Complete seed propagation guide by TOMs FLOWer CLUB

General background: What is Brachychiton populneus?

Brachychiton populneus, commonly known as the Kurrajong or Bottle Tree, is an evergreen to semi-evergreen tree native to Australia. It is prized for its sculptural, thickened trunk, leathery green leaves, and excellent drought tolerance. In cultivation, Brachychiton populneus is suitable both as a garden tree in mild climates and as a container-grown plant when young.

The species grows slowly to moderately and develops a strong root system early on. This makes seed propagation especially rewarding for patient growers who value robust, long-lived plants grown naturally.

Why propagate Brachychiton populneus from seed?

Seed propagation is the most reliable and natural method to grow healthy Brachychiton populneus. Seed-grown plants:

• develop stronger root systems

• show higher long-term resilience

• adapt better to local growing conditions

While leaf shape and growth vigor may vary slightly, the essential characteristics of the species remain stable.

Understanding Brachychiton seeds

After flowering, Brachychiton populneus produces woody, boat-shaped seed pods. Once mature, these pods split open and release numerous dark seeds covered in fine, irritating hairs.

Good to know: Always wear gloves when handling seeds or pods. The hairs can irritate skin and respiratory passages.

Cleaned seeds store well in a dry, cool place and remain viable for several years.

Best time to sow Brachychiton seeds

The optimal sowing period is spring to early summer.

Ideal germination conditions:

• Soil temperature: 20–25 °C

• Bright location with indirect light

• Frost-free environment

Indoor sowing or a greenhouse setup significantly improves germination success.

Step-by-step guide: How to propagate Brachychiton populneus from seeds

1. Seed preparation

Soak seeds in lukewarm water for 12–24 hours to soften the seed coat and promote even germination.

2. Substrate selection

Use a very well-drained, airy substrate.

Recommended mix (TOMs FLOWer CLUB):

• 50% mineral components (pumice, perlite, sand, or fine gravel)

• 50% high-quality organic soil or coco fiber

The substrate should retain slight moisture but never stay wet.

3. Sowing the seeds

• Place seeds horizontally on the substrate

• Cover lightly with 5–10 mm of soil

• Water gently to settle the mix

4. Germination phase

• Keep evenly moist, never soggy

• Maintain warmth and good airflow

Germination usually occurs within 2–4 weeks, though some seeds may take longer.

Seedling care after germination

Once seedlings appear:

• Move to a very bright location, avoiding strong direct sun initially

• Allow the substrate to dry slightly between watering

• Do not fertilize for the first 6–8 weeks

Because seedlings form a taproot early, deep pots are preferable.

Potting on and further cultivation

When seedlings reach 10–15 cm in height:

• Pot individually into deeper containers

• Use the same well-drained substrate

• Handle roots carefully to avoid taproot damage

Repotting is usually only required every 1–2 years.

Tips & hints for successful cultivation

• Less water is better than too much

• Drainage is essential at all stages

• Gradually acclimate young plants to sun

• Avoid cold, wet conditions, especially in winter

Good to know about Brachychiton populneus

• Juvenile and adult leaves can look very different

• Trunk thickening develops slowly and naturally

• Seed-grown plants are typically stronger than cuttings

• Ideal for growers who enjoy long-term plant development

How to Grow Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) Successfully in European Climates

Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides) is one of the most colourful foliage plants available to gardeners and plant lovers. Known for its vibrant leaf patterns in shades of green, burgundy, pink, yellow, and near-black, coleus is easy to grow when its basic needs are understood.

In Europe, coleus is typically grown as a seasonal outdoor plant or as a perennial indoor plant, as it is not frost-hardy. This guide explains how to care for coleus under European climate conditions, whether on a balcony, terrace, garden bed, or indoors.

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Is Coleus Hardy in Europe?

Coleus is not winter-hardy in most European regions. Temperatures below 10 °C can damage the plant, and frost will kill it.
For this reason:

• Outdoors, coleus is grown from late spring to early autumn

• Indoors, it can be overwintered as a houseplant

• Many gardeners propagate coleus from cuttings each year

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Light Requirements for Coleus

Proper light is essential for strong growth and intense leaf colour.

• Best light: bright, indirect light

• Outdoors: partial shade or morning sun

• Indoors: close to a bright window, without strong midday sun

Too much direct sun may scorch leaves, while insufficient light can cause faded colours and leggy growth.

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Ideal Temperature for Coleus

• Optimal growth temperature: 18–28 °C

• Minimum temperature: 10–12 °C

• Protect from cold drafts and sudden temperature drops

In Central Europe, coleus should only be planted outdoors after the last frost in spring.

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How Often to Water Coleus

Coleus prefers evenly moist soil.

• Water regularly during the growing season

• Allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings

• Avoid waterlogging, especially in containers

Coleus may wilt quickly when dry but usually recovers after watering.

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Best Soil for Coleus Plants

For healthy root growth, use:

• A loose, well-draining, organic substrate

• Soil enriched with compost or coconut fibre

• Added perlite or sand for drainage

Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot.

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Fertilising Coleus for Strong Colour

Coleus is a moderate feeder.

• Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 10–14 days

• Fertilise only during active growth (spring to summer)

• Avoid excessive nitrogen, which causes soft growth and weaker colour

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Pruning and Pinching Coleus

Regular pruning keeps coleus compact and colourful.

• Pinch shoot tips to encourage bushy growth

• Remove flower spikes early

• Cut back leggy plants if necessary

Pruning improves both shape and leaf colour intensity.

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Growing Coleus Outdoors in Europe

Coleus is ideal for:

• Balconies and terraces

• Containers and mixed planters

• Shaded garden beds

Protect plants from strong wind, heavy rain, and intense midday sun.

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Overwintering Coleus in Europe

Before temperatures drop below 10 °C, bring coleus indoors.

• Place in a bright room at 15–18 °C

• Water sparingly

• Do not fertilise during winter

Alternative: Overwintering via Cuttings

Taking cuttings in late summer is the most reliable method to keep your favourite varieties.

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How to Propagate Coleus

Coleus is very easy to propagate.

• Take stem cuttings (8–10 cm)

• Root in water or moist soil

• New plants establish quickly

Propagation ensures identical plants and strong growth.

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Common Coleus Problems

• Pale leaves: insufficient light or over-fertilisation

• Wilting: underwatering or heat stress

• Leggy growth: lack of pruning or low light

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Conclusion

Coleus is a versatile and low-maintenance foliage plant for European gardeners. With proper light, regular pinching, and frost protection, it offers outstanding colour from spring to autumn.

Explore selected plants, botanical inspiration, and curated collections at TOMs FLOWer CLUB—where plant cultivation meets long-term design thinking.

An Invitation to Color, Form, and Memory

“The tulips are too excitable, it is winter here”

Ini de Taillez - Alexandra Centmayer
Kultur am Kelterberg, Stuttgart, Germany

Winter is often perceived as a season of stillness. Yet this exhibition reminds us that beneath the surface, color, memory, and artistic dialogue continue to unfold.

TOMs FLOWer CLUB warmly invites you to the exhibition “The tulips are too excitable, it is winter here”, presenting works by Ini de Taillez and Alexandra Centmayer at Kultur am Kelterberg in Stuttgart & Germany.

Two Generations - One Medium

This exhibition brings together mother and daughter, united through the medium of painting, yet distinct in artistic language. Alexandra Centmayer encounters the work of her late mother, Ini de Taillez, in a deeply personal and visual dialogue - one shaped by color, form, light, and emotional continuity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The title, borrowed from a line by Sylvia Plath, alludes to the radiant tulip paintings by Ini de Taillez - works that pulse with intensity even in the quiet of winter. What was originally conceived as a joint artistic project has become, after her mother’s passing, a continuation and transformation by Centmayer.

A Dialogue of Color and Form

Between the two artistic positions emerges a conversation about closeness and independence. While de Taillez’s tulips dissolve increasingly into color and atmosphere, Centmayer’s visual language condenses into reduced structures, mirrored formations, and abstract clarity.

Centmayer discovers a shared emotional ground with her mother’s lifelong motto: “Addicted to color.” This affinity becomes the emotional anchor of the exhibition.

Moving Images, Living Cycles

As part of the exhibition, Alexandra Centmayer presents her animation film “Rise and Fall” (2024). The film traces the blooming and fading of an amaryllis

- an image that quietly echoes themes of transformation, remembrance, and the enduring presence of color through winter.

Exhibition Details

Vernissage
Saturday, 6 December 2025, 6:00 PM
Welcome: Gabriele Vieten
Introduction: Ingrid Schütz in conversation with Alexandra Centmayer

Finissage
Sunday, 4 January 2026, 3:00 PM

 

 

 

Opening Hours
Saturdays & Sundays, 3:00 – 6:00 PM

Venue
Kultur am Kelterberg e.V.
Kelterberg 5
70563 Stuttgart / Germany
(Gallery on the first floor)

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At TOMs FLOWer CLUB, we believe that plants, art, and seasons share a common rhythm. This exhibition is an invitation to slow down, to observe color beyond bloom, and to experience how artistic legacies continue to grow - quietly, persistently, and beautifully.

We warmly recommend this exhibition to all lovers of art, color, and thoughtful storytelling.

Some paintings feel like sudden bursts of colour — small shocks of beauty that light up the quiet spaces in between. Emil Nolde’s Red Flowering Cactus (1920) belongs to this rare category: a work that glows from within, fuelled by the intensity of one remarkable plant.

Art historians often trace Nolde’s floral works to the blossoms he cultivated around his home. Among them, one plant stands out as a fitting muse for Red Flowering Cactus: Epiphyllum ackermannii, the orchid cactus known for its dramatic, luminous red flowers.

With blooms reaching up to 15 cm and stems that cascade in sculptural arcs, the plant embodies both delicacy and expressive force — qualities that echo through Nolde’s painting.

This connection invites a new reading of the artwork: not merely as a study in colour, but as an homage to a species whose intensity mirrors Nolde’s own emotional palette.

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Epiphyllum Ackermannii: The Living Flame Behind the Painting

A Tropical Epiphyte With Sculptural Form

Native to the humid forests of Central and South America, Epiphyllum ackermannii is an epiphytic cactus that grows on trees and rocks, far from the desert imagery usually associated with cacti.

Its flat, leaf-like stems often extend over several metres, creating hanging, ribbon-like forms. This cascading silhouette appears reflected in Nolde’s composition: the sense of movement, the organic curve, the bloom that emerges out of a flowing structure rather than a rigid spine.

A Bloom That Commands Attention

The orchid cactus produces large, bright red flowers—saturated, open, and almost otherworldly. These blossoms are short-lived but unforgettable, a flash of intensity that feels almost painted by light.

Nolde captures precisely this ephemeral radiance: the way red can pulse, expand, and soften all at once. His watercolour on Japanese paper mirrors the plant’s natural translucency, where pigment seeps into the fibres the same way colour saturates a living petal.

Colour as Emotion, Nature as Catalyst

Nolde never aimed for botanical realism. Instead, he sought emotion, vibration, and the soul of colour. The orchid cactus, with its dramatic yet tender bloom, becomes the perfect conduit between nature and expressionism.

Its glowing red—neither ornamental nor aggressive—reads as an inner fire.
A quiet declaration.
A moment of living intensity.

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When Craft and Nature Intertwine

A Plant for Collectors, A Painting for Contemplation

Epiphyllum ackermannii has long been cherished by plant lovers for its manageable care, provided it receives filtered light, high humidity and well-drained soil. It flowers generously in spring and summer but demands restraint in watering — a plant that thrives on moderation.

This balance between exuberance and discipline is mirrored in Nolde’s brushwork. His restraint in detail, his emphasis on luminous colour fields, and his focus on essential form all echo the plant’s own natural clarity.

Neither plant nor painting strives for excess.
Both speak through purity.

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Through the lens of Epiphyllum ackermannii, Nolde’s Red Flowering Cactus becomes more than a flower study. It transforms into a dialogue between artist and plant — a moment where tropical brilliance meets northern expressionism.

In this conversation, colour becomes memory, nature becomes muse, and a single red bloom continues to radiate its inner light across more than a century.