- Common name: Fir
- Genus: Abies
- Family: Pinaceae
- Species: Abies koreana
- Foliage: Leaves are linear to 2 cm / ¾”, rounded to notched at the tip. Dark green above with two white bands or all white beneath, it’s densely arranged above the shoot.
- Bark: Dark grey/brown.
- Flower and fruit:
In spring, males have yellow flowers beneath the shoot, females reddish purple upright in separate clusters on the same plant.
Skill level: Beginner to advanced. - Soil type: Medium rich, but well draining, with 50% fine gravel added to the mix.
Propagate
From cuttings
Placement
Half shade to sunny, but during the hot summer months protect from heat. It will benefit from a short period of frost during the dormant season.
Pruning
In spring you can pinch new growth with your fingertips. Strong shoots pinch to half and weaker shoots to a third.
Watering
Keep moist, but don't overwater a fir. Try to avoid too much chalk in the water.
Fertilizing
Chemical fertilisers are not recommended. Organic fertilisers are preferable, from spring to autumn: permanent pellets, liquid on the root ball every fortnight and apply foliar fertilisers every two weeks.
Repotting
Repot in spring before the buds start to open. Don't disturb the roots too much; remove only a third and leave the original soil around the base of the rootball because of the essential fungi.
Wiring
Wire with aluminium or copper wire. Best season to wire is during dormant period. For wiring purposes you can remove some of the needles if they are in the way.
