Abies spectabilis - Himalayan Fir

Habitat

Exposition

Toutes expositions

Humidité

Humidité moyenne.

Sol

Tous sols. Tolère les sols très argileux.

pH

Non calcaire

Rusticité

Zone 7

Habitat originel

Forests in Nepal between 2700 - 3900 metres[243]. Moist open areas[272].

Origine géographique

E. Asia - Himalayas from Afghanistan to Nepal.

Usages médicinaux

• The leaves are astringent, carminative, expectorant, stomachic and tonic [240].
• The leaf juice used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis etc [240, 243, 272].
• An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used to treat colds, rheumatism and nasal congestion [272].
• The leaf juice is antiperiodic [240, 243].

Autres usages

• An essential oil is obtained from the plant, though the report does not give yields or uses [240].
• The dried leaves, mixed with other ingredients, are used in making incense [272].
• The wood is used for construction and thatching roofs [272].
• It is also used for fuel [272].

Culture

• Prefers a good moist but not water-logged soil [1].
• Pousse bien dans les sols très argileux .
• Plants are very shade tolerant, especially when young, but growth is slower in dense shade [81].
• Intolerant of atmospheric pollution [1].
• Prefers slightly acid conditions down to a pH of about 5 [200].
• Prefers growing on a north-facing slope [200].
• This species is unsatisfactory in south-eastern Britain due to damage by late frosts, trees rarely live more than 40 years and have a poor thin crown [185].
• Trees grow far better in the milder and moister western side of the country [11].
• Young trees are very slow to establish because they are often damaged by late frosts, it is best to grow the young trees in high shade to get them through this time [1, 185].
• Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm in height .
• Les arbres trop âgés se porteront mal et ne se développeront pas pendant plusieurs années .
• Cela affecte aussi dramatiquement le dévelopement des racines et la résistance au vent [200].
• Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly [200].
• Ils s'hybrident librement avec les autres membres du genre [200].

Propagation

• Seed - sow early February in a greenhouse or outdoors in March [78].
• Germination is often poor, usually taking about 6 - 8 weeks [78].
• Stratification is said to produce a more even germination so it is probably best to sow the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn [80, 113].
• The seed remains viable for up to 5 years if it is well stored [113].
• When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first winter in pots .
• Plantez les à leurs positions définitives à la fin du printemps ou au début de l'été, après les dernières gelées .
• Alternatively, if you have sufficient seed, it is possible to sow in an outdoor seedbed .
• One report says that it is best to grow the seedlings on in the shade at a density of about 550 plants per square metre[78] whilst another report says that they are best grown on in a sunny position [80].