Schizandra in Zone 4
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Patricia Reid
Posted on: May 28, 2008

I have purchased some schizandra seeds from Richters and would like to know the best time to plant them and what kind of soil they need.

I am aware of the need to scarify the seeds.

Also could you tell me what conditions/locations are best for their success.

In our garden we generally have sandy soils and subsoils and both exposed and treed areas. We are located just north-west of Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada.

Uxbridge, Ontario is located in zone 4 and this plant is only hardy to zone 5. On sandy soils, the cold reaches far deeper than on clay soils and hence, I do not think that heavy mulching would get the plant through the winter. In clay soils it probably would.

So plant in a pot and move the pot into a frost-free, cool area for the winter. Keep just barely moist.

Once danger of frost is past, move the plant from deep shade, slowly over the period of a week, to a sunny or half shady position. It likes well-drained, rich, moist soil.

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