Description
Larix kaempferi (Japanese Larch) Seeds
Zones: 4 to 7.
Native to Japan.
The Japanese Larch grows naturally in the mountainous areas of Japan. It is a deciduous conifer. Its needles turn yellow and fall in autumn.
The Japanese Larch has an open pyramidal shape and horizontal branching with slender pendulous branchlets. Needles are green to glaucous blue-green, slender and short growing in brush-like clusters at the ends of short shoots along the branches. Cones are 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 4 cm), with overlapping scales forming a rosette appearance and brown. The bark is grey on younger trees, turning dark brown in mature trees.
The Japanese Larch is an attractive ornamental tree where space is available in parks, campuses and larger gardens. It likes a sunny site with moist, well drained soils. It is also widely used as a bonsai specimen.
Size: Height 80 to 90 ft; Width 30 to 40 ft.
Germination Instructions
Stratification: Provide 30 days cold moist stratification at 3° C (37° F) to 5° C (41° F).
- Soak seeds in water for 24 hours.
- Place seeds in sandwich bag(s) with a bit of damp sand or vermiculite to keep moist.
- Place the bag(s) with seeds in refrigerator for about 30 days.
- After the required time take the seeds out of the refrigerator and sow the seeds in pots 1/4 inch deep and cover lightly. Water gently so as not to wash away the seeds. Keep soil moist but not wet.
