Growing More of the Mānuka
Already on Your Land
Maggie Olsen
Research Technician– Massey University
Manuka Research Consortium
What will a mānuka plantation look like?
• A mosaic of cultivars, eco-sourced, and wild trees will create a plantation
population that is:
– locally adapted (where necessary)
– higher quality (where possible)
You may have high quality mānuka already
growing on your land.
Advantages of local population
1. It is adapted to the local climate
2. Flowering time is appropriate
3. Truly local…it is yours!
What is “eco-sourcing”?
• Use of local (native) seed source for propagation
and planting to the same area.
We have adapted this eco-sourcing method to evaluate wild mānuka populations for future plantation establishment
Nectar Quality Test
• DHA quantity gives MGO
potential (UMF rating)
• Sugar content for bee
attractiveness.
Which trees produce the highest quality nectar for
us and for the bees?
• Flower quality and quantity
• Health and vigour
• Tree structure
• High seed production
• Representative sample of population
Which trees are tested?
Need a good consultant!
• No guarantee we find a
high quality nectar
source.
• Limited seed production
• Potentially longer
timeframe
What are the risks of eco-sourcing?
1. ANR: Assisted
Natural Regeneration
2. Wild regeneration
Used in environmental
remediation, not honey
production
Other establishment techniques?
Which path to take?
High performance cultivar
High quality eco-sourced trees
ANR
Higher cost
Lower cost
Higher nectar qualityLower nectar quality
Wild regeneration
What will a mānuka plantation look like?
• A mosaic of cultivars, eco-sourced, and wild trees will create a plantation population that is:– locally adapted (where necessary)
– higher quality (where possible)
• Each site will have a unique plan based on local opportunities
Any questions?
I would like to acknowledge and thank all of
the members and contributors of the Manuka
Research Partnership Ltd. (MRPL) group,
Massey University, and MFNZ