EUCALYPTUS macrocarpa ssp. elachantha 25g

Arguably the most spectacular of the flowering gums in Australia with flowers up to 10 cm in diameter. EUCALYPTUS macrocarpa ssp. elachantha, commonly known as The Small Leaved Mottlecah has smaller leaves and a lower form than EUCALYPTUS macrocarpa ssp. macrocarpa

A spreading mallee or small crooked tree with powdery white branches and small broad leaves silvery grey leaves. 

The Large woody buds are a mealy grey exposing the most amazing yellow-tipped bright red flowers once the cap opens. Flowers occur in clusters mainly in spring and summer but isolated flowers can appear year-round.

Occurs naturally in the IBRA Regions of the Geraldton Sandplains and the  Swan Coastal Plain in Western Australia.

Prefers light well-drained soil in an open sunny position, drought resistant.

Grow notes:

Eucalypts germinate readily from seed and are generally considered to be one of the easiest natives to grow from seed.

Depending on the species Eucalyptus seed comes in various sizes from very fine to several millimetres long.
As a rule of thumb seed that is fine should be sown on the surface of a porous mix and not buried. Seeds 1 to 2 mm in diameter can be covered very lightly and seeds from 2 mm up can be sown 4-5mm deep.

Although seed can be sown most of the year in many parts of Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn in temperate climates, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-22°C

1. Sow seed at a depth of 1-2 mm in a seed-raising mix.
2. Water with a fine mist spray to avoid disturbance of the seed.
3. Place in a warm shaded or semi-shaded position to avoid dying out.
4. Keep warm & moist, avoid drying out or waterlogging the growing mix.
5. Germination generally occurs in around 10-28 days in the right condition.

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.