Not really a secret but a bit of a trick. The outside coat of Acacia seeds is really tough so you have to break it in order for the moisture to get through to the bits inside. I usually nip the pointy end off the seed with some nail clippers. If you cut the other end where it joined the pod you will destroy it. If you can just see the white bits inside thats good ennough. Other people soak seed and heat seed in boiling water to increase the germination rate. The whole process is called scarification.

As far as I can remember A sophorae and A longifolia are the same plant with sophorae being the bushy one. I am sure that there is a spectrum in between.

Neil

Hi there

I have, a few days ago, had my A.longifolia seeds in boiling water, overnight, letting the water cool. I popped them in some seed raising mix, the next morning. They have already germinated, and its only been 4 days.

The punnet is however full of ants. I guess they are looking for the arril (?) the flesh apendage at the end of the seed. They eat it, so I am hoping they wont move around the seed too much. Its fascinating to watch, actually.

I have the punnet outside, and I am near Sydney so it is quite cool at night still.

All the best with your seed.

thanks for all your help
stratton

I am not entirely sure where Acacia longifolia originates from but I know for a fact that it is regarded as a weed in the Melbourne region as it is invasive.
Just be aware of that when propagating this species and perhaps make sure that it is not also a weed in your area.

Is this the variety that produces edible wattleseeds?

I don't know about edible seeds but to answer your question Greg I suspect this is a Sydney region native that got taken elsewhere.
I'm not surprised it's a pest in Victoria, it's regarded as an invasive weed in South Africa.

Roy