Kohekohe

From Seed

Kohekohe propagation from seed requires careful timing and patience, as this species is dioecious with separate male and female trees needed for fruit production. Seeds should be collected immediately when the distinctive woody orange capsules split open in late autumn to winter, revealing the bright scarlet-colored seeds with their attractive orange arils. Fresh seed is essential as viability decreases rapidly after harvesting, typically losing germination capacity within 2-3 weeks if not sown immediately. Remove the fleshy aril by gently washing under lukewarm water, taking care not to damage the hard seed coat beneath. Pre-treatment is often beneficial - either scarify the seed coat lightly with fine sandpaper or soak in warm water for 24 hours before sowing. Use a well-drained seed-raising mixture of equal parts sterilized potting mix, perlite, and fine bark chips. Sow seeds 1-2cm deep in individual pots or cellular trays, maintaining consistent moisture without waterlogging. Place in a warm, bright location with temperatures between 18-22°C and provide gentle bottom heat if available. Germination is notably slow and irregular, typically taking 3-6 months but can extend up to 12 months. Seedlings grow slowly initially and may take 2-3 years to reach suitable transplant size.

From Cuttings

Semi-hardwood cuttings provide a more reliable propagation method for Kohekohe, producing plants that maintain the characteristics of the parent tree. Take cuttings during late summer to early autumn when new growth has begun to harden but remains somewhat flexible. Select healthy, disease-free shoots 12-18cm long from the current season's growth, avoiding both very soft growing tips and fully hardened wood. Make cuts just below a node using clean, sharp secateurs, and remove all leaves from the lower two-thirds of the cutting to reduce moisture loss. Strip bark carefully from the bottom 2-3cm of the cutting to expose the cambium layer, which encourages root development. Apply rooting hormone containing IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) at 4000-6000ppm concentration, ensuring even coverage of the treated area. Insert cuttings into a propagation medium consisting of 60% perlite and 40% peat moss or coconut coir, ensuring good drainage while maintaining consistent moisture. Provide high humidity using a propagation tent or misting system, maintaining temperatures between 20-24°C with gentle bottom heat. Root development typically occurs within 8-12 weeks, indicated by new shoot growth and resistance when gently tugged. Once well-established, gradually acclimatize cuttings to normal growing conditions over 4-6 weeks before transplanting.