Is the "Nuytsia floribunda"so difficult to grow,as it's written on books ??

Yes.

I know people who grow stuff I can only dream about who have trouble with WA christmas bush. It is a saprophyte and needs suitable hosts.

(Incidently, it has been known to cut through telephone cables thinking that they are roots!)

Thank you Nathanhurst,but i can hardly beleive it,i have read,that even grass,like a host ,could suits it....

Well feel free to try, but I'm just telling you like it is. Also worth noting is that it doesn't flower for 30 years or something.

"I suppose,it should be common in S.W.A gardens !! "

I can honestly say I have never seen one in a suburban garden, they are common in bushland, and remnant bushland around the Perth area though. Ive never seen them for sale either. this might be because of the difficulty in propogating them, although I cant say for sure, you just dont see them in cultivation (but that's just from my passive observation).

I always think anything is worth trying, you could get them into the ground and see what happens?

trance

Nathanhurst,remenber what Napoleon said"impossible n'est pas Français"impossible is not French!
It's a joke,but i inted to visit SWA during April,i shall try to bring back a small plant,and will have a try,it's a so nice tree!
Trancegemini,i hope not having to confirm what you said,about the absence of that tree in the SWA gardens....it seems that there is not so much SWA gardeners in this forum,compared to Eastern side !!maybe they are all on the beaches,or drinking beers,instead of trying to grow the Christmas tree!!
phil

phil

Phil
Don't wish to rain on your parade too much, but in regard to popping over to WA and collecting a Nuytsia to take back to France, there are some minor impediments.

1. WA natural flora is strictly protected and it is illegal to collect plants or even seed from the bush without a permit.
http://www.calm.wa.gov.au/plants_animals/protecting_flora.html#law

2. A quick check of the AQIS site finds Nuytsia listed as a prohibited import to the European Union.
http://www.aqis.gov.au/phyto/asp/ex_restriction.asp?ID=72022&Index=0amp;RecordCount=1

Perhaps you should just admire them and take photos?

Dan

Perfect Dan,i did not know that!

Phil

Try contacting Dani Mutch at Grasstrees Australia. She can help you with information and could possibly even help you import the tree!

Email: grasstrees@multiline.com.au

Regards

Geoffa

Here is a link that might be useful: Grasstrees Australia

Try seed and couch grass - fools rush in and out... sometimes they are lucky and happy. Look here (seed from 6/06)

Look here

http://www.iphpbb.com/board/viewtopic.php?nxu=24980450nx21525&p=2237#2237

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/5029/nuytsiafloribundahy4.jpg

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:2116016}}

hi, i have some seeds of nuytsia floribunda can someone tell me how to sow them & what host plants to grow them with. thanks

Hi, shreekant, try it this way:

I put the seed in a pot with well washed sand, only a fine layer of sand over the seed. I kept it moist, not wet, at about 20-25° C. I needed about 3 weeks for germinating.

Then I filled a bigger pot with normal grass out of the garden. It is something like couch grass (Agropyron) similar to this here:http://www.wala.de/english/pflanze/bigsites/quecke.htm
In the middle of the grass I put the seedling with a little bit sand. From July until now it is in the garden (25° C at day, 15° C at night). The Nuytsia is growing! Not fast but it is working.

Nuytsia is not so diificult as many think.

The germination is easy, but there are three points:

1. Temperature should be between 18-28° C
2. The soil should be without any fertilizer and without any fungus - clear sand
3. Soon after germination the plant should be posted between a lot of growing grass

Then keep it between 18-25° c with a lot of sun, moisty, not wet - and let it grow! Be patient...

The guy from the french riviera can take plants or seed home, just as long as its not taken off crown land, national park or state forest. If its from private land its ok. You can buy the seed in packs at the airport as souvenirs!
Better collect your own. Its be good to take Home a plant propagated in a non soil medium. Check with your own countries import regulations, some dont care, some do.
As a plant, If its not CITES 1 or 2 listed then its not restricted. Contact departmnet of environmnet and heritage to check.
Animals are another story - well mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles anyway. Insects are as far as i know not protected, but you still must collect from private land.
good luck

I've sown seeds brought from Melbourne by my brother .. the sowing medium was Perlite and the first seedling has appeared after three weeks. I'll manage it as suggested on this forum. Does the plant bear frost?