Difference between revisions of "Kowhai"
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|exposure=sun, part-sun | |exposure=sun, part-sun | ||
|water=moist, moderate | |water=moist, moderate | ||
| − | |features=evergreen, flowers, birds, wildlife, bonsai, hummingbirds | + | |features=evergreen, flowers, birds, wildlife, bees, bonsai, hummingbirds |
|flower_season=early spring, mid spring | |flower_season=early spring, mid spring | ||
|flowers=yellow | |flowers=yellow | ||
| + | |Min Temp Num=10 | ||
|Temp Metric=°C | |Temp Metric=°C | ||
| + | |min_zone=8 | ||
| + | |max_zone=10 | ||
|image=Sophora denudata (flowers).JPG | |image=Sophora denudata (flowers).JPG | ||
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===Pests and diseases=== | ===Pests and diseases=== | ||
| + | The Kowhai caterpillar is a bright-green and black caterpillar that strips the leaves of the kowhai. The treatment for such a problem is the use of an insecticide such as [[Orthene]] (NZ), [[Mavrik]] (NZ), [[Shield]] (NZ) or [[Super Shield]] (NZ).<ref>Yate's 'Garden Problem Solver', HarperCollins, New Zealand, 2001</ref> | ||
==Species== | ==Species== | ||
Latest revision as of 05:53, 26 January 2010
.JPG)
| Habit | tree
| |
|---|---|---|
| Height: | ⇕ | 5 m"m" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 5. to 12 m"m" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 12. |
| Width: | ⇔ | 4 m"m" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 4. to 10 m"m" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 10. |
| Lifespan: | ⌛ | perennial |
| Origin: | ✈ | New Zealand |
| Poisonous: | ☠ | All parts possibly poisonous |
| Bloom: | ❀ | early spring, mid spring |
| Exposure: | ☼ | sun, part-sun |
|---|---|---|
| Water: | ◍ | moist, moderate |
| Features: | ✓ | evergreen, flowers, birds, wildlife, bees, bonsai, hummingbirds |
| Minimum Temp: | ☃ | 10°C50 °F <br />283.15 K <br />509.67 °R <br /> |
| USDA Zones: | 8 to 10 | |
| Flower features: | ❀ | yellow |
|
Fabaceae > |
Sophora > |
Kowhai are a tree native to New Zealand. They are a legume in the genus Sophora. In total there are eight species, of which sophora microphylla is the most common.
Cultivation
The kowhai is a common feature along river edges throughout all of New Zealand. The trees will usually get to around 8 metres high with a similar spread. They prefer free draining soil.
Propagation
The seeds need to be treated specially to make them grow. In nature the hard outer shell of the Kowhai seed erodes away as it tumbles down streams, so the shell needs to be damaged somehow to allow water to soak into it. To allow this, one can take small nicks out of the shell using a pair of nail clippers or some similar instrument. After the chitting, the seed needs to be placed in a container of water to soak for a night.
The seeds are best planted in a coarse mix to allow for good drainage, this prevents rotting or fungal infections.
The germination period is 14-21 days.
The Kowhai can be grown from cuttings during autumn and early winter. They will take about 60-100 days to root and can be planted out in spring.
Pests and diseases
The Kowhai caterpillar is a bright-green and black caterpillar that strips the leaves of the kowhai. The treatment for such a problem is the use of an insecticide such as Orthene (NZ), Mavrik (NZ), Shield (NZ) or Super Shield (NZ).[1]
Species
- Sophora chathamica
- Sophora fulvida
- Sophora godleyi
- Sophora longicarinata
- Sophora microphylla
- Sophora molloyi
- Sophora prostrata
- Sophora tetraptera
Gallery
Sophora macrocarpa "mayu", ex hortus
photo 2
photo 3
References
- ↑ Yate's 'Garden Problem Solver', HarperCollins, New Zealand, 2001
- Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
External links
- w:Kowhai. Some of the material on this page may be from Wikipedia, under the Creative Commons license.
- Kowhai QR Code (Size 50, 100, 200, 500)
