Weeping Tea Tree (Leptospermum brachyandrum) - 200 Seeds for a Graceful Native Feature
 
 
Introduce a touch of natural elegance and year-round beauty to your garden with the Weeping Tea Tree, Leptospermum brachyandrum. This beautiful Australian native is highly prized for its distinctive weeping growth habit, creating a graceful, cascading form. Its fine, aromatic foliage provides a lovely texture, and in spring and summer, it produces a profusion of small, star-shaped white flowers, attracting pollinators to your garden.
 
Whether used as a feature plant, for informal screening, or in a native garden setting, these seeds offer a wonderful opportunity to grow your own resilient and visually appealing tree that thrives in a range of conditions.
 
 
Growing Instructions:
1. Sowing the Seeds:
Weeping Tea Tree seeds are very fine. Prepare shallow trays or pots with a well-draining, sandy seed-raising mix, or a native plant propagation mix.
Lightly moisten the soil. Scatter the tiny seeds evenly over the surface. Do not cover the seeds with soil, as they require light for germination. You can gently press them into the surface to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.
2. Germination Environment:
Place the trays in a warm, bright location that receives indirect sunlight. Avoid direct, intense sun, which can scorch the delicate seeds and seedlings. Ideal germination temperatures are consistently between 18-25°C (64-77°F).
Maintain consistent moisture in the soil using a fine misting bottle to avoid disturbing the seeds. Covering the tray with a clear lid or plastic wrap can help maintain high humidity, but ensure good ventilation to prevent fungal issues like damping-off. Germination can be variable, typically occurring within 2-6 weeks.
3. Care of Seedlings:
Once seedlings emerge, ensure they receive ample bright, indirect light. If light levels are too low, seedlings may become leggy and weak.
Continue to maintain consistent soil moisture, but allow the very surface to dry slightly between waterings as they grow. This encourages stronger root development. Ensure good air circulation around the seedlings.
4. Transplanting:
When seedlings have developed a few sets of true leaves and are large enough to handle (typically 3-5 cm tall), carefully transplant them into individual pots (e.g., 7-10 cm diameter). Use a well-draining native plant potting mix or a general-purpose mix amended with extra sand or perlite.
Handle the seedlings by their leaves or root ball, avoiding crushing the delicate stem. Water lightly after transplanting.
5. Hardening Off and Permanent Location:
Before planting outdoors permanently, it is crucial to harden off your young plants. This process, spanning 1-2 weeks, gradually exposes them to outdoor conditions. Start by placing them in a shaded, protected outdoor area, gradually increasing their exposure to direct sunlight and wind.
Leptospermum brachyandrum is well-suited to the climate of Brisbane. Choose a sunny to partially shaded location with well-draining soil. It is adaptable to a range of soil types, including sandy and poorer soils, and is quite tolerant of dry periods once established. It is also known to tolerate a degree of wet feet better than some other Leptospermum species, but good drainage is still preferred.
 
 
Planting in early autumn or spring is generally ideal in Brisbane, allowing the plants to establish before the peak heat of summer or any cooler winter spells. Mulch around the base of the young trees to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
With its distinctive weeping habit and a profusion of delicate flowers, the Weeping Tea Tree will provide a beautiful and graceful focal point in your garden, a testament to the resilience and beauty of Australian native flora.