The Australian bell bush enchants with its small bell flowers, which are reminiscent of the angel's trumpet. It copes well with the living conditions here and makes it easy for us to reproduce. All you need is suitable propagating material.
How to propagate Acnistus australis?
The Acnistus australis, also known as the Australian bellbush, can be propagated by cuttings or seeds. Cuttings can be cut from an existing plant and rooted in water, while seeds can be soaked in lukewarm water for 48 hours and then sown in germ-free potting soil.
The two options
Acnistus australis can be propagated in two different ways:
- through cuttings
- from seeds
Both methods are promising. Therefore, other criteria may decide which method you choose for propagating Acnistus australis.
Propagation of cuttings
If you already have a bell bush, you can grow more plants from it every year. There are white, blue and yellow flowering varieties of this plant in this country. Daughter plants will flower in the same way as the mother plant, according to their genes. So if you want a different variety, this propagation method is not suitable. Otherwise, please note the following points:
- cut 10 to 15 cm long head cuttings
- remove lower leaves
- Rooting cuttings in water glass
- plant after root formation
Propagation from seeds
Seeds are a good way to start cultivating this plant. They germinate reliably, if irregularly. The plants grow quickly and bloom after a short time. Seeds can be ordered online. With a retail price of around two euros for 8-10 seeds, they are also relatively inexpensive. The germination period is 2-8 weeks, the double varieties need even longer.
Sowing instructions
- Place the seeds in lukewarm water for 48 hours to swell.
- Fill small pots (€8.00 on Amazon) or a larger bowl with fresh, germ-free potting soil.
- Distribute the seeds evenly.
- Place a layer of soil on top, about the size of a seed.
- Wet the soil with a spray bottle.
- Cover the surface of the pot with a sheet of glass or place a clear plastic bag over it.
- Place the bowl with the seeds in a warm and bright place. A germination temperature of 20 to 24 degrees Celsius is ideal.
- Keep the soil moist throughout. However, avoid waterlogging, otherwise the seeds will rot.
Tip
The seeds of Acnistus australis germinate particularly well if the pot is placed on a warm surface.
Separate seedlings
Separate the seedlings as soon as they have developed the second pair of leaves.
- put in deep pots
- use sandy, nutrient-rich substrate
- Partly shaded to shady place
- keep slightly moist throughout
Note:The plant can reach up to 2.5 m in height within one season. It must therefore be repotted into a larger pot several times during this time.
