Fragaria nubicola
| Fragaria nubicola | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Fragaria nubicola (common name: indian strawberry)
Propagation: Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. The seed can take 4 weeks or more to germinate. The seedlings are very small and slow-growing at first, but then grow rapidly. Prick them out into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out during the summer.
Division of runners, preferably done in July/August in order to allow the plants to become established for the following years crop[1]. They can also be moved in the following spring if required, though should not then be allowed to fruit in their first year. The runners can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. However, judging by its native range, it is likely to succeed outdoors in many areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Prefers a fertile, well-drained, moisture retentive soil in a sunny position[1]. Tolerates semi-shade though fruit production will be reduced[2].
Likes a mulch of pine or spruce leaves[3][4].
Range: E. Asia - Himalayas from Kashmir to western China.
Habitat: Open grassland at elevations of 1600 - 4000 metres in Nepal[5]. Meadows on mountain slopes, forests in valleys and forest edge at elevations of 2500 - 3900 metres[6].
Edibility: Fruit - raw[5]. A very pleasant strawberry flavour[K].
Medicinal: The juice of the plant is used in the treatment of profuse menstruation[5].
The unripe fruit is chewed to treat blemishes on the tongue[5].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Early Summer-Mid Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Simmons, Alan. Simmons' Manual of Fruit. David & Charles, 1978.
- ↑ Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ Baines, Chris. Making a Wildlife Garden.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.