Lupinus tauris
| Lupinus tauris | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Lupinus tauris
Propagation: Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early spring in a greenhouse. Germination should take place within a couple of weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.
It should also be possible to sow the seed outdoors in situ in the middle of spring. It might be necessary to protect this sowing from mice.
Division in early March[1]. Difficult.
Basal cuttings in April[1]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species but it should succeed as a spring-sown annual in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately good soil in a sunny position[2].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[2]. When removing plant remains at the end of the growing season, it is best to only remove the aerial parts of the plant, leaving the roots in the ground to decay and release their nitrogen.
Range: S. America - Andes.
Habitat: Found at elevations of 3000 - 3500 metres in the Andes of Ecuador.
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The seed of many lupin species contain bitter-tasting toxic alkaloids, though there are often sweet varieties within that species that are completely wholesome[3][4]. Taste is a very clear indicator. These toxic alkaloids can be leeched out of the seed
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.