No, I haven't tried ... no much of an answer, but at least an answer.

Thanks tonyw, I apreciate your response. Can't be too difficult, you know, I bought a punnet of 6 at the local nursery a couple of weeks ago, and Bunnings gardening section currently has them for sale in 8 inch pots for $8.95 each or something like that. With one I have, I brushed 2 flowers together for polination purposes and will wait till the flowers darken with age and try a few of the (sort of) winged seeds. Thanks, again for your reponse at least it lets one know someone has read the post. By the way, are you much into growing/propagating Aussie natives? I'm thinking of joining the Society for growing/propagating them.

I have grown the paper daisy, a few years ago. I did have a packet of seeds, just plonked them in a pot with some potting mix, and they were magnificent. I had them in full northerly sun. They were really lovely, everyone commented on them.

I think you should join the sgap, they are terrific.

All the best with your growing.

I have done a bit of propagation from seed and cutting but nothing serious, none the less its a great thrill when the cotyledons stick their tips up out of the soil or new growth appears on cuttings. Joining the Australian Native Plants Society (formerly Societies for Growing Australian Native Plants) is a great idea and you will be surprised by all the additional benefits you will get out of it if you put in the effort.

I'd also suggest you invest a hundred dollars or so and purchase a copy of Australian Native Plants by Wrigley and Fagg as this wonderful volume has cultivation and propagation information for all species. For example they note Darwinia taxifolia is best propagated by cutting.

The Everlasting Daisies (Bracteantha or as the genus is now classed, Xerochrysum) are altogether another problem as many of the plants sold at retail are cultivars and natural propagation from seed may result in recessive genes being dominant and the cultivar characteristics you desire being bred out of the next generation, consequently successful propagation by cutting will ensure that the new plant has all the genetic characteristics of the parent.

Yes, I've planted paper daisies from package seed over the years and had no problem, however on bought plants, said to be perennial, I've had no success from planting gathered seed. On Darwinea taxifolia(variety 'macrolaena') oddly enough, Tonyw, only yesterday I took some cuttings of my one of those - which is now in flower - and potted them up. My parent plant is now hidden under a weeping kunsea that I picked up from the Sydney Royal Bot Gdns plant shop a couple of years ago. It has no varietal name, least it didn't have then; the label said it was found growing in their branch in the blue mountains, Mount Annan, I think it is. Its a beautiful small tree and I'm also trying again to propagate cuttings from that.

Great we managed a reply for your question!

I've often grown Bracteantha (Xerochrysum) from seed, and found it easy, but I think that the time of year you plant might be important, as well as dealing with insect infestation of the seed. For the former, I find March to June the best time to plant, and for the latter, putting the seeds in the freezer does kill insect eggs and doesn't seem to hurt the seeds.
Pure Australian Xerochrysum have yellow or white flowers. The multi-coloured ones are hybrids bred from Australian and South-African parents. Do they count as "native"? I don't care much, and grow them anyway.
Trish

Thanks folks, I appreciate all your responses. I agree, trish_g "do they count as natives?" I don't care either. As for seeds and planting time, I'll try as you suggested.

Haven't propagated any natives here yet (except for plants that take care of themselves), but I'm interested in finding out what you learn. I thought I should say hello after a few years of hiatus from this site. I didn't realise the OZ gardenweb is still quiet. Will try to visit more often!

Yeah, weeddummie it's still very quiet, I've given up coming here very often. How've you been getting on with your propagating of natives? I've had some success with Eremophila, scaveolea, kunzia, grevillea and one or two others.