Stewartia rostrata |
Native Region: Eastern China
Zone Range: 6-8
Preferred Climate: Full to semi sun; moisture retentive humus rich acidic soils
Harvest Date: Wednesday 30 December, 2009
Seed count: 12-15
Description:
A rare species with single white flowers (occasional pink blotch) cupped in red bracts. Very attractive. Dark green foliage. Smallish upright form makes it a great addition for almost any garden. Good branching makes it somewhat shrubby. Reaches 9 metres at maximum height with an equal spread. Trouble free plants need good moisture retentive humus rich soil. Needs additional moisture and prefers shady sites if the summers are overly dry or hot.
Cultivation:
Soak seed for 24 hours. Seeds should swell. If seeds don't swell, briefly GENTLY scarify by rubbing seed with a small amount of sand between your palms. Use a plate to catch any fallen material. Resoak for 12 hours. Use a baggie of sterile moist medium or sow in a nursery pot and warm stratify 120 days at 15-18 C. Never let seed dry out. After the 120 days, the seed now needs to 90 days of cold stratification to complete the cycle. Expose to Spring like conditions of 20C for germination. Sow 4 mm deep, tamp soil and mulch helps retain moisture.
|
