Asparagus abyssinicus
| Asparagus abyssinicus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Asparagus abyssinicus
Propagation: Seed - pre-soak 12 hours in warm water and sow spring or as soon as the seed is ripe in early autumn in a greenhouse. It usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 25°c[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[K].
Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth. It is best to pot up the divisions and grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame until they have rooted well.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Easily grown in any good garden soil[2]. Prefers a rich sandy loam[3].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: N. Africa - Ethiopia
Edibility: Young shoots - cooked[4].
Root - cooked[5].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Dioecious
Links
References
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.