Metrosideros excelsa (New Zealand Christmas Tree/Pohutukawa) seeds

Very unusual, native New Zealand tree with clusters of bright red, brush like flowers which cover the whole tree in June.  Will tolerate temperatures down to 5C but not frosts, so is best grown as an indoor or greenhouse shrub where it can be pruned to keep it compact.  Can also be grown outdoors in a container and moved to a frost free place in winter.

Tender Shrub/Tree (min 5C)
Height: Prune to desired size
Flowers: June
Position: Sun

Packet of 25 seeds 

GROWING GUIDE

Sowing Instructions: Sow at any time of the year. Sow very thinly in trays or pots on the surface of a free draining seed compost. Do not cover the seed. Place in a propagator or seal inside a polythene bag and maintain an optimum temperature of 20-25C.  Make sure the compost stays moist at all times.  Germination should take place in 1-3 months.
Note: Germination can be very erratic, so sow thinly and prick out the seedlings as they become large enough to handle disturbing the rest of the compost as little as possible.

Growing Instructions: Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm pots and grow on at a slightly cooler temperature keeping them well watered.   Repot as necessary as the plant grows and keep in a sunny spot and overwinter at a minimum temperature of 5C.