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'''Kowhai''' are a tree native to New Zealand. They are a [[legume]] in the [[genus]] ''[[Sophora]]''. In total there are eight species, of which ''[[sophora microphylla]]'' is the most common. ==Cultivation== The kowhai is a common feature along river edges throughout all of New Zealand. The trees will usually get to around 8 metres high with a similar spread. They prefer free draining soil. ===Propagation=== The seeds need to be treated specially to make them grow. In nature the hard outer shell of the Kowhai seed erodes away as it tumbles down streams, so the shell needs to be damaged somehow to allow water to soak into it. To allow this, one can take small nicks out of the shell using a pair of nail clippers or some similar instrument. After the chitting, the seed needs to be placed in a container of water to soak for a night.<br> The seeds are best planted in a coarse mix to allow for good drainage, this prevents rotting or fungal infections.<br> The germination period is 14-21 days. The Kowhai can be grown from cuttings during autumn and early winter. They will take about 60-100 days to root and can be planted out in spring. ===Pests and diseases=== The Kowhai caterpillar is a bright-green and black caterpillar that strips the leaves of the kowhai. The treatment for such a problem is the use of an insecticide such as [[Orthene]] (NZ), [[Mavrik]] (NZ), [[Shield]] (NZ) or [[Super Shield]] (NZ).<ref>Yate's 'Garden Problem Solver', HarperCollins, New Zealand, 2001</ref> ==Species== *''[[Sophora chathamica]]'' *''[[Sophora fulvida]]'' *''[[Sophora godleyi]]'' *''[[Sophora longicarinata]]'' *''[[Sophora microphylla]]'' *''[[Sophora molloyi]]'' *''[[Sophora prostrata]]'' *''[[Sophora tetraptera]]'' ==Gallery== <gallery perrow=5> File:Starr 040214 0077 sophora chrysophylla.jpg|[[Sophora chrysophylla]] File:Smacrocarpa11.JPG|[[Sophora macrocarpa]] "mayu", ex hortus File:Kowhai flowers.jpg| File:KowhaiDrawing.jpg| File:Starr 031108-2065 Sophora tomentosa.jpg|[[Sophora tomentosa]] Image:Upload.png| photo 2 Image:Upload.png| photo 3 </gallery> ==References== <references/> *[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963 <!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 --> <!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 --> <!--- xxxxx *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 --> ==External links== *{{wplink}} {{stub}} __NOTOC__
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