Cupressus torulosa
| Cupressus torulosa | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 131' |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Cupressus torulosa (common name: himalayan cypress)
Propagation: Seed - sow late winter in a cold frame and only just cover the seed[1]. Three weeks cold stratification can improve germination rates[1]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 20°c. The seedlings are very subject to damping off so should be watered with care and kept well-ventilated[2]. 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 into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seed can store for several years[2].
Cuttings of almost ripe wood, September in a frost-proof frame[3]. April/May is the best time to take cuttings[2].
Cultivation: Thrives in a well-drained loamy or peaty soil[4]. Prefers cooler wetter summers than other members of this genus[5]. Tolerates poor sandy soils[6] but is then more subject to insect damage in a succession of dry seasons[4]. Requires a sunny position[6]. Subject to injury by the wind. Prefers a pH of 6 or lower[5].
This species is somewhat tender in Britain, succeeding only in the milder areas of the country, though some provenances should prove hardier[6].
Trees are slow growing in most of Britain, though growth is much faster in S.W. England and S. Ireland[7]. This species is planted on a small scale as a timber tree in Italy[8].
Cones can remain closed on the tree for a number of years, opening after the heat of a forest fire to scatter their seeds which then germinate and grow away quickly in the ashes of the fire[5].
The crushed foliage smells of lawn mowings[7].
Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[5].
Range: E. Asia - W. China to the Himalayas.
Habitat: Drier areas, especially on limestone, often in pure stands, from Himachel Pradesh to central Nepal at elevations of 1800 - 3300 metres[9][10][11].
Usage: The plant is burnt as an incense[9][10]. The leaves are used[11].
Wood - moderately hard, very durable. Used for general construction[9][12][10][11].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Monoecious
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Rushforth, Keith. Conifers. Batsford, 1991.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Mitchell, Alan. Conifers in the British Isles. Stationery Office Books, 1975.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Polunin, Oleg and Adam Stainton. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press, 1984.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Gupta, Basant. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press, 1945.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.