Section: Leucadendron seeds
Figure 6. Leucadendron cone with seed
Figure 6. Leucadendron cone with seed

Some leucadendrons have nut-like seeds (e.g. Leucadendron argenteum, tinctum) which are treated the same way as Leucospermum and Mimetes seeds, but most have cones that produce flat winged seeds that require far less attention to germinate. The cones are retained on the plant for a few years and the insect predation and water penetration is far less, however the current year’s seed cones are likely to be immature and 3 to 4-year-old cones are beginning to age. Simply snap off the 1 to 2 year-old cone, dry till they open and shake the seeds out. The seeds are flat and can fall out from amongst the “scales” of the dried cone quite easily but may need a knocking to get them all out. At worst, a spike may be needed to prise them out. Most of the seeds are viable and germination can be initiated a bit earlier in the year as they seem to be less reliant on steep temperature fluctuations. Plant the seeds from early Autumn in full sun, about 1 cm deep in peatmoss, keep moist and they germinate in about 3 weeks.

Leucadendron argenteum and Ld. tinctum have large seeds surrounded by a woody cover that needs attention. First soak in water for 24 hours so that the woody part softens somewhat, and while still wet, rub on rough concrete until the hard nut of the seed is exposed. They will take a bit longer to germinate and will need the temperature fluctuations (referred to above) more than the flat winged seeds.