Mauao Seed Project and Pruning

We were so lucky that the Mauao trust has allowed us to gather seeds from the special taonga that is Mauao.  We had 8 children who climbed the maunga and gathered seeds for the kura.  We learnt about some of the history of the maunga and what it will mean gathering the seed and growing them.  The tamariki are so excited that they will have a special tree up there that they will be able to see grow.  Now it’s our time to sow.  Whaea Tessa came to visit us today to show us how to do it and explain how each seed germinates. 

One of the seeds we needed to stir around with pumice to get the sticky coating of propolis off.  It smelt so nice.

The other seeds we sprinkled onto the potting mix then put a layer of perlite on top. We then watered them.  Whaea Clare will be looking after them until our shade house is build.  Watch this space to see them growing.

It was also pruning time here at the kura and Whaea Clare showed the kids how to prune.  She explained about cutting the dead branches off if any overlapped each other, and how the tree needs to have the air flowing through the branches because that can deter many pests and diseases. Whaea Clare said it takes time to learn to prune well, and that she’s made mistakes but if you don’t make mistakes then you don’t learn.  There are good videos on YouTube and other websites to help you.