Olga bay Larch (Larix Gmelinii Olgensis) 20 seeds (#2371)

A species found in China, Korea and Russia, mainly in the mountains with a partially marine climate, at an altitude of 500-1800 m above sea level.
It is a tree growing up to 30 m high, with greyish-brown, peeling, longitudinally cracked bark on the trunk. The bark on young shoots is light brown, on older ones - dark gray. Conical crown, slender. Needles short (1.5-2.5 cm), narrow (1 mm), green, turning yellow in autumn. Young cones are purple or red-violet, light brown when ripe, ovoid or elongated.
The species is successfully introduced in Finland, valued for its loose, slender habit and intense color of young cones.
It grows best in a sunny position, in moist, but well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Recommended primarily for parks.
In the countries of natural occurrence, the durable, hard wood of the larch is used in construction, it is also used to make poles and supports for mines, for the production of railway sleepers.

Genus - Larix
Species - Gmelinii
Variety - Olgensis
Common name - Olga bay Larch
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 3 - 6
Height - 24 - 30 m
Spread - 8 - 10 m
Plant type - Large tree
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral
Soil type - Light (sandy), medium (loamy), heavy (clay)
Water requirements - Average, Wet
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees
Leaf / Flower color - Green, autumn - Yellow, Light Yellow / --

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
Seed - sow late winter in pots in a cold frame. One months cold stratification helps germination.
Seeds need 30 days pre-chill period. Seeds can be stratified in dampened peat or sand, in a plastic box or bag at +4-+5C in a refrigerator. The seeds should not be frozen or in a wet medium.
It is best to give the seedlings light shade for the first year. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots. Although only a few centimetres tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions in the summer providing you give them an effective weed-excluding mulch and preferably some winter protection for their first year. Otherwise grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in early summer of the following year.