Ecosource seeds
Collecting seeds from areas in the general locality where you intend planting means the plants are suited to local conditions and are more likely to thrive. The collecting locality is variable for different species and relates to the way the species disperses seeds, and its distribution and natural variability within the environment.
- Species that are wind-pollinated (e.g. podocarps, beech and grasses) have the least local geographic difference so planting general providence plants is generally acceptable.
- Species that are bird or insect-pollinated (or dispersed) and are variable across different climates, landforms and soils, should be collected as close to the planting site as possible.
- Seeds of threatened species should only be collected from the same population to where you intend to plant, unless you specifically intend to secure and increase genetic diversity from nearby populations that once were contiguous.
Ecosourcing also ensures you are protecting the local natural character. Growing from seed rather than cuttings ensures wider genetic variation. This is more important with longer-lived trees than early succession shrubs. Don't expect more than 50% of seed to be naturally viable, so collect twice as much as you want to grow. Be aware that most native seeds are only viable in the ground for one to two years (There are of course exceptions - miro can take up to two years or longer to germinate!)
When to collect
Before collecting seed, check with the landowner first. A permit is required from DOC to collect from conservation land.
Seed is ready to collect when it is ripe. This varies from plant to plant, but seed will either fall or change colour. The time it takes for seed to ripen depends on the plant, locality and the year. For any given species of plant, seed ripeness can vary by one to two months from year to year so you may need to check the plant every week or so over the period when seed fall is expected.
The calendar for seed collecting provides a guide to some of the more common plants.
In the case of fruits, to check the seed is ready, cut the seed in half with a knife. Check that the contents are moist, crisp, white and fully formed. Many seeds change from white to brown as they mature.
The best and easiest place to collect seed is along forest margins, where more flowers and seed are produced, or along roadsides, tracks and stream edges. If rangiora is flowering early it is a good indicator that native seed production will generally be early.
How to collect
Ideally, collect a little seed off a lot of plants of the same species - this ensures a broader range of genetic material. Never collect all the seed - some should be left for natural regeneration. Collect only sound fruit - watch out for insects or rodent damage. It is a good idea to collect more than once in a season so you have a range of both early and late fruiting specimens.
Small plants
- Collect carefully - try not to damage the plant.
- Remove ripe seeds individually or cut off clusters or small branchlets.
Large trees
- Collect seed off the ground during seed fall and watch out for rodent damage.
- With some trees, you may be able to tether shadecloth near the ground and collect seeds that fall into it. This can be used for any large tree with seed that falls straight to the ground e.g. kauri, totara, kahikatea, rimu and tawa.
- In some instances, you may need a ladder or have to climb the tree to collect seed.
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