 Ginkgo biloba |
Native Region: China (once world wide) Zone Range: 4-9 Preferred Climate: Full/semi sun; well draining soil. Harvest Date: Thursday 27 December, 2012 Seed count: 12-15
Description:
Unique leaves and glowing yellow autumn colour. Simply an awesome species. Gives very light shade so it won't compete with undergrowth. Grows to a very tall majestic tree. 1000 year old specimens are found growing on Chinese Buddist Temple grounds. Oldest living Ginkgo on record...3500 years, so plan well as your great-great-great grandchildren won't be too impressed if they have to move the tree.
Notes: Gendered species. Easy to grow. Tough enough for urban planting. Suitable for bonzai. Known as a "living fossil," the ginkgo is also named white fruit. During the Jurassic period of the Mesozoic era, the ginkgo was once widely distributed in the northern hemisphere,but began to decline in the end of the cretaceous period. When the Ice Age of the Quaternary period set in, ginkgoes in Europe, North America and most part of Aisa died out; now, wild ginkgoes only exist in the western mountains of Zhejiang province in China.
Cultivation: Fresh seed; will be stratified to maintain viability. Will not be offered when beginning to germinate-starts early April (then they're all mine!). This seed doesn't take kindly to being dry as this is lethal to the embryo. Deep pots are best to grow in. Sow thinly 2 cm deep in a layer of sand. Keep moist; stratify for 90 days; optimum germination temp: 20-25 C; days to germinate: 28-35. Protect seed and seedlings from varmits.
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