Larix kaempferi
| Larix kaempferi | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 148' |
| Width: | 26' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Early Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Larix kaempferi (common name: japanese larch)
Propagation: Seed - sow late winter in pots in a cold frame. One months cold stratification helps germination[1]. It is best to give the seedlings light shade for the first year[2]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots. Although only a few centimetres tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions in the summer providing you give them an effective weed-excluding mulch and preferably some winter protection for their first year. Otherwise grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in early summer of the following year. The seed remains viable for 3 years[1]
If you are growing larger quantities of plants, you can sow the seed in an outdoor seedbed in late winter. Grow on the seedlings in the seedbed for a couple of years until they are ready to go into their permanent positions then plant them out during the winter.
Cultivation: Prefers an open airy position in a light or gravelly well-drained soil[3]. Plants are intolerant of badly drained soils, but they tolerate acid and infertile soils[3]. Succeeds on rocky hill or mountain sides and slopes[3]. A north or east aspect is more suitable than west or south[4].
This species is very cold-hardy when fully dormant, but the trees can be excited into premature growth in Britain by mild spells during the winter and they are then very subject to damage by late frosts and cold winds[4].
Slow growing for its first two or three years from seed, it is then very vigorous making between 1 and 1.5 metres increase in height a year[5]. The belief that older trees do not do so well is erroneous, 50 year old specimens in Britain are still growing rapidly[5]. Trees have been planted for timber in N.W. Europe[6].
The heavy leaf-fall from this species soon suppresses any other vegetation, including rhododendrons[5]
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[3]. There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value, most of these are dwarf forms[3].
Open ground plants, 1 year x 1 year are the best for planting out, do not use container grown plants with spiralled roots[3]. Plants transplant well, even when coming into growth in the spring[3].
The trees are attractive to small finches, tits and treecreepers[3].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].
Range: E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat: Mountains in C. Japan[7].
Usage: The heavy leaf-fall of this species has lead to it being planted as a fire-break in some areas where pine trees are grown[5].
A fast-growing tree, it can be used in shelterbelt plantings[3].
The bark contains tannin[8].
Wood - strong, heavy and durable[6][8].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Mitchell, Alan. Conifers in the British Isles. Stationery Office Books, 1975.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.