STEPBYSTEP
4
Gymea lily (Doryanthes excelsa) is a truly
iconic Australian native plant, with large
clumps of glossy leaves and spectacular
fl ower heads standing tall on spear-like
stalks. PHIL DUDMAN describes how to
grow these special plants from seed
1 COLLECT a seed head. These are
usually mature from around February and
hold on the plant for many months. If you
don’t have a plant in your garden, you
might fi nd someone in the neighbourhood
who does and is willing to let you harvest
one. You will need a sharp pruning saw to
cut through the tough spear, then carefully
lower the woody seed head.
2 SHAKE the seed head well to release
the seed. Remember to have something
underneath to catch the seed.
3 FILL a small pot with seed-raising mix
and scatter some seed over the surface.
Cover the seed with 5–10mm of additional
seed-raising mix and water well.
GROW GYMEA LILY
FROM SEED
4 PLACE the pot in a warm, sheltered
spot and keep it moist. Be patient – it
can take many weeks for the seed to
germinate. When seedlings are 1–2cm tall,
use a fl at stick to carefully prick them out.
5 POT the individual seedlings into small
containers or tubes fi lled with potting mix.
Add a pinch of slow-release fertiliser to
each container. Keep the seedlings moist
and move them every couple of days to
gradually introduce them to more sun.
Grow the plants on until their roots fi ll the
containers before transplanting them into
the garden or a bigger pot.1 2
3
5
68 MAY 2019 GARDENING AUSTRALIA