Pittosporum balansae
| Pittosporum balansae | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 10' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Pittosporum balansae
Propagation: Seed - sow when ripe in the autumn or in late winter in a warm greenhouse[1][2]. The seed usually germinates freely. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, move the plants to a cold frame as soon as they are established and plant out late in the following spring[1]. Consider giving them some protection from the cold during their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 7cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Poor to fair percentage[1].
Basal ripewood cuttings late autumn in a cold frame[2].
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in any well-drained soil[3][2], including dry soils, preferably in a sunny position[3] but also succeeding in light shade[2].
Very amenable to pruning, plants can be cut right back into old wood if required[2].
The species in this genus are very likely to hybridize with other members of the genus[2]. When growing a species from seed it is important to ensure that the seed either comes from a known wild source, or from isolated specimens in cultivation.
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Range: E. Asia - China.
Habitat: Dense forests and streamsides in W Guangdong, SW Guangxi and Hainan Provinces[4].
Edibility: Fruit[5]. No more details are given.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no mention has been found for this species, some members of this genus contain saponins. Saponins are found in many foods, such as some beans, and although they are fairly toxic to people they are poorly absorbed by the body and most pass straigh
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.