The most hazardous plants, according to Dr. Schep, are karaka, foxglove, hemlock, and oleander, especially for young children.
56 children and 28 adults found the daffodils’ bright yellow, which contains poisonous alkaloids, to be too alluring, according to the center’s records from 2003 to 2010.
There are many plants in New Zealand’s great outdoors that can be harmful if consumed, resulting in a stinging mouth, an upset stomach, vomiting, itchy and painful skin, or more severe poisoning.
Most calls to the poisons center, according to Dr. Leo Schep, a toxicologist, come in after young children consume plants.
If consumed, arum lilies gave people a mouth sting but no serious poisoning. Because the poisonous seeds in kowhai were protected by a tough shell, there was no need to be concerned: “You swallow it, and it just goes straight through your system.” “.
The bright yellow flowers of New Zealand natives Sophora prostrata, Sophora microphylla and Sophora tetraptera will attract bees and birds to your garden from March to June, reveals the Department of Conservation. Commonly called kowhai, these shrubs and small trees thrive in mild climates, such as those found along the California coast. Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9b to 11, a blooming kowhai tree is a conversation-starting focal point in a small garden. Kowhai shrubs and trees are not readily available in the United States, so most gardeners use seeds to start their plants.
We advise getting the most up-to-date details on the specific seeds you intend to import by getting in touch with your ministry of agriculture or its equivalent first. The origin of the seed should be verified as well as any import permit (IP) requirements. This information is always provided in the Detailed Listing section of the seed order page under Collection Locale.
How to grow your own kōwhai
Drag each seed lightly across sandpaper about 6–7 times (hold the seed so the small dark depression is away from the sandpaper). This will scratch the surface enabling water to penetrate the seed and start the germination process. Take care not to scratch too deeply.
Spring and summer are the best times to do this.
Fill a six-cell plastic punnet with potting mix – or use a small yoghurt pottle or a seed-raising tray. Whatever container you use, ensure it has plenty of drainage holes in its base.
Thoroughly water the potting mix and leave to drain.
For each cell make a hole in the mix to a depth of about 1 cm (a nail is good for this).
Place one seed into each hole and fill hole with potting mix.
Put punnet in warm place out of direct sunlight.
Water occasionally to ensure the potting mix does not dry out.
Germination should be evident 2–4 weeks after sowing, depending on soil temperature and other factors.
Once seedlings appear keep them in full sun.
Do not over-water.
Your new seedlings can stay in their punnet until they are about 8 cm tall and roots are beginning to come out the bottom of the pot.
At this point it’s time to move them on to a larger pot on their own. A good sized pot at this stage is about 10 cm x 10 cm.
Extract your seedling from their cell (push from the bottom) taking care to avoid damage to the roots. Try and ensure soil remains attached to the root plug that you remove.
Partially fill the new larger pot with potting mix, place the seedling centrally in the pot and fill the remaining space with potting mix until level with the base of the seedling.
Water the pot.
Your seedlings will be happy in a pot this size for the rest of their first year.
You’ll need to repot your plants into a larger pot (about 1.5 litre capacity) after their first year to ensure they have plenty of resources to get them to a size suitable for planting out in the wild.
A suitable size for planting out might be reached after just two years but could take three years. Ensure some slow-release fertilizer is applied each spring.
Protect your plants from slugs and snails (and rabbits too if they’re likely to be a problem in your area).
Be careful when using herbicides in the garden.
Kōwhai are particularly sensitive and easily damaged.
