AusBonsai

Hi everyone,
I had the opportunity to get some Casuarina seed pods a couple of weeks ago. The following link will show some photos of the beutiful flower. Casuarina Flowers

I have been able to plant the seeds. The following shows the process I used.

I place the pods in a paper bag. I didn't have a brown paper bag handy so I made my own.
It only took about a week for the seeds to pop. Each day I put the bag out in the sun.
Prparing the seed tray and soil

The tray had been used before, so I gave it a good wash in Dettol.
I lined the bottom of the tray with sphagnum moss.
I added bonsai mix on top of the sphagnum and formed furrows in the soil. The furrows were filled with sand and shallow furrows formed in the sand.
The seeds were placed along the furrows.
I covered the seeds with some sand, and gave them a good drink of Seasol.
Waiting time now. If they respond as well as my Trident Maples, I will be a very happy boy.

Each day I put the try out in a warm spot. I keep a spray bottle handy and give the soil a drink to keep the soil moist.

Regards Ray

Nice job Ray. Good luck

Are they Glauca?

bonsaibuddyman wrote:Nice job Ray. Good luck

Are they Glauca?

Thanks mate,
I'm not sure, the person who gave them to me wasn't sure of the species. When I checked on the WEB the tree that they came off looks like the images in Google that I linked to. The tree had very pretty red flowers. The flowers weren't very big. The photos of the Casuarina equisetifolia look very much like the tree them came off.

Regards Ray

Well, if it is equisetifolia, they make gorgeous little bonsai with their short needles. Good luck mate. I'll have to try growing some of them too, I haven't got any of those. They are quite popular in Asia.

bonsaibuddyman wrote:Well, if it is equisetifolia, they make gorgeous little bonsai with their short needles. Good luck mate. I'll have to try growing some of them too, I haven't got any of those. They are quite popular in Asia.

I'll ask my friend if he could measure the length of the needles. That may give us a better idea of the species.

Regards Ray

I've planted out seeds from a Black Sheoak, which has red flowers and is common in Victoria. The majority of the seeds came up. The only treatment they got was a soak in hot water over night. They were left outside on a exposed concert slab during the day and brought in when there was a frost.

I have 2 that I work now.

They like to send out deep roots to find water. Mine seem to like regular watering.

Hi everyone,
Good news, the seeds are already popping out. I'm pleased with the results, it's only been 11 days. When they get a little lager I will take some photos.

Regards Ray

Ray M wrote:Hi everyone,
When they get a little lager I will take some photos.

Regards Ray

Giving casuarina seeds beer is probably not recommended, but hopefully it will encourage a more dishevelled look to the growth.

bonsaibuddyman wrote:

Ray M wrote:Hi everyone,
When they get a little lager I will take some photos.

Regards Ray

Giving casuarina seeds beer is probably not recommended, but hopefully it will encourage a more dishevelled look to the growth.

Hi Rory,
Oops! I guess that will be a new process to try.

I was out today, and was quite warm here. When I got home tonight and checked the tray, there are quite a number of seeds that have popped.

Regards Ray

Hi all,
Here are a few photos of the new shoots. I gave them another drink of Seasol this morning.
Regards Ray

Hi all,
Update on the seeds. I have found this very fascinating seeing them change from a couple of leaves to taking shape and getting taller.
Regards Ray

It's the beer for sure....
Good luck with them!

G'day Ray,
When were the seed pods collected? I usually find the pods all open ... So I know my timing is off, way off!

CoGRedeMptioN wrote:G'day Ray,
When were the seed pods collected? I usually find the pods all open ... So I know my timing is off, way off!

Hi Elmer,
I collected them on the 3rd September 2014. I collected these on the Central Coast. My friend who lives there says he is always a couple of weeks ahead of us here in Sydney, as far as the weather is concerned. I presume your weather would be hotter than Sydney, so you may have to start looking at the beginning of August.

Regards Ray

Thanx Ray,
Like I said, way off! Lol...
We have a local caravan park that has Alocasurina trees and a I have seen a couple on the side of the road just down from me... Will have to investigate!
It is a nice looking tree.
Cheers
Elmar