I bought some packets of Australian Wildflower Seeds a couple of years
ago and they recently worked themselves to the surface of my box of
seeds. Would they still be viable?
I knew the pea family ones would be - Kennedia, Gompholobium,
Bossiaea, Hovea, etc. But I was very doubtful about the others.
I usually abrade or nip the hard seedcases of the pea family, but the
back of the packet said to pour boiling water on the seeds and allow it
to cool overnight before sowing. I did that for most of the seeds but also
did my usual routine for a few from each package. Well, the packet
instructions were the best - Indigofera australis germinated almost
immediately. The rest are slower, but I am sure they will also do well.
The only non-pea I have tried so far is Anigozanthos mangliesii, the
red and green kangaroo paw. I was very dubious about the instructions
which were fine until I came to the part about water. Sow on surface
of sterilized sandy soil, add Wildflower Seed Starter granules (I shook a
bottle of natural mesquite Liquid Smoke over the seeds), submerge a
quarter of the pot in water, put on a clear plastic cover and put in a warm
shady place. Mine is on a windowsill in a heated room. I have never
germinated anything in a pot sitting in water, though I guess waterlilies
might need that treatment.
Well, it's been a couple of weeks and a kangaroo paw has sprouted!
I guess I had better sow the rest of the packets.
