Gentiana veitchiorum
Gentiana veitchiorum
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Gentiana veitchiorum is native to mountainous regions in the temperate zone of the Himalayas, where it can be found at elevations up to 4,800 metres. A rather cold-tolerant plant, when fully dormant it can withstand temperatures down to about -20°c[1]. Gentiana species generally grow best when there is ample moisture to the roots in the growing season, but they also require very good drainage[1]. Often being native to mountainous regions, they require a certain minimum of atmospheric humidity; a high light intensity; but also a site where temperatures are not too high in the growing season[2]. They are therefore more difficult to grow in areas with hot summers and in such a region they appreciate some protection from the strongest sunlight[1, 2]. This species needs a moist, acid soil, and is not very vigorous - it has proven to be difficult to please in cultivation. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance[1].
Propagation
Seed - this species can hybridize so may not always breed true[2]. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame[1]. It can also be sown in late winter or early spring but the seed germinates best if given a period of cold stratification and quickly loses viability when stored, with older seed germinating slowly and erratically[1, 2]. It is advantageous to keep the seed at about 10°c for a few days after sowing, to enable the seed to imbibe moisture[2]. Following this with a period of at least 5 - 6 weeks with temperatures falling to between 0 and -5°c will usually produce reasonable germination[2]. It is best to use clay pots, since plastic ones do not drain so freely and the moister conditions encourage the growth of moss, which will prevent germination of the seed[2]. The seed should be surface-sown, or only covered with a very light dressing of compost. The seed requires dark for germination, so the pots should be covered with something like newspaper or be kept in the dark until germination begins[2]. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. The seedlings grow on very slowly, taking 2 - 7 years to reach flowering size[2]. When the plants are of sufficient size, place them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Division in spring[2]. Cuttings of non-flowering shoots in early summer[2]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Gentiana+veitchiorum>
Pollinators
Insects
References
- [1]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
- [2]Gentians. — Köhlein. F. · Christopher Helm. London. · 1991 · ISBN 0-88192-192-0 ↩︎A nice readable book, giving details of habitats and cultural needs for many of the members of this genus, with brief notes on other genera in the family.
- [3]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
- [4]Rapid identification and quantitative analysis of chemical constituents of Gentiana veitchiorum by UHPLC-PDA-QTOF-MS — Shan Li et al · 2016 · http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjp.2016.10.003 ↩︎