TELOPEA speciosissima

Telopea speciosissima is a spectacular flowering upright shrub to about 3 metres but is often shorter in cultivation.

The blood-red flowers occur in a tight cluster at the ends of the erect stems up to 15 cm or more in diameter from mid-spring to early summer.
Large leafy bracts occur at the base of the inflorescence. The Waratah is ideal for cut flowers being long-lasting with flowers occurring terminally on long straight stems.

The leaves are large, leathery and may be irregularly serrated up to 250 mm long.

Telopea speciosissima is the floral emblem of New South Wales and one of Australia's most beautiful and spectacular native plants and was one of the first Australian plants to be collected for cultivation in Europe.

Prefers light, rich well-drained soil in a protected shaded position.Frost resistant but drought tender.

Grow notes: 

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. Soak the seed overnight in water.
2. Sow the seed on a porous seed-raising mix and cover it to a depth of 2-4mm
3. Place in a warm shaded or semi-shaded position to avoid dying out.
4. The growing medium should be well draining but should remain damp between watering. Keep moist but not too wet as the seed may rot. Do not let the growing mix completely dry out.
5. Germination should occur in 10-35 days depending on the temperature and conditions. 

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.

Smoke Treatments: Pre-treatment of smoke is not considered critical to the germination of this species of Proteaceae and germination will generally occur without it.

Many members of the Proteaceae family are responsive to the pre-treatment of smoke. Although germination will often occur without smoke treatment it has proved to be beneficial in reducing the number of days to germination and increasing germination rates in some species of the Proteaceae family.

Smoke treatments are simple and can be undertaken either by soaking the seed overnight or by applying to the surface after sowing, both provide good results. Smoke treatments are available by clicking here.