome off with your fingers or place in a collecting bag and rub. The seed is so hard you will not damage it.
• Mix up the following treatment… 400ml Hydrogen Peroxide 1% solution, 800ml water, 5ml smoke water (stored in milk containers in the cold room!)
• Place seeds in this solution for 24 hours. You will see that the seeds that previously floated now sink.
• Rinse the seeds with water, just before ready to sow, a day or two.
• Pat dry and dust with fungicide

Sow the seeds as soon as possible.

Rather than throw away seeds that do not float plant them they sometimes still germinate.