It is best to grow this plant from seed. The seed is collected from November to January. Determining the seed ripeness is rather tricky, so it is best to buy seed from a reliable source. The seed should be cleaned of any chaff.

Sow into seed trays, which have been prepared with a fynbos mix: 1 loam : 8 bark : 3 river sand : 2 bags fern fibre : 200 g ammonium sulphate. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of milled bark. Germination will only occur if seeds receive a smoke treatment. In a large-scale sowing, the seed trays are placed in a polyethylene tent and fynbos smoke is channeled into it. Smoke treatment has been made available to the public by capturing the active ingredients in the form of Smoke Primer. Soak the seeds in the water for 24 hours before sowing. Water lightly the day after sowing. Keep the seeds moist and under 20% shading.

Germination occurs after three weeks. The seeds should be given a light watering every second day. Soil should be kept moist, not wet. Once the seedlings have produced two culms, they can be pricked out into the same mix as sown in and given a light watering every second day. Keep the seedlings indoors r to harden off for the next six weeks and then they can be moved outside. After another six weeks, they can be planted into 1 kg bags and watered every third day, weather depending.

Once the seedlings are strong and growing vigorously, they can be planted into the garden. Planting can be done just before the rainy season since the plants need regular watering for the first few weeks until they have become established. The highest death rate in restios is usually caused by overwatering. Rhodocoma gigantea prefers acidic soils, and should be spaced 1 m apart. These plants are not suitable for growing in containers.

Acknowledgements:

Victor Julies, Restio specialist, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, for generously sharing information from his own observations, experience and research.