Eucalypts (gum) seeds: harvesting, growing to planting out Film 2: Planting in a seed tray

This is one of a series of films showing the journey from collecting eucalyptus (gum) seeds in the bush (film 1), harvesting and planting into seed trays (film 2), moving seedlings from trays into deeper tubes using the 'chopstick' method (film 3) planting out in the bush as tubestock (film 4). The films span about nine months from late Spring/early Summer to the planting season which spans Autumn to early Spring. The films show how to identify different eucalyptus in the bush, simple gumnut collection methods, harvesting the seeds, planting in seed trays, transferring into larger tubes, growing the plants and eventually planting the mature tubestock. The films show basic techniques along the various stages that might help others. This is an introduction to the subject and reference are provided to more technical publications and websites. The series will hopefully help people who wish to source local seed so that any new replanting is indigenous to the area. The seed raising exercise shown in the films is to put tubestock into areas that have a sparse cover and other areas that were overtaken by invasive pine trees (ongoing removal underway). All seeds collected were from the same site as where the eventual planting takes place. The films were shot in southern and central Victoria, Australia. The seedlings were grown off-site.

Film 2 is about planting seeds (Red Ironbark - Eucalyptus tricarpa) into a seed tray. The technique discussed late in the film of putting seeds in the fridge for 4 weeks prior to planting is called 'cold stratification'.