VERTICORDIA nitens-100g

A small upright shrub with a branching habit and an open textured crown that is massed with attractive bright orange-yellow broad flat-topped flowers in abundance in late spring and summer.
Slender bluish-green leaves on yellow upper stems. Prune to encourage branching when young.

Occurs naturally in Western Australia in the regions of Avon Wheatbelt, and the Swan Coastal Plain.

Adaptable to a range of soils providing it is well drained in an open sunny 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, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 15-23°C

1. Sow seed on a porous seed-raising mix and cover lightly. Do not bury the seed deeply.
2. Place in a warm shaded or semi-shaded position to avoid dying out.
3. 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. 
4. Germination rates can be variable but should occur in 21-45 days depending on the temperature and conditions. 

Pre-treatment of smoke: Not considered critical for this species although it may increase germination rates.
Many members of this genus 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 many species of this genus.
Smoke treatments are simple and can be undertaken either by soaking the seed overnight or by applying it to the surface after sowing, both provide good results. Smoke treatments are available by clicking here.

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.