Bulbine Bulbosa 'Native Leek' Seeds

Product Description
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Bulbine Bulbosa 'Native Leek' - 10x Seeds

This attractive plant has many common names including Bulbine Lily, Wild Onion, Golden Lily, Leek Lily, Yellow Onion Weed and Native Leek. 

Apart from being an attractive addition to the gardenB. bulbosa is also useful as a food plant. The plump, round corms (bulb like roots) were traditionally eaten by Aboriginal people. The corms are best roasted and can be eaten all year round. Roots of B. bulbosa are regarded as the sweetest of the lily and lily – like plants. They are also nutritious, containing calcium and iron.

A densely tufted perennial herb reaching 75cm. In the wild, plants are found growing in conspicuous colonies. The green – grey leaves are succulent and grow to 40cm. The bright yellow star-like flowers are approximately 2cm wide and are borne on simple racemes of up to 50 flowers. Flowering occurs from September to March.

B. bulbosa is an attractive species with fragrant flowers. It is especially suited to rockeries and cottage gardens and is also excellent as a container plant. Like in the wild, it can look stunning grown in clusters and is a great native alternative to daffodil. It will grow in full or part sun and tolerates a variety of soils. It is also frost hardy making it suitable for regions with cooler climates. 

Aboriginal names for B. bulbosa include "Parm", "Puewan" and "Pike".


Seed Starting Method

Bulbine Bulbosa  seeds come in a range of sizes from very tiny to a few millimeters. As a general rule Bulbine Bulbosa seed should be sown to the depth of the seed. 

Although most Australian native/ endemic seed can be sown throughout the seasons across Australia it is advisable to sow in Spring or Summer in colder regions. The optimum temperate to ensure the best possible germination rate for sowing many Australian native/ endemic species is around 18-22°C.  

Smoke treatment recommended

Sowing Depth


See above.
The seed will lodge in the pores of your seed starting mix once misted with water.

Growing Season


Spring & Autumn
Place in a warm sunny position and keep moist to avoid drying out.

Germination Time 20-40 days at around 18-22°C.
Hardiness Hardy 
Plant Spacing  N/A
Plant Height 50cm high 
Planting Position Partial or full sun
Days Until Maturity  N/A
Growing tips

Seeds of many native/endemic species require specific conditions that mimic their natural habitat or specially formulated seed treatments, to break dormancy. 

Do not be to quick to discard pots that haven't yet shown signs of seed germination. Seeds will often lay dormant until conditions are optimal and will produce amazing results, long after they have been forgotten.

Pre-treatment of smoke is recommended for most native species.

Research shows that many members of this species are responsive to pre-treatment of smoke, which mimocs an Australian bushfire. Although germination will may occur without smoke treatment it has proved be beneficial in reducing the number of days to germination and increasing germination rates of this species.

Smoke treatments are simple and can be undertaken by applying to the surface after sowing.

Click this link to view our seed starting treatments specially designed for Australian Natives

 

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