Propagation Group
The group meets every second Monday of the month, from midday until three o’clock. The group is informal and flexible so you can come and go during that time, when it’s convenient to you. If you are thinking about growing your own native plants, please come and meet the growers and ask them any questions you may have. There is a kitchen facility at the hall for tea and coffee and there is the option to bring your own lunch.
However if you decide to participate in the group you will need to become a member of the Wildflower Society of WA. This can be done online on this website.
The activities take place on the covered veranda and we choose the sunniest spot depending on the time of year. A range of propagating materials, such as potting mix are available, at a discounted rate to Wildflower Society members, for the potting on of cuttings and sowing seeds. The group also uses recycled “forestry pots” that have been hygienically cleaned. In the autumn, the group uses the “smoker” to prepare stylidium, thysanotus, and alogyne, whilst other seeds were prepared with hot water and some required no treatment at all.
You do however, at the end of each session take home your newly sown seed or “potted up” seedlings to maintain them. Group members will give you any advice you may need on what and how to set up your own “nursery” area at home, to ensure the best outcome for your seedlings.
Most of the group grow for their own native gardens and we learn so much from one another on germination and handling the tiny seedlings for potting on. There are many experienced growers in the group who encourage us all with words of wisdom. As the members become more confident and successfully grow more plants than they personally need, they are encouraged to submit their excess seedlings to the annual May Plant Sale. Often growers start with one or two trays of seedlings for the sale. As they say “from little things, big things grow”.
There is also a very good reference library to hand and all materials are stored conveniently at Octagonal Hall, where the sessions take place.
If you do not have access to seeds of a species you would like to propagate you might like to check out the A Seed Bank available to you at the Branch. As a member the cost is $1 per packet.
To maintain the Seed Bank we’re always in need of local seed (with their pods) collected from your garden so please hang on to the seed in a paper bag and bring along to a propagation session. Please note on the bag the date, location and name of the species. If you are unsure of the name of the plant please try and include some foliage and a flower from the plant to assist in it’s identification. There is a group of members who will “clean” the seeds of their pods etc and package them for the Branch Seed Bank.
During August due to the cold weather, the propagation group takes a break, recommencing in September. Please check the website or the Eastern Hills Branch facebook for notices about the group.
The Branch looks forward to seeing you at the Octagonal Hall at 52 McGlew Street, Glen Forrest.
