Castanopsis sieboldii
Castanopsis sieboldii
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Castanopsis species are generally found in subtropical and tropical climates, those species that can tolerate colder winters generally also require hot summers. Thus hardy members of this genus tend to grow well in Mediterranean climates and in warm continental climates with mild winters - although frost tolerant, they often do not thrive in more maritime climates with their cooler summers, even if the winters are mild. This species can tolerate occasional temperatures falling to around -10°c when dormant. Prefers a good deep medium to stiff loam[1]. Requires a sheltered position in semi-shade and a lime-free soil[2]. The catkins have an unpleasant hawthorn-like smell to attract midges for their pollination[3]. The seeds take two growing seasons to reach maturity[4].
Propagation
Seed - requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[2]. The seed has a short viability and should not be allowed to dry out. It can be stored for a few months if kept cool and moist (putting it in a plastic bag that is placed in the salad compartment of a fridge works well). Stored seed should be soaked in warm water for 24 - 48 hours prior to sowing[2]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 15°c[2]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in mid summer if possible, otherwise grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in late spring. Give the young plants some protection from cold for their first few winters outdoors. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Castanopsis+sieboldii>
Pollinators
Wind, midges
References
- [1]RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 — F. Chittendon. · Oxford University Press · 1951 · ISBN - ↩︎Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]).
- [2]Growing from Seed. Volume 3. — Bird. R. (Editor) · Thompson and Morgan. · 1989 · ISBN - ↩︎Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.
- [3]Scented Flora of the World. — Genders. R. · Robert Hale. London. · 1994 · ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
- [4]New Trees — Grimshaw J.; Bayton R.; Wilks H. · Kew Publishing; London · 2009 · ISBN 1842461737 ↩︎Provides comprehensive botanical descriptions and horticultural commentary on over 800 tree species that have been introduced to cultivation in recent decades.
- [5]Tropical Timbers of the World. Ag. Handbook No. 607. — Chudnoff. Martin. · USDA Forest Service. Wisconsin. · 1984 ↩︎Terse details on the properties of the wood of almost 400 species of trees from the Tropics.