Castanopsis tibetana
Castanopsis tibetana | |
Light: | |
Moisture: | |
Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
Evergreen | |
Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
Open Woods Forest | |
Native to: | |
Edible Rating: | |
Tea: | Yes |
Castanopsis tibetana
Propagation: Seed - requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1]. The seed has a short viability and should not be allowed to dry out. It can be stored for a few months if kept cool and moist (putting it in a plastic bag that is placed in the salad compartment of a fridge works well). Stored seed should be soaked in warm water for 24 - 48 hours prior to sowing[1]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 15°c[1]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in mid summer if possible, otherwise grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring. Give the young plants some protection from cold for their first few winters outdoors.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Prefers a good deep medium to stiff loam[2]. Requires a sheltered position in semi-shade and a lime-free soil[1].
Although cold hardy in Britain, this species really requires a warm continental climate if it is to prosper and it does not do well in the maritime climate of this country[3].
The seed takes two growing seasons from fertilization to maturity[4]. The catkins have an unpleasant hawthorn-like smell to attract midges for their pollination[5].
Range: E. Asia - China, Tibet.
Habitat: Broad-leaved evergreen forests; below 1500 metres in S Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, SW Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, SE Yunnan, S Zhejiang[4].
Edibility: Seed[6][7]. The conical seed can be up to 18mm long and 28mm wide[4]. No more details are given but the seed is likely to be eaten cooked.
Pollinators: Wind, midges
Soil: Can grow in medium and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall-Late Fall
Flower Type: Monoecious
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.