Gaultheria adenothrix
| Gaultheria adenothrix | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Gaultheria adenothrix
Propagation: The seed requires a period of cold stratification. Pre-chill for 4 - 10 weeks and then surface sow in a lime-free compost in a shady part of the greenhouse and keep the compost moist[1]. The seed usually germinates well, usually within 1 - 2 months at 20°c, but the seedlings are liable to damp off. It is important to water them with care and to ensure that they get plenty of ventilation. Watering them with a garlic infusion can also help to prevent damping of[K]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are about 25mm tall and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter[K]. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. The seedlings are susceptible to spring frosts so might need some protection for their first few years outdoors. The leaves remain very small for the first few years[2].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood 3 - 6cm long, July/August in a frame in a shady position. They form roots in late summer or spring[1]. A good percentage usually take.
Division in spring just before new growth begins[3]. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Layering.
Cultivation: Prefers a moist but not boggy humus rich soil in shade or semi-shade[2][4]. A peat and moisture loving species, it requires a lime-free soil[2][4].
Plants are not fully hardy in Britain and can suffer badly in severe winters[5].
The plant can make a good nesting place for mice, these mice then eat the bark of the stems in winter causing die-back.
This species is like a miniature version of G. shallon[5].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].
Range: E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat: Coniferous woods and sub-alpine thickets in N. and C. Japan[6]. Edges of forests in more or less dry places at elevations of 400 - 1900 metres[7].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[8][9][10]. A sweet flavour. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[3].
Usage: A useful ground cover plant for a position in semi-shade[4][5]. It should be spaced about 45cm apart each way[5].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Adendromeda adenothrix. Diplycosia adenothrix.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ Flora of Japan.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.