ANOTHER MEDICINAL HONEY PRODUCING PLANT – JELLY BUSH ‘TANTOON’ YELLOW TEA-TREE IS A TREASURE IN THE GARDEN! AKIN TO MANUKA, THEY ARE YET TO FIND A BACTERIA IMMUNE TO MANUKA AND THIS ONE IS PROVING JUST AS DEVASTATING TO BACTERIA TOO! SOON TO BE THE NEXT BIG THING IN HONEY PRODUCTION!

While Manuka honey is a well-known medicinal honey, derived from the Leptospermum scoparium in New Zealand, it is hopeful that Australia also has species capable of producing honey with similar, or even better, properties.

One such plant with similar properties is the Jelly Bush or Tantoon (Leptospermum polygalifolium), naturally occurring in NSW and Queensland. The potential for this work and project to have an impact on human health is significant ? they are yet to find a bacteria that is resistant to Manuka honey, and the fact that it is naturally derived means that it is more accessible for more people to use.

Leptospermum polygalifolium is a shrub, often 0.5 to 3 metres in height, or a slender trunked tree to 7 metres or more. It is hardy and can be relied on to produce a good display of flowers each year. Useful screen and windbreak.

Occurs from central eastern New South Wales to the southern border with Victoria.

An attractive plant often used as an ornamental. It grows to around 2 – 4m.

Flowers are usually white but may be greenish, off-white to pale pink and are usually 10 to 15 mm in diameter.

The honey produced is very similar in terms of its chemical structure and medicinal properties compared to manuka honey produced from the flowers of Leptospermum scoparium (manuka).

TINY SEEDS, MIX WITH GRAINS OF SAND TO AID DISTRIBUTION IF NEEDED.

Grow Notes
Suitable for Cold, Temperate, Dry, Mediterranean, Tropical and Sub-Tropical climates.

Plant in full sun, it can handle being planted in a range of soil types and does quite well in containers but overall likes sandy well-draining soils best.

Sow
Although seed can be sown most of the year in Australia it is generally best sown in Spring or Autumn in Temperate climates, avoiding the coldest and hottest months of the year.

Raise seedlings by sprinkling seeds onto the seed raising mix, barely cover with sand and moisten with a spray bottle to avoid disturbance. Cover pot with plastic wrap.

Place in a warm spot or use a heat mat to maintain warmth. Filtered light is best.

Keep soil moist, not wet.

Once sprouted, move to position with morning sun for the first year then plant out in full sun.

Germination
14-35 days at 18-22°C

Maturity
2-3 years to flowering.