Colletia ferox
| Colletia ferox | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Colletia ferox
Propagation: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing fresh seed as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse and stored seed as early in the year as it is received. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame[1].
Cuttings of mature side shoots of the current year's growth, 10 - 12cm with a heel, early winter in a cold frame. Leave for 18 months before potting up. Good percentage[2].
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 at least in the milder parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Grows well in a sandy freely draining loam where it flowers freely in a sunny position[3]. Succeeds in dry soils[3]. Plants tolerate partial shade if they are grown in a perfectly draining lean soil[1].
The plants do not have leaves, but they have very sharp spines which are used instead of the leaves in the function of photosynthesis[4].
A very slow growing plant[5].
Range: S. America.
Medicinal: Febrifuge[6].
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Rosewarne Experimental Horticultural Station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 1984.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.