Plant propagation

Further information about the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust Nursery is available elsewhere on this website.

Seeds

• All seeds are collected in the autumn.
• Seeds are collected from the area the plant will eventually be planted in (this is known as eco-sourcing). This ensures optimal survival of plant species.
• Seeds are planted out in shallow trays, placed in protected areas to allow germination.

Plants

• Once seedlings have reached a reasonable size, each one is transplanted into an individual bag.
• Watering, fertilising and weeding these planter bags continues until they are ready for planting out in various penguin habitat.
• Plants are ‘hardened off’ (e.g. withdrawn from artificial watering) to ensure they can withstand their new natural environment.

Planting

• Dig the appropriate sized hole.
• Place a fertiliser tablet, e.g. Osmocote, at base of hole.
• Remove plant from planter bag and carefully place in hole. Fill in with dirt, packing firmly around sides.
• Place weedmat* around base of plant as close to main trunk as possible. Push outside corners into ground to secure and prevent being blown away by winds.
• If appropriate, carefully place wire protector** around plant, securing into ground with two metal pins.

*weedmat: 600 cm squares cut from old wool packs. These are placed around newly planted trees and shrubs to minimise competition from weeds.

**wire protectors: are placed around plants, especially fleshy-leaved varieties, to prevent browsing by animals such as hares, rabbits and possums.