Abutilon ochsenii
| Abutilon ochsenii | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 13' |
| Width: | 10' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
Abutilon ochsenii
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[1]. Germination should take place within a few weeks. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots. Grow them on for at least the first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of young shoots, June in a frame[1]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[1]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.
Cultivation: Requires a sunny position or part day shade in a fertile well-drained soil[1]. Dislikes drought[1].
This species is only hardy in the mildest areas of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to between -5 to -10°c when given the protection of a south or south-west facing wall[2][3][1]. Plants are often deciduous in cold winters[4]. A deep mulch in winter and tying in growth to the wall will maximise protection in winter[1]. If the plant is cut back by cold weather, it will normally resprout from the base in the spring and can flower on the current year's growth[5].
Plants tend to be short-lived in Britain, dying suddenly without any apparent cause. This is probably because they flower so profusely that they die of exhaustion[2]. They produce an abundance of fertile seed, however, and this normally breeds true to type, though it will hybridise with the closely related A. vitifolium if this species is nearby[2]. Dead-heading plants to prevent seeding can enhance longevity[1].
This species is closely related to A. vitifolium[2].
Tip-prune young plants to promote a bushy habit, older plants can be cut back hard annually in spring if required[1].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.[1]
Range: S. America - Chile.
Edibility: Flowers - raw[K]. The flowers are up to 5cm in diameter[4], they have a mild, slightly sweet flavour and a slightly mucilaginous texture[K].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Corynabutilon ochsenii. Anoda ochsenii. Phil.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.