RECOMMENDATONS FOR PLANTING OF THE BIRDWING VINES (Pararistolochia praevenosa)

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(Summary from the Workshop Supplement Series) Ray Seddon

Time to Plant
	All year round
	After first spring rains. Protect from strong winds, cold & frosty periods.
Selection of Vines
	Strong root system with good structure and feeding tips.
	Strong healthy stems leaves and tendrils.
	Minimum age 2 to 3 year-old plants.
	Source from reputable or recognised Nurseries and growers.
	Only purchase Permit Authorised and Tagged plants.
	Vines to be watered well in Nursery before taken to a planting location.
Preparation of Planting Hole
	Take a moment to think about the life of this Vine. A Vine lives for many years. It will be still growing well beyond our lifetime and will support generations of the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly.
	Select a position 1 metre or more away from supporting tree or structure.
	Dig a hole 300mm x 300mm or larger.
	Ensure the sides and bottoms are broken up. This promotes root penetration and helps eliminate water logging in clay soils.
Due to the fine root structure of the vines it is advisable to work the soil to a fine texture and mix well with soil conditioner or organic matter.
Planting
	Loosen from pot by turning upside down while supporting with one hand.
	Do not tease out roots. It will damage the growing root tips and inhibit the healthy growth.
	Place in hole at ground level, gently backfill with the prepared soil until Vine is held secure.
	Do not press down or heel in. This again will damage the root tips and inhibit the healthy growth.
	Water the vine in using a diluted Seaweed Extract. (50 mls per 10 litres per plant). This gently consolidates soil around root ball and expels any air.

Support & Protection

Place Tree Protector and /or mesh around Vine supported by a hardwood stake away from root ball. This will help to eliminate wind damage, damage from mechanical maintenance and make for easy identification for watering.

Maintenance

To encourage vines into the tree canopies or supporting structures, the use of a coloured bailing twine red or pink attached between stake and support will help.

Mulch
	To keep roots cool and retain Moisture
	Eliminate weeds and establish more nutrients
	Encourage habitat for the pollinating midge. (Forcipomyia sp.)
Maintenance ( 3 Years )
	Groups appoint Maintenance Leader
	Weed elimination
	Watering regime
	Keep consistent records & send information for inclusion in the RBRN Data Base
Propagating from seed
	Vines grow easily from seed, although snails really love the newly emerged seedlings. The ripe seeds turn yellow or orange-yellow and become soft when ripe. Squish the seeds out into a container of water and wash the yellow fruity part away. They are fairly easy to strike from cuttings. The cuttings cannot be allowed to dry out at all until a good root system is achieved. They hate wind or sunlight for the first few weeks, so need a sheltered position. Once the roots develop they are hardier.
Planting out and growing on
	Best to plant vines that are well established and in at least 5 inch pots, rather than tube stock. Tube stock has a higher mortality rate.
	Moisture is very important. The vines are tough plants as long as they have adequate moisture.
	Grows best in direct sunlight, but soft edible leaves are produced when grown in shade. Therefore, revegetation sites may be a great place to grow new vines as they will grow quickly while exposed to the sun, and then over time as the revegetation plants grow and canopy closure occurs the vine will then start producing soft edible leaves.