Searching for a Snottygobble Solution (Pursuit of Persoonias in pantyhose)

Snottygobble trees are well-loved small trees that are widespread in and around Roleystone and arragullen. Unfortunately, many are dying and they are not being replaced naturally.

Roleybushcare is very keen to replace them but Snottygobbles cannot be bought from nurseries. The seeds are extremely difficult to germinate. However, research by Kings Park and Alcoa suggests that the fruit need to be 'aged' in soil before they will germinate. Roleybushcare is now carrying out its own experiments - as seen below:

Collecting snottygobble fruit from below a mature tree - there are new and one year old fruit below the two trees.We collected kilos of fruit - the fruit were counted and split between old and new fruit, and tree1 and tree2

Persoonia elliptica fruit Persoonia longifolia  round fruit  

Preparing the trays

Firming down the river sand mix

Placing fresh green fruit in trays

Placing older fruit in trays

 Excess fruit were placed in pantyhose and will be buried in the garden. These will be dug up after 12 months and placed in river sand.

Now we wait to see if the fruit will germinate...but we need to be patient - could be 1,2 or 3 years. When they germinate the Snottygobble seedlings will be re-established in our local bushland reserves