Congratulations
After years of focused effort, mahi and sacrifice … you are a graduate of the University of Otago: we welcome you to your worldwide alumni community.
Wherever in the world your journey takes you, your tertiary learning started here. You take your education and experiences at Otago wherever you go. We are privileged to have you join Otago’s community of experts, changemakers, innovators, disruptors, leaders, and communicators.
Your kōwhai seeds are a small token of congratulations and reminder of your personal and professional growth.
Growing your kōwhai
Your seeds are Dragon’s Gold Kōwhai, also called Sophora Molloyii. Dragon’s Gold bear prolific, large yellow flowers. It’s a compact, ornamental cultivar reaching approx. 2m tall, and can be clipped, hedged, live in a pot, or even be a bonsai. Dragon’s Gold attracts birds and beneficial insects to your garden.
Kōwhai seeds need a bit of extra TLC to germinate.
Scarification
Kōwhai seeds have a hard shell to protect themselves. In nature they can lie dormant on the ground for years until friendly microbial action softens the shell.
To speed up Mother Nature’s process, rub the seed against a nail file or sandpaper 6–7 times.
Ensure you avoid the darker end of the seed. Hold the seed so the small dark depression is away from the abrasive surface. The aim is to make a little space for water and nutrients to enter the seed, but not to damage the inside of it.
Some people hold the seed with pliers and rub against a rough surface.
Hot water treatment
After rubbing a little of the hard shell off one end of your seed, place the seed in a glass of recently boiled water. Leave it soaking in the cooled water for 24 hours.
Now you’re ready to sow your seeds 😊
A few more tips to maximise seedling success:
- Start your seed in a small container e.g. egg carton or seedling punnet. Some even use a cardboard toilet roll, with cuts in the bottom to fold the bottom pieces into the base of the pot.
- Plant the seeds approx. 1cm deep.
- The container needs good drainage holes at the bottom to prevent your seeds rotting.
- Keep your new seeds in a warm spot away from sunlight. Sunlight can be too harsh.
- Water every day or two to ensure soil stays damp (but not waterlogged – those drainage holes are important)
- At approx. 14 days, seedlings appear. It’s time to move into an area with full sunshine.
- Keep the pots away from slugs, snails, and rabbits, who think tender kōwhai seedlings are delicious!
- Young kōwhai are very sensitive to herbicides and pesticides. Do not use near your seedlings or young plants. Once they are established, they are very hardy and will not need any chemical pesticides etc.! In fact, any pesticides or herbicides around the plant will be detrimental to the beautiful birds and beneficial insects your kowhai will attract.
- At approx. 8cm tall, your seedling is ready to transfer to a slightly larger pot. As your seedling grows and its roots fill the small pot, pot to a slightly larger size. It’s always best to avoid a big pot for a little kōwhai. Let the roots have space to grow a little, and yet feel snug in a smaller space.
Living in a pot
Your Dragon’s Gold Kōwhai will live happily in a pot.
Some garden aficionados even use kōwhai in bonsai.
As your kōwhai grows it can accompany you on your travels in a larger pot, rewarding you with its gracious habit and gorgeous golden blooms.
When you are ready to plant your kōwhai in a permanent spot:
- Find a spot with good sunshine and space to grow up to approximately 2 metres.
- Kōwhai can ramble outwards or be pruned to fit narrower spaces.
- Remember they do not like herbicides or pesticides near them – they are sensitive.
- The bees, beneficial insects and native birds will appreciate your gift, also! Golden kōwhai flowers provide delicious, nutritious nectar so will entice more native birds and beneficial insects to your garden.