This is my youngest Davidia leafing out. Since Davidia are rare in these parts(ok, there are none, at least no others I know of), I was wondering if this is normally how they leaf out with this awesome purple color. I have another one, and it leafed out plain green. Anyone with Davidia experience?
No experience with that tree at all but I'd like to have experience with it even though its from Asia somewhere. That's the Handkerchief Tree, right? Where did you ever find that?
Dove Tree, Handkerchief Tree--It has been a solitary quest of mine to find some cold hardy individuals that can be grown in Zone 5. Textbooks say var. vilmoriniana is hardy to Zone 5, but Zone 5 disagrees. Go read the story of its discovery--quite interesting. Unfortunately, all the genetics of this tree outside China had stemmed from a couple late 1800--early 1900's seed collections. Genetics were very limited. I even arranged for 3 pounds of seed to be shipped, from a Northern China cold hardy source, but it got turned back at customs because too much sand was on it. It is a protected tree in China. Recently, some seedlings have been trickling out of China to US nurseries. I got the purple leaved version from Camellia Forest Nursery, and the other plant from Fairweather. Both represent new genetics to the USA, and were worth a try. So far, so good. The purple leaved version(only about a foot tall) spent one winter out, the Fairweather version(about 5' now) has done 3 winters. I can only dream of blooms one day--it could take a loooooong time.
I can't say I've ever seen one with such red foliage. Very cool! If you ever need seed, I collect about a few buckets a year.
Growin and Kevin, I harvested a little seed in Seattle a few years ago and was unable to get any germination. What's your technique? Not that I would expect it to be winter (or summer) hardy here anyway, but I try things a few times before giving up and there are many surprises still thriving here as a result.
Guy S.
I'd suspect it'll turn greener as the leaves expand to full size. But it could also have better autumn colour than green plants - a lot of species with good red autumn colours also leaf out reddish.
Red pigments like this appear to be involved in thermoregulation, and are often shown more obviously by high altitude origin plants. So there's a possibility (not more) that this individual might prove hardier than average.
Well worth propagating.
Resin
Cool!
Thanks Resin--I will take any bit of encouraging information!
Guy--from what I have read, people have tried to tear apart the fruit to get individual seed out with not much success. Those who were successful just put the whole thing in the ground and tried to tease out individuals when they eventually emerged. Ken at Oikos has tried a number of methods--he would be a good one to ask as he is now selling seedlings.
Growin--thanks for the offer, but it's the US origin genetics that don't seem to be hardy. I guess I have to travel to China, to remote frigid areas, and seek out that undeniably hardy individual that is loaded with seed, get approval from the Chinese government to harvest it and bring it back, germinate it successfully, grow it successfully, and THEN enjoy the flowers. I'll get right on it.
http://www.heronswood.com/ This nursery has the tree available. Dan Hinkley goes to china often to collect.
Kevin,
If you get all that arranged, I'll go with you.
Guy, I collected a few seeds three years ago in Seattle, as well. Washington Park Arb? There were tons on the ground. Like you, I got nothing to germinate.
Scott
This message was edited May 10, 2006 8:07 PM
Soferdig--Heronswood has 'Sonoma', which is not anything new and different genetically(meaning I have killed that one too). It's from a tree in California. I don't think one can just go in and collect Davidia seed since it is protected.
Scott--does that airline of yours have cheap flights to China?
Kevin,
Really cheap for me! For you? If they're trying to get concessions from every poor b------ who has the misfortune to work for them, and they want to show a loss, then, yes, the fares are cheap. Once they're finally convinced that they can milk us for no more, and they want to show a profit, the fares will rise.
Peking should get us close!
Scott
I guess I'll just have to wait until you get your hardy stock from China and then come begging. I have oaks to tend!
Scott, my seed came from some large trees over near Jimi Hendricks (spelling?) old house, not from the arb. But same difference regarding lack of germination.
Guy S.
Update--still looks good
The plant is smarter than that weenie next to it
