Arbutus xalapensis
| Arbutus xalapensis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-6.5 |
| Evergreen Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 39' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Arbutus xalapensis (common name: madrono)
Propagation: Seed - best surface sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed should be soaked for 5 - 6 days in warm water and then surface sown in a shady position in a greenhouse[1]. Do not allow the compost to become dry. 6 weeks cold stratification helps[2]. The seed usually germinates well in 2 - 3 months at 20°c[2]. Seedlings are prone to damp off[3], they are best transplanted to individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and should be kept well ventilated. Grow them on in a greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out in late spring after the last expected frosts[K].
Basal cuttings in late winter[4].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, November/December in a frame. Poor percentage[1].
Layering of young wood - can take 2 years[5][4].
Cultivation: Requires a lime-free nutrient-rich well-drained moisture-retentive soil in sun or semi-shade and shelter from cold drying winds, especially when young[4]. This species thrives on limestone soils and in dry conditions[6].
Plants are not very hardy in the colder areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[4].
Range: South-western N. America - Mexico.
Habitat: Drier oak forests from Sinaloa, Chihuahua and Nuevo Leon southwards. Usually found on limestone soils at elevations up to 3,000 metres[6].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.