Tea Tree

[Earthbabe]

Ok bit of a long shot.

Have any of you lovely grapes cultivated tea tree plants?

I have managed to get some to germinate (they are smaller than my lobelia seedlings were ) but have no further instructions about where to go other than keep them under cover for the first winter. I suppose I just pot on as required and then aim to plant out next summer.

Any advice?

[Biscombe]

Sorry can't help, I have a baby TT plant looking forward to the replies

[shirley]

sorry I no idea but well done for getting that far

[shirley]

Is this any good??

Melaleuca alternifolia - (Maiden.&Betche.)Cheel.
Tea Tree
Author (Maiden.&Betche.)Cheel. Botanical references
Family Myrtaceae Genus Melaleuca
Synonyms
Known Hazards None known
Range Australia - New South Wales, Queensland.
Habitat Swamps by the coast[156].
Edibility Rating 0 (1-5) Medicinal Rating 5 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics
An evergreen Shrub growing to 6m by 4m.
It is hardy to zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower in June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats
Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses
Alterative; Antibacterial; Antiseptic; Aromatherapy; Diaphoretic; Expectorant.

Tea tree, and in particular its essential oil, is one of the most important natural antiseptics and it merits a place in every medicine chest[254]. It is useful for treating stings, burns, wounds and skin infections of all kinds[254]. An essential oil obtained from the leaves and twigs is strongly antiseptic, diaphoretic and expectorant[156, 157, 238]. It stimulates the immune system and is effective against a broad range of bacterial and fungal infections[238]. Internally, it is used in the treatment of chronic and some acute infections, notably cystitis, glandular fever and chronic fatigue syndrome[254]. It is used externally in the treatment of thrush, vaginal infections, acne, athlete's foot, verrucae, warts, insect bites, cold sores and nits[238]. It is applied neat to verrucae, warts and nits, but is diluted with a carrier oil such as almond for other uses[238]. The oil is non-irritant[238]. Another report says that high quality oils contain about 40% terpinen-4-ol, which is well tolerated by the skin and 5% cineol which is irritant. However, in poor quality oils the levels of cineol can exceed 10% and in some cases up to 65%[254]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Antiseptic'[210].

Other Uses
Essential; Wood.

An essential oil is obtained from the leaves[156, 157]. It is strongly germicidal and is also used in dentistry, deodorants, soaps, mouthwashes etc[156, 238]. Wood - very durable in wet conditions and in damp ground[167].

Cultivation details
Requires a fertile, well-drained moisture retentive lime-free soil in full sun[182]. Prefers a soil that does not contain much nitrogen[188]. Plants are shade tolerant and succeed in most soils and aspects except dry conditions when they are grown in Australian gardens[157]. This species is not very cold hardy and is only likely to succeed outdoors in the very mildest parts of Britain. It tolerates temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[157] but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens because of our cooler summers and longer colder and wetter winters. Seed takes about 12 months to develop on the plant, the woody seed capsules persist for 3 or more years[200]. Any pruning is best done after the plants have flowered with the intention of maintaining a compact habit[200]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

Propagation
Seed - surface sow in spring or autumn onto a pot of permanently moist soil in a warm greenhouse. Emmerse in 5cm of water and do not water from overhead. Grow on until the seedlings are 0.5cm tall then remove from the water and pot up a week later. Seedlings are liable to damp off when grown this way, sowing the seed thinly, good ventilation and hygiene are essential for success[200]. Grow the plants on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and then plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe lateral shoots with a heel, July/August in a frame[200].

[Earthbabe]

Wow thanks shirley, I'm impressed.

I now have four small plants and when I find the camera I'll post some pics. I lost a fifth one in a wind related incident on the patio. Not bad for seeds I could hardly see and seedlings that were smaller than lobelia ones when germinated.

Here we go. The tea tree plants are at the front. Even this young the foliage is scented with that recognisable aroma.

[shirley]

Wow they look brill. Well done. You will soon be manufacturing your own oils

[seasprout]

Tea Tree

I am growing a Tea Tree in a Temperate House, I did not think they were hardy. Mine is about 6Fft now.

I have seen one at the Eden project in their Temperate house and it was about 6-7ft.
Caterpillars are very attracted to it.

[Earthbabe]

They've overwintered!!

My four plants have successfully overwintered in my plastic growhouse (covered in a fleece) outside and are now nearing 20" tall each. I tried to upload a piccy but it's too big so I'll have to have a think on that and try again.

[shirley]

brilliant....so oil next ???

[ChocClare]

My four plants have successfully overwintered in my plastic growhouse (covered in a fleece) outside and are now nearing 20" tall each. I tried to upload a piccy but it's too big so I'll have to have a think on that and try again.

I am so impressed and love the smell of tea tree oil so hope it turns out brilliantly. Where did you manage to get seeds from in the first place? Can you buy them here or did you pick yours up on a trip to Australia?

[alldigging]

(I know it's an old thread)
I've been sent some seeds from a beekeeper in Cornwall.
He's very kindly sent out a few packets of seeds to people across the UK.
His tree had provided them!