Trochocarpa thymifolia

[Roma]

Trochocarpa thymifolia is or ?was in the Epacridaceae but that's close enough to Ericaceae (I think).
I've had this plant since spring 2008 and this is the first time it has flowered for me.

[Lesley Cox]

And very nice too as are many small Australian shrubs.

[johnw]

Well done Roma.   A cute little thing it is.

johnw

[Lesley Cox]

Hello Roma, I'm not sure if this post will work as I'm accessijng the thread through Google Chrome as a reference that came up when I typed in Trochocarpa. I wondered if you could tell me what the seedlings are like as today I saw 2 tiny plants in its pot, of seed sown in June 2008! They are dark browny/purple with minute pointed leaves. Of course they could be something entirely different but niothing that I recognise and believe me, I know most weeds by sight, even at the cotyledon stage. So far they are about 2mm across and have 2 sets of true leaves. Too small for a picture on my camera.

[Roma]

My Trochocarpa was bought as a plant, Lesley.  I think I did germinate seedlings a long time ago after several tries.  I lost the lot in a spell of hot weather after pricking them out.  Your seedlings sound like they could be the real thing but it was a long time ago so my memory could be faulty.

[Lesley Cox]

Thanks Roma. I might try a photo but by the thyme (sorry) I make it big enough to see, it will be very blurry. Marcus or someone in Australia may recognise it.

[Maggi Young]

I haven't grown this little gem from seed either- but your description of the tiny pointed bronzy purple leaves sounds just like I would be expecting- hope they are right !

[Lesley Cox]

Here's a picture Maggi, better than I expected on the whole. I noticed the label and it was sown in June 09 not 08 so a mere 3 and a half years - if true.

[Maggi Young]

I'll stick my neck out and say , yes!

[Roma]

I'd agree.  I seem to remember I had a lot germinated two or three years after sowing.  If only I hadn't been daft enough to prick them out in the summer time

[Lesley Cox]

Well I'll leave them for now and as there's a lot of space between the two, I can break the surface into 2 parts and just pot each with a lot of extra surround, into new compost but without disturbing the roots at all. Will wait at least until March, maybe next spring (Sept.) It seems one can't afford to throw out ANY pot of seed in case something may come up eventually, at least for species not previously known or grown.

[Otto Fauser]

Here's a picture Maggi, better than I expected on the whole. I noticed the label and it was sown in June 09 not 08 so a mere 3 and a half years - if true.

Lesley ,I came across your photo today - too small and young to be sure : if it is T. thymifolia or cunninghamii.As both are growing in my rockgarden I took a photo . T cunninghamii is on the left.

[Lesley Cox]

Thank you Otto. Judging from the foliage I'd say mine could be thymifolia all right, but yes, too soon to tell. The two tinies are still OK but still tiny.