communacacian Posted September 1, 2018 (edited) Happy Wattle Day everyone, Today is September 1st which is Australia's National Wattle Day, coincidentally with the beginning of spring it is also the best time to germinate seeds for most Acacia (wattle) species! To celebrate I would like to give away 50 Acacia courtii seeds. The first 10 members to reply to this post will receive 5 seeds of this very special species. Simply reply below and I will send you a message asking for your postal details. (sorry to the international folks here, this is within Australia only) *Condition Due to the threatened status, rarity of this plant and the scarcity of the seeds, I ask that those who do receive these seeds and successfully raise multiple plants gift one to another member here on SAB. Here are some propagation short notes which can be applied to most species. Acacia courtii Germination tek (short notes) By communacacian Germination medium Simple/Beginners medium: store bought seed raising mix Advanced Medium: coco coir peat 50%, perlite 30%, granatic sand 10%, 3mm river stone 10% Potting mix Beginners: Store bought native potting mix Advanced: Native potting mix 70%, Granatic Sand 10%, 3mm River stone 10%, Perlite 10% and additional native slow release fertiliser. You can mix in a small amount of inoculant soil too. 1. Put seeds in mug and put a kettle on 2. Once water is boiling pour over seeds in mug (fill up a few centimetres above seeds) 3. Once water has cooled add a teaspoon of rhizobial inoculant soil to the water and gently mix. (Most Acacia species do not require inoculation to aid germination but it helps with overall health and vigor once germinated. Inoculant soil can be collected from your local Acacia tree, just take a small handful of soil from the base of the tree, very little is required so no need to disturb the roots of the tree.) 4. Allow to sit for a further 24-48 hours then strain the seeds. 5. Fill up seedling tray with germination medium leaving a 1cm gap from the top. A small tray can do 10 – 20 seeds, a larger one can do up to 100. 6. Place seeds on top of your mix leaving 1cm gap between seeds. 7. Cover with another layer of germination medium filling up to the top of the tray and top with a thin layer of 3mm river stone. 8. Sprinkle inoculation soil over the tray and water in. 9. Set on heat mat with a thermostat or propagation table with temperature set to 23c. Alternatively set in warm place with good light. Water daily. 10. After two to four weeks seeds will begin to germinate. Once they are about 1-2cm tall. Gently pluck them out by using a dip stick (a thin pencil like object) and your hand to gently jiggle them out of the mix without breaking any roots. 11. Transfer into pots or tubes with your chosen potting mix. Best way to do this is put some soil in the bottom of the tube, hold the seedling with roots straight down with one hand and fill in soil around it with the other. You aim to get the soil to come to just where the roots meet the trunk and that level should be half a centimetre from the top of the tube 12. Water in with Seasol and keep in a place protected from harsh sun (such as a greenhouse with good airflow or a light shade cloth). Water daily and top dress with native slow release fertiliser every three months or as required. Happy Gardening Edited September 1, 2018 by communacacian 14 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
teamwhy Posted September 1, 2018 Happy wattle day! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gimli Posted September 1, 2018 What a generous offer! Got a spot already picked out in my sandalwood plantation! Muchas gracias! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dicko Posted September 1, 2018 Would love to grow some Thank you! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xperiment Posted September 1, 2018 I would LOVE some, please. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cubism Posted September 1, 2018 And happy wattle day to you good sir! I'd love to take you up on your offer. Thanks heaps Communicacion....King of The Wattle!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mango Posted September 1, 2018 Woohoo!!! Go the mighty Aussie Wattle! i would be honoured to grow some of these beautiful Courtii!!!! I have been looking for some seeds for some time now! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martyh64 Posted September 1, 2018 YES PLEASE!! THANKYOU! :D 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moon_unit Posted September 1, 2018 Very generous, Happy wattle day :-) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
od101010 Posted September 1, 2018 did i make 10 ;) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MountainGoat Posted September 2, 2018 oooooo, did i squeeze in? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
od101010 Posted September 2, 2018 Thanks Communacacian, Out of curiosity how old is the plant in the last photo? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tarenna Posted September 3, 2018 Meanwhile in the wild.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xperiment Posted September 3, 2018 That's disgraceful 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tarenna Posted September 3, 2018 13 minutes ago, Xperiment said: That's disgraceful My oath it is.. I daresay that there are multi and trans-dimensional consequences for such conduct.. For those looking at this, and possibly even those actually responsible for such desecration (which happened early this year), surely harvesting phyllodes or other spice-bearing material is the way to go.. And good on Communacacian and ors for cultivating this special and spectacular plant... I reckon the spirit of the brothers has been agitated by such conduct.... deep time and space magic has been sullied... 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
communacacian Posted September 3, 2018 Earlier this year when I visited I was devastated to see this destruction and documented it thoroughly, trying to work out what the next step is! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spooge Posted September 3, 2018 (edited) 12 minutes ago, communacacian said: 17 minutes ago, communacacian said: Earlier this year when I visited I was devastated to see this destruction and documented it thoroughly, trying to work out what the next step is! How about something like this that can be monitored from afar. https://www.proschoice.com.au/moultrie-m-888i-mini-trail-camera We raise the funds to buy 4 of them or how many are needed to get a some good coverage of an area. Even the thought of them being there maybe a detterent. Edited September 3, 2018 by spooge 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
communacacian Posted September 3, 2018 what an excellent idea!! you legend. Its very obvious that parks NSW has been recently monitoring the area and I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't already done this, but I think additional cameras is a brilliant idea! Im very keen to make that happen 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squidgygoanna Posted September 3, 2018 23 hours ago, tarenna said: Meanwhile in the wild.... That image fills me with rage Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Rainbow Posted September 4, 2018 (edited) I'm in! Would this camera set up be the best option? Even signs saying there were cameras could have a strong impact. Edited September 4, 2018 by Wile E. Peyote 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gimli Posted September 4, 2018 (edited) 26 minutes ago, Wile E. Peyote said: I'm in! Would this camera set up be the best option? Even signs saying there were cameras could have a strong impact. In my opinion (and experience) signs don't stop anyone. We have game cameras located on a few properties (w/ signs along the perimeter) I'm allowed to shoot on and still see trespassers in photos all the time. What's to say it would work for someone stripping bark? It'll happen regardless. We use these - https://www.toolmart.com.au/moondyne-mdtcam002.html Great cameras with MMS/EMAIL capability for sending photos in real time Govt depts like DPaW use these. Great units but a little on the pricey side. Excellent battery life and image quality - http://outdoorcameras.com.au/6/reconyx-hc600.html Edit: have even had a few camera pinched over the years. Long list of others over east who have lost cameras on public land (hunters) Edited September 4, 2018 by Gimli 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites