Melianthus major

Germination

Sow indoors in spring, Mar-May. Surface sow into moist, well-drained seed compost. Just cover seed with a sprinkling of soil or vermiculite. Place in a propagator. Ideal temp. 13-18°C. Germination takes 21-180 days. Stored seed takes longer to germinate, but fresh seed can also be erratic. Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to 8cm pots filled with a soil-less compost. Pot on when required to 13cm pots. Acclimatise and plant out or move planter out after danger of frost has passed.

Growing

Prefers a moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Shelter from cold, drying winds. Requires frost-free winter protection. Offer a mulch in winter to protect from excessive wet. Can be container grown and placed outside in summer but brought under glass in winter.

Cultivation

Pruning group 7. Prune in late winter or early spring. Prune before new leaf growth emerges but after you have enjoyed the ornamental stems. From the 2-3 year and onwards prune back hard to ground level. Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer or softwood cuttings in spring.