Larch Climate Requirements

[Ozz80]

Is it possible to grow larch at a place with 9B climate? If it is possible, which subspecies will have the best chance? (Decidua, Kaempheri or Marschilinsii)

Here, day/night averages of the coldest month are 37 F and 48 F, temperatures dropping to 22 F with snow from time to time. Meanwhile hottest month has 85 F average, reaching to 95 F at some of the days

 

[Russ1]

Maybe not unless you can get, i think it is, 1500 hrs below 45 deg f for trees that need dormancy.
But someone else may have more info or first hand experience.

 

[rockm]

Is it possible to grow larch at a place with 9B climate? If it is possible, which subspecies will have the best chance? (Decidua, Kaempheri or Marschilinsii)

Here, day/night averages of the coldest month are 37 F and 48 F, temperatures dropping to 22 F with snow from time to time. Meanwhile hottest month has 85 F average, reaching to 95 F at some of the days

The short answer is no.

The longer answer-The problem with growing larch above zone 7 is not the lack of cold really (although it’s a factor). It is the nights in summer that don’t drop below 70 f (21 C) larch are native to areas that have colder nighttime temperatures averages. With night temps in the high 70s or even 90 f (32 C) larch fade away over a series of years as they wear themselves out in the heat.

Tried to grow North American, European and Japanese varieties here in Zone 7 Virginia. All died within five years in the same way. First year healthy second year not so much third year slow sluggish fourth and fifth no growth and static foliage then they died completely

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

There is a Pseudolarix that does better in warmer climates. Might be worth looking for, but it might need some extra shade in the summer.

 

[Ozz80]

Thanks all for the information!

 

[akillas]

I have grown a single batch of Larix kaempferi from seed for 3,5 years now.Out of the 20 successful germinations after fridge stratification,10 made it the first summer.
However, after that I repotted to something more airy that I can water 2-3 times a day, and I keep them in bright shade when it’s above 35 Celsius.Also they are in a very windy spot, and I keep the clay pots elevated so it ventilates from the bottom.
They seem healthy and vigorous for now,but I am uncertain if long term they will thrive, as other users mention.

I talked to local arborists, and they have found kaempferi to be way more heat resistant than decidua, if adapted early and in the right conditions-Wind being a big one.
I am located in northern Greece, not so far from Constantinopole(Instabul), but I cannot imagine you could keep them alive if you are in a hot windless spot.

I am experimenting,but if you are looking to invest time and effort,why not go for another species?
Blue atlas cedar,Pseudolarix, or be smart and get pines

I have no knowledge of laricina,and marschilinsii.

 

[Ozz80]

I have grown a single batch of Larix kaempferi from seed for 3,5 years now.Out of the 20 successful germinations after fridge stratification,10 made it the first summer.
However, after that I repotted to something more airy that I can water 2-3 times a day, and I keep them in bright shade when it’s above 35 Celsius.Also they are in a very windy spot, and I keep the clay pots elevated so it ventilates from the bottom.
They seem healthy and vigorous for now,but I am uncertain if long term they will thrive, as other users mention.

I talked to local arborists, and they have found kaempferi to be way more heat resistant than decidua, if adapted early and in the right conditions-Wind being a big one.
I am located in northern Greece, not so far from Constantinopole(Instabul), but I cannot imagine you could keep them alive if you are in a hot windless spot.

I am experimenting,but if you are looking to invest time and effort,why not go for another species?
Blue atlas cedar,Pseudolarix, or be smart and get pines

I have no knowledge of laricina,and marschilinsii.

Thanks for the reply, I am already killing enough trees, even the ones suitable to my climate, so I guess it will be wise to pass as you suggested.

 

[akillas]

Casualties are common in this hobby!

In our zone and area the best kept conifer secret is brutia pine.Most folk that bother with Mediterranean pines usually go for aleppo or stone pine(most research available too) and get mildly disappointed.
Calabrian pine is amazing bonsai material, and you can yamadori amazing specimens.

Bonus points,it’s also called Turkish pine!

 

[Ozz80]

Casualties are common in this hobby!

In our zone and area the best kept conifer secret is brutia pine.Most folk that bother with Mediterranean pines usually go for aleppo or stone pine(most research available too) and get mildly disappointed.
Calabrian pine is amazing bonsai material, and you can yamadori amazing specimens.

Bonus points,it’s also called Turkish pine!

Thanks for the suggestion I will look into it.