Anigozanthos manglesii seeds – ( Kangaroo Paw)

Description

Picture thanks to Hello Hello Plants https://www.thetutuguru.com.au

This kangaroo paw is a well known one , as it is the western Australian floral emblem.  It is very similar to the picture above which is a  compact form of A. manglesii.  It has red and green velvety  flowers which are borne on long stems up to 120 cm .  They make  an excellent cut flower, and will flower in their second year from seed. The plants themselves grow well in sandy  and gravelly well drained soils in full sun to part shade, and form clumps of strap – like leaves.  They will do well in the garden , provided that they are protected from snails and slugs which love them.  They  can also be used as pot plants, and look good on a balcony.  They are attractive to birds which love their nectar. The plant tolerates light frost only  , so if your region gets  heavy frost, then  grow it as a potted plant so you can move it under shelter.

Sowing advice

The  recommendation is to apply  a smoke treatment for this seed to germinate well.

Method 1 :Use a ready made solution such as :

• Biogrow seed soak

Method 2: A cheap option and one which has worked well for us  is to use a covered object such as a kettle barbecue or  large tin can with lid or similar which can contain the fire. Buy some vermiculite from your garden centre.

• In  the  BBQ or tin can object, put  the material you will use for generating smoke , such as dryish grass or wood chips or dryish leaves, in the base of the container.
• Light the material, and allow it to smoulder.
• Place the vermiculite in an open  container , and put this container into the  barbecue , tin etc, on a  rack above the base fire. Put the lid on the barbecue ,tin etc
• You may need to replenish the fire material a few times if it stops smouldering
• Leave the vermiculite inside  the covered BBQ /tin /etc for  about 30 mins
• Remove the vermiculite, and store in a sealed container

Follow the makers directions for the first method.

For the second method mix a small amount of the smoked vermiculite into the seed raising mix. Sow the seeds on the surface of the  seed raising mix. Sprinkle the seed lightly with some smoked vermiculite. Do not let the mix completely dry out.  Ideal temp range 18-22 deg C. Germination should occur within a month, but can take longer .  Should this occur, set the seed pot aside somewhere and don’t discard as they often germinate when conditions suit them.

We can sometimes supply a very small  amount of smoked vermiculite with your seeds.