Dragon Spruce (Picea Asperata) 30 seeds (#278)

Picea asperata is an evergreen Tree growing to 40 m (131ft 3in) at a medium rate.
It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Wind.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.The plant prefers acid and neutral soils. and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade.It requires dry or moist soil.The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Likes abundant moisture at the roots, if grown in drier areas it must be given a deep moist soil. Succeeds in wet cold and shallow soils but is not very wind-firm in shallow soils. This species prefers a dry cold high mountain site. Prefers a pH between 4 to 6. Dislikes shade. Tolerates poor peaty soils. Intolerant of atmospheric pollution. Resists wind exposure to some degree. This species has been planted experimentally in Europe as a timber tree. Growth of young trees is usually very slow due to damage by late spring frosts. However, once trees get above 2 metres (which can take 10 years or more) growth increases and can be fairly rapid with an average of 30cm a year common. In some upland areas, especially over granitic or other base-poor soils, growth rate and health have been seriously affected by aluminium poisoning induced by 'acid rain' pollution. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years.

Genus - Picea
Species - Asperata
Common name - Dragon Spruce
Pre-Treatment - Not-required
Hardiness zones - 5 - 8
Height - 25'-50' / 7.60 - 15(35) m
Spread - 12'-25' / 3.70 - 8 m
Plant type - Tree
Vegetation type - Evergreen
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
Growth rate - Slow
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral
Soil type - Clay, loam, sand, well drained
Water requirements - Average, drought tolerant
Landscape uses - Feature Plant
Leaf / Flower color - Blue Green, Dark Green / --

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Soak the seeds in room temperature water overnight.
2. Place a 8 cm (3") layer of dry soil, such as peat moss or clean sand, in a small vase. Sow seeds on the surface, cover lightly.
3. Keep in a partially shaded place. Water occasionally, so that the soil is always slightly moist.
4. Seed will sprout in three to eight weeks. For one year, keep seedling in partially shaded place. Water occasionally, so that the soil is slightly moist.
5. After one year, transfer the seedling to a gallon-sized vase or larger, maintaining a balance of dry, clean soil and mulch. The seedling may now be kept in full sun. Continue watering occasionally, so that soil is slightly moist. (info source: eHow.com)