The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

I live in the U.K and have had one of these beautiful little shrubs for quite a few years now. I would love to be able to take a cutting to grow it into a bonsai. Also how do I treat the seeds to get them to germinate please. I am unable to find any information on U.K. sites.
Regards Bridget

HI Bridget - you can get the seeds to germinate by nicking the outer yellow coat with a nail file, pour 70-80 C hot water on them and leave for at least 48 hours, or leave the seeds to soak for a week or so in water. The key is to get water inside the seed which stimulates germination. The seed pods float on water and are the kowhai dispersal mechanism. Alternatively you can also get a good strike rate if you sow the seeds when they are still somewhat green (before the outer coat has hardened and turned yellow).- but it can be hard to get the picking time just right.
For cutting use semi-hardwood cuttings taken when plants are actively growing. Wound the cut, use the appropriate root hormone (semi-hardwood), fine well-draining soil kept moist, and if possible use bottom heating. If bottom heating is used then roots are reported to form in 6 to 10 weeks

I use nail clippers to remove a tiny piece of the outer case from the end of the seed farther away from the point of contact between seed and pod. They then sit on a constantly wet tissue on the kitchen bench. The seeds swell in 24hr and go brown. I expect to see a root tip (from the uncut end) in about a week. At that time I put each germinated seed directly into potting mix in a small root trainer, later transferring to a PB2. Snails and slugs love the leaves.

Dear Astrid and Mike,
Thank you both so much for your help with my Sophors Prostrata.
I love this beautiful little shrub and bought it as a memorial to my Maine Coon cat now my daughter would like one so thought I would try doing a cutting.
regards Bridget