Propagation

The propagation igloo contains an automatic watering system and can house over 5,000 tube stock.

Propagation – (locally indigenous species)

An important part of coastal restoration is using locally indigenous plants. Locally indigenous seed have the genetic makeup to withstand the specialised conditions found on our coastline.BBDC have propagated over 90% of their own plantings, with spectacular success.Seed for propagating is collected as close to the restoration site as possible, propagating in this way is thought to promote genetic and ecological sustainability in local vegetation.

To augment the cultivation of seedlings we have had to resort to taking cuttings from several plants. In 2015 we had difficulty in raising seedlings from Myoporum insulare, (Boobialla) and we also took cuttings from Correa alba. We sought advice from  Australian National Botanic Gardens and Parks and received the following:

"From my experience Myoporum insulare can be problematic to strike. Here at the ANBG we have found a clone (genetic line) that is easily propagated using any method or any hormone. We needed this as it is a selected species that we graft other genera of Myoporaceae onto.

I would only be looking to use the semi hardened tip cuttings which I would make about 10cm long, leaving about 1/3 of the leaf. My preferred hormone is Easy Root (1.6k IBA/1.6K NAA) for this species but if they are being difficult, then upping that to Clonex red (8k IBA) might help. This hormone can be diluted to 4kIBA by adding 50% water, that too makes a very useful treatment for troublesome species and is twice as economical. Make sure when dipping cuttings that the cuttings once cut are dipped immediately into the hormone for about 5 to 10 seconds. Best months for us here at the ANBG is during Winter. The soft tip cuttings have hardened by then and propagation conditions are less likely to stress the cuttings."

Planting