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Growing pōhutukawa is a
rewarding activity that helps to
ensure these trees are here for
future generations to enjoy. It is
important not to bring in seed
from another part of the country.
Take seed from trees that are
growing naturally rather than
those that have been deliberately
planted.
Collecting seed
Seed is usually mature by March-April, and
most of it is released over a period of 2-3
weeks. Collection can begin as soon as a major
proportion of the capsules on lower branches
are found to be open or partially open. Pick
a dry day, hold a large bag over a cluster of
seed capsules and either shake it to produce
thousands of tiny seeds or carefully cut clusters
of capsules and place in the paper bag. Use seed
quickly – pōhutukawa and rātā seeds lose their
viability quickly.
Beachcare education: Grow your own po- hutukawa
Propagating the seed
• Prepare a number of shallow seedling trays.
Fill to 5cm with sterilised seed-raising mix or
leaf-mould and loam (finely sieved and free of
weeds).
• Sow the seed thinly on the dampened mix.
Thick sowing may cause the seedlings to rot.
• Cover the seed very thinly with fine sand
(pumice sand is recommended) – the seeds
should be barely covered. Lightly water.
Note: avoid coastal sand because its high salt
content may kill the seedlings.
• Cover the tray with a sheet or two of newspaper
(or keep the trays out of direct light/in a low light
area) for a maximum of a week.
• Check from seven days on. As soon as
germination starts, remove the paper and
water lightly with a fine mist spray. Keep the
soil just moist. Don’t over-water.
• Keep the seedlings in a sheltered spot out of
the wind and direct sun, and away from frost.
At about three months, the seedlings should
be around 1cm high with four to six leaves.
At this stage, prick them out into separate
containers (plastic yoghurt and margarine
containers with drainage holes poked in the
bottom make ideal containers).
• The planting mixture should be a commercial
potting mixture or a leaf/loam mixture with
added fertiliser. Ensure the plants are well-
watered.
• After three to four weeks, when the seedlings
have recovered from the replanting,
progressively introduce them to stronger light
until they can tolerate full sunshine.
• Pot into larger containers as the plants grow.
Trees need to be grown for two years before
planting out.
This information is adapted from “Pōhutukawa:
Ecology, Establishment, Growth, and Management”
by David Bergin and Gordon Hosking, with
photos by Jonathan Barren, and from the Project
Crimson website.
Large numbers of pōhutukawa seed can be collected
by shaking lower branches to dislodge seed into
collection containers beneath or by carefully cutting
clusters of capsules containing seed. Paper bags that
keep seed dry are preferred to plastic bags.
These capsules are full of seed which is about to
be released.
Do not collect the empty dark brown seed capsules
that sometimes persist on trees
from the previous year.
Seed is broadcast sown over a seed tray.
Newly germinated seedlings of pōhutukawa
in a seed tray.
Transplanting of seedlings from the seed tray to
the first container.
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