Transplanting a Cherry Ballart

[BigWave]

I know that it's not the best forum to be asking this question, but it's the only one that I associate with.
So, has anyone had any success in transplanting a Cherry Ballart (Exocarpus Cupressiformus - external seed, cyprus like)?
They're almost impossible to germinate from seed.
I have quite a few spread over my property, and would like to move one to a front native garden bed.
I think that you may have to move them along with their host (Eucalypt/Wattle etc) whilst young, but what after say 2 years growth?
Would I need to take the entire Eucalypt as well?
My soil here is *****, which is why they grow so well :Y: :N:
I've even been fined heavily by council for accidentally driving over a small one in my 4WD as I was unaware of them or their protected status at the time
I reckon that if someone could find a way to cultivate them, then they would do very well

 

[Goldfreak]

Like you said very difficult if not impossible being a parasite. The host needs to be alive I assume ?

 

[BigWave]

At least until it's own root system is well established - so I believe. I have a few large ones (too big to transplant) next to long dead eucalypts (presumably their host).

 

[Goldfreak]

Might need a big excavator or something to keep the roots and surrounding soil intact. Being native and mature both work against making it easy.

 

[Bjay]

May also be a form of fungus or bacteria involved as some native orchids also rely on this

 

[Jaros]

Interesting topic.
Jaros

 

[Bjay]

If you get yourself a pet anticlinus he should be able to plant some seed for you. Apparently they know exactly where and how to plant them . Very interesting.

 

[Goldtarget]

Not much help but the old boy uses these as his Xmas tree every year, cuts them at the base and puts them in a barrel full of water, they last about 2 weeks like that. Maybe not as fragile as it may seem. They aren't easy to dig out though...As they are poisonous to stock I've spent a few decades pulling them out from the fringes of the grazing flats and bush. Best weapon of choice is the backhoe they will come out roots and all. Best time of year is either after heavy rains around March or about now before things dry out. As an aside I was interested in reading about the anticlnus as they are rife at the old man's. ...The Jackies have pulled a few bumpers off hot on the trail....

Before the Greenies go into meltdown about the above comment He has a small plot set aside that always regenerates to the point there's more there now than 40 years ago. Never heard of protected status?

 

[Bjay]

Sorry moving off topic a bit but funnily enough lots of Australian plant species actually benefit from human intervention which has been demonstrated for over 50000 years

 

[reefer]

Tough one this is.The Anticinus apparently has some type of enzyme which triggers the germination process. And they seem to have an uncanny knack of knowing just where to drop them 8) When I studied for my diploma there was no known way to successfully raise these from seed.As I recall they are possible to grow vegatively , from leaf cuttings. Although I think that its the modified stems that actually do the photosynthesis. Not sure of the technique for these buggers.. but I would follow general practice of soft tip cuttings in spring in a well drained medium using the 'bottom heat ' method...Good luck with it all...Rossco.C.of Hort... wollongong..1986.

 

[Goldfreak]

By "drop" them you mean take a crap right ? Sorry can't resist the chance to enjoy some anticinus toilet humour

 

[BigWave]

I am hoping to transplant two as they are slow growers, and don't have a pet antechinus to aid fertilisation.
Will keep researching, then maybe just bite the bullet and give it a shot.
They're a great shaped plant for the spot that I've in mind in the front garden.
Evidently, some of our indigenous community use their branches in a traditional welcome.
A strange plant indeed!

 

[Goldfreak]

You could try some hydrochloric acid lightly heated on the seeds to mimic digestion if you are into experimenting. Good luck with the move.