Asparagus setaceus
| Asparagus setaceus | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 10' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Asparagus setaceus (common name: asparagus fern)
Propagation: Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in 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.
Cultivation: Easily grown in any good garden soil[2]. Prefers a rich sandy loam[3].
This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c[4]. It might succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country if given a warm sheltered position[2].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: S. Africa.
Habitat: Mainly found in moist forests from Southern Cape province to Natal and north to Malawi.
Edibility: Young shoots[5]. No more details are given but it is likely that they are cooked and used like asparagus[K].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Dioecious
Also Known As: Protasparagus setaceus. (Kunth.)Oberm.
Links
References
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.