Elegia capensis (100 seeds)

Elegia capensis (100 seeds)

Family: Restionaceae

Common names: Horsetail restio, besemriet, fonteinriet, katstert, kanet

Native to South Africa. It is a large, ornamental form plant for water features. It produces tall stems with soft-feathery leaves at regular intervals along its length. The golden-brown flowers are carried at the tip of the tall stems in October and November. It is a beautiful form plant that whispers in the wind. Prune back old stems regularly and thin out if it gets too large. Plant in ponds or beside water features or streams. If not in a pond, plant in rich but well-drained soil (as standing water can become stagnant) and water well in winter.

Sowing instructions: Before sowing, the seed should be treated with smoke or soaked in a smoke-water solution. The seed should be sown during early autumn, when the nights are cool, between 10°C and 15°C, and the days are still warm, between 20°C and 30°C. After about three weeks the seed germinates and after another six to nine weeks can be pricked out.

Locality: Simondium. Harvest: April 2024