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Volunteer Information - Setting up to Grow -
Collecting your kit> Filling the tubes>- PREPARING THE SEEDS -  Sowing the seeds>

While the instructions on the packet of seeds shold alert you to special treatment, see also below.

From the Grower Manual Appendix 1 - Table of Sowing Requirements and Germination Times

Species	Treatment Before Sowing and other Notes	Sowing	Germination
ALL GRASSES	None. Note - Don’t thin out (multiples per tube are fine for grasses)	Sow 1 cm deep. Firm the potting mix. Thin layer of gravel.	various
Acacia species	All acacias need the hot water treatment. See below for method.	Sow 1 cm deep Firm the potting mix gently. Thin layer of gravel.	10-28 days
Acacia stenophylla	This has a very hard seed coat which has to be nicked with nail clippers or knife before sowing. Take a small section out of the coat on the end away from the white attachment. Takecare not to damage the inner seed.	Sow 1 cm deep. Firm the potting mix. Thin layer of gravel.	10-28 days
Allocasuarina species and Casuaria cristata	None	Cover with half cm of potting mix and firm down gently. Thin layer of gravel.	7-28 days
Atriplex	None	Cover with one cm of potting mix and firm down gently. Thin layer of gravel.	7-14 days
Banksia marginata	This species often takes a long time to germinate.	Cover with half cm of potting mix and firm down gently. Thin layer of gravel	6-10 weeks
Bracteantha	Prone to damping off (see appendix 2 Problems and Trouble Shooting). Avoid watering leaves.	Surface sow with fine layer of gravel.	14 – 28 days
Bursaria spinosa	A strange one - winter germinating - needs cool days and cold nights. Prone to damping off (see appendix 2 Problems and Trouble Shooting).	Sow on top of firm damp potting mix. Thin layer of gravel.	unknown
Callistemon species	None	Sow on top of firm damp potting mix. Thin layer of gravel.	14-28 days
Callitris species	Sow at the middle of March. Seed can be soaked in cold water for a few days, but it germinates naturally during the cooler months anyway. These of course will not be ready for Autumn planting - they may be ready for Spring or even can be held over by the Landholder until the following Summer. Hand them on with the rest of your seedlings for the Landholder to care for.	Sow 1 cm deep. Thin layer of gravel.	. 30-60 days
Cassia	These have been scarified. Hot water and soak as for Acacias. Can be nicked like Acacia stenophylla.	Sow one cm deep. Thin layer of gravel.	10-30 days
Cassinia	Surface sow. Seed contains flower capsules and seeds – sow all material (it is too fine to separate.	Surface sow with fine layer of gravel.	14 – 28 days
Craspedia	None. Will germinate at higher temperatures, so keep in a warm environment.	Surface sow, with fine layer of gravel.	14 – 21 days
Daviesia	Very hot water treatment for 30 seconds, followed by soaking in cold water for 4 or 5 hours.	Sow on top of firm damp potting mix. Thin layer of gravel.	7-14 days
Dillwynia	as for Daviesia	as for Daviesia	unknown
Dodonaea	None needed, but hot water for 30 seconds then rapid cooling will hasten germination.	Sow ½ cm deep, with thin layer of gravel.	14 – 21days.
Eucalypt species	The following species require refrigeration prior to sowing for ( ) weeks: Eucalyptus delegatensis (6-10 weeks) Eucalyptus dives (3 weeks) Eucalyptus macrorhyncha (2 weeks) Eucalyptus nitens (3 weeks) Eucalyptus pauciflora (3-6 weeks) Eucalyptus regnans (3-4 weeks) Eucalyptus willisi (4-6 weeks)	Sow on top of firm damp potting mix. Thin layer of gravel.	7-30 days
Geranium	Hot water treatment for 30 minutes only.	Sow on top of firm damp potting mix. Thin layer of gravel.	unknown
Goodia	as for Daviesia	as for Daviesia	unknown
Hardenbergia	Hot water treatment – see below	Sow 1 cm deep. Firm the potting mix. Thin layer of gravel	unknown
Helichrysum	Prone to damping off (see appendix 2Problems and Trouble Shooting). Avoid watering leaves.	Sow on top of firm damp potting mix. Thin layer of gravel.	14 - 28 days
Hymenanthra	None	Sow 1/2cm deep. Thin layer of gravel	Very slow – can be 45+ days.
Kennedia	Hot water treatment – see below	as for Acacia	unknown
Kunzea	None - Potting mix must be kept very wet to germinate so give extra water.	Sow on top of firm damp potting mix. Thin layer of gravel	15 – 45 days
Leptospermum	None. Potting mix must be kept very wet to germinate, so give extra water.	Sow on top of firm damp potting mix. Thin layer of gravel.	15-45 days
Melaleuca species	None	Sow on top of firm damp potting mix. Thin layer of gravel.	10-30 days
Ozothamnus	As for Helichrysum	As for Helichrysum	14- -28 days
Pittosporum phylliraeoides	This seed has a waxy coating which can be removed by washing. Mix a solution of warm to hot water and detergent, then rub seeds between hands in the solution. Soak in fresh water for 24 hours, then sow.	Sow 1 - 1.5 cm deep. Firm potting mix down. Gravel - 2 layers. It is important that seed is well covered with soil.	10-30 days
Podolepsis	Prone to damping off (see appendix 2 Problems and Trouble Shooting)	Sow on top of firm damp potting mix. Thin layer of gravel.	unknown
Pultenaea	Very hot water treatment for 30 seconds, followed by soaking in cold water for 4 or 5 hours.	Sow on top of firm damp potting mix. Thin layer of gravel.	unknown
Solanum	None. Good germination rates.	Sow ½ cm deep with layer of gravel.	14 – 21 days
Viminaria	Hot water treatment – see below.	Sow 1 cm deep. Firm the potting mix. Thin layer of gravel	7 – 14 days

Hot Water Treatment - Put the seed into an appropriate container and pour on water that has just boiled. Soak for 24 hours and sow the seeds which have swollen. Treat again those not swollen - soak again and sow. Any seeds that float or do not swell should be discarded as they are infertile.

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If you have any questions that are not answered,  situations that are not covered or suggested photos to add, please contact the office ph (03) 9650 9477 or email info@treeproject.asn.au Modified August 2006