Phormium from seed ?

[Thunderbird+]

Hi, I have a lovely Phormium tenax var cookianum (New Zealand flax) It has beautiful greyish green leaves with a brozy tinge, this year its flowered well and produced lots of seeds. I've found tips on germinating the seed but would really like to know ifthe seedlings will come true to the variety or are they likely to be variable, as I would like to give some to friends, who have admired my plant.

Ps, Dividing the plant is not really an option, as I'd like to keep it intact Thanks Tbird+

[Hard@it]

Hi T'bird - out of interest how long have you had this Phormium, we have had 6 really large for 8 years but never flowering, (in garden not pots) ?
Having marvellous success with Arum Lillies in pots, with one giant flower after another,never mor at once.
Sorry can't help with answer.
Cheers Hard@it

[skylight]

Hi Tbird, According to this site your phormium should grow true from seed - http://vandusen.plantexplorers.com/product_inf o.php/products_id/324 - Did you know that Phormium means 'Basket or Wickerwork' referring to the use made of the leaves, Tenax means' Holding Fast ' reffering to the strong fibres and Cookianum is named after Captain Cook Best of luck Skylight

[skylight]

Hi Hard@it, If your Phormiums are healthy and growing I would tend to start feeding them in the spring with liquid potash ( eg Tomorite). This should encourage them to produce flower stalks. Tbird might have more helpful suggestions. cheers Skylight

[Thunderbird+]

Hi Hard@it, I've had the Phormium a good few years now 6 or 7 maybe more, I rescued it from a garden where the owner had planted it in totally the wrong place, right next to his driveway and it had got to the point where it was getting difficult to get his car in and out of the garage, it looked like a pretty old plant, back then when I dug it out and gave it a new home.
Along with Skylights good advice, I'd like to add that although it seems to show good drought resistance, it preferes plenty of water with good drainage and a sunny spot to be at its best Good Luck Tbird+

Hi Skylight, Many thanks for the great site re Phormium info, Just what I was looking for!
Its nice to get a bit of background history too, I thought the leaves was used to make grass skirts, but I could have been dreaming lol
It seems only in the last ten years or so that its been considered hardy enough to be grown outside in most of the Uk, maybe this says something about climate change ?

[Hard@it]

Apologies to you T'bird for the 'Hi-jack' of your question, and thanks to you both. Will look at site and follow through with tips next season. Cheers Hard@it