Araucaria

The genus Araucaria includes 25 species - evergreen conifers grown in culture as tub plants. Araucaria is characterized by regular whorled branching: horizontal or bent down shoots grow from a single node. The needles are leathery, in the form of prickly scales or flat plates. Araucaria Chilean (Araucaria Araucana), or Chilean pine, is a tree with a height of up to 20 m (in places of natural growth it reaches 30 m and is found even at an altitude of more than 2000 m above sea level). In the nodes of 5 horizontal or bent down branches, the tips of the shoots are directed upwards. Dark green rigid pointed shiny needles on the trunk are triangular, and on the branches - oval-lanceolate, arranged in a spiral, tightly superimposed on each other (like roof tiles). This is a dioecious species (male and female flowers develop on different specimens). On male plants, oval strobils (hanging inflorescences) are formed, and on female plants - spherical cones wrapped in covering scales; they Mature within 2 years. Cones of the 2nd year acquire a golden color, they contain up to 200 large seeds. High Araucaria (A. excelsa) - in nature up to 70 m high. Native to Norfolk   island, it is known in the Mediterranean as the Norfolk pine. The branches are arranged horizontally on the same level. The needles of young specimens are tender, light green, and on older branches it is shorter and tougher. When grown indoors, it grows to a height of 1.5 m. it is widely used for decorating winter gardens.

The genus Araucaria includes 25 species - evergreen conifers grown in culture as tub plants. Araucaria is characterized by regular whorled branching: horizontal or bent down shoots grow from a single node. The needles are leathery, in the form of prickly scales or flat plates.

Araucaria Chilean (Araucaria Araucana), or Chilean pine, is a tree with a height of up to 20 m (in places of natural growth it reaches 30 m and is found even at an altitude of more than 2000 m above sea level). In the nodes of 5 horizontal or bent down branches, the tips of the shoots are directed upwards. Dark green rigid pointed shiny needles on the trunk are triangular, and on the branches - oval-lanceolate, arranged in a spiral, tightly superimposed on each other (like roof tiles). This is a dioecious species (male and female flowers develop on different specimens). On male plants, oval strobils (hanging inflorescences) are formed, and on female plants - spherical cones wrapped in covering scales; they Mature within 2 years. Cones of the 2nd year acquire a golden color, they contain up to 200 large seeds.

High Araucaria (A. excelsa) - in nature up to 70 m high. Native to Norfolk   island, it is known in the Mediterranean as the Norfolk pine. The branches are arranged horizontally on the same level. The needles of young specimens are tender, light green, and on older branches it is shorter and tougher. When grown indoors, it grows to a height of 1.5 m. it is widely used for decorating winter gardens.

Cultivation

Araucaria chili is an open-ground plant in the southern regions, grown primarily in parks. Araucaria high in the summer months is sometimes taken out into the fresh air, then again installed in a greenhouse or other room. Araucaria chili for a permanent place in the garden is planted in autumn in the soil of light or medium mechanical composition, which is regularly properly moistened. For growing high Araucaria, first use spacious (20-25 cm) pots, then tubs. Apply a soil mixture of turf, peat and sand. The main fertilizer for planting or during active growth is well-rotted organic matter (manure, compost) at the rate of 5-15 kg per plant. In summer, a liquid complex fertilizer in the amount of 5 ml per bucket is added to the water for irrigation once a month.

Location

Araucaria chili grows well only in the open sun. High Araucaria is given a well-lit place in the room, with diffused light, protected from direct sunlight.

Temperature

Adult specimens of Araucaria chilensis tolerate both high and low temperatures well, and young plants are sensitive to cold. Keep them for 2-3 years in a protected place. When growing Araucaria, the high temperature in winter should not fall below 5 °C. If the temperature is above 20 °C, ensure good ventilation in the room.

Watering

Araucaria chili is watered only during periods of prolonged drought. High Araucaria needs abundant watering in spring and summer, and in winter it is enough to keep the soil moist.

Transplant

Potted plants are transplanted every 2 years in the spring to a new container, slightly larger than the previous one. In large tubs, it is enough to replace the surface layer of the earth. Use the same earth mixture and fertilizer as you use for growing.

Potted plants are transplanted every 2 years in the spring to a new container, slightly larger than the previous one.

In large tubs, it is enough to replace the surface layer of the earth. Use the same earth mixture and fertilizer as you use for growing.

Reproduction

Several seeds of Araucaria chilensis in March are placed in a small pot (diameter 8-10 cm), filled with seed soil, and kept in a cool, unheated room. Seedlings are transferred several times and planted in a permanent place after 3 years. You can also cut an apical shoot about 10 cm long in July and plant it in a mixture of peat and sand for rooting. They are also rooted in a closed, unheated room. Next spring, the seedlings are transplanted into pots and taken care of in the same way as the seedlings. Seeds of high Araucaria in March are sown in 5-8-centimeter cups filled with seed soil, and the temperature is maintained at 10-15 °C until seedlings appear. Later, the seedlings are transplanted into larger-diameter pots, using soil as for adult plants. Cuttings are made in winter. They also take apical cuttings and plant them in a peat-sand mixture for rooting. Keep in a closed room at a temperature of 13-16 °C. After the roots are formed, the seedlings are planted in larger pots.

Several seeds of Araucaria chilensis in March are placed in a small pot (diameter 8-10 cm), filled with seed soil, and kept in a cool, unheated room. Seedlings are transferred several times and planted in a permanent place after 3 years. You can also cut an apical shoot about 10 cm long in July and plant it in a mixture of peat and sand for rooting. They are also rooted in a closed, unheated room. Next spring, the seedlings are transplanted into pots and taken care of in the same way as the seedlings.

Seeds of high Araucaria in March are sown in 5-8-centimeter cups filled with seed soil, and the temperature is maintained at 10-15 °C until seedlings appear. Later, the seedlings are transplanted into larger-diameter pots, using soil as for adult plants. Cuttings are made in winter. They also take apical cuttings and plant them in a peat-sand mixture for rooting. Keep in a closed room at a temperature of 13-16 °C. After the roots are formed, the seedlings are planted in larger pots.

Diseases

These conifers have rotting roots, often caused by fungi, such as honey weed (Armillaria mellea). Affected plants are usually removed. Slightly less dangerous are galls (thickenings) on the roots caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. When transplanting, discard the affected parts of the roots. But the appearance of the fungus Cryptospora longispora for Araucaria is disastrous - whole branches die off. Indoors, aphids and mealybugs are not uncommon on plants, which weaken growth and development and affect needles and young shoots. They get rid of them by chemical methods of fighting. Scale insects previously removed with a cloth or cotton wool soaked in alcohol.

These conifers have rotting roots, often caused by fungi, such as honey weed (Armillaria mellea). Affected plants are usually removed.

Slightly less dangerous are galls (thickenings) on the roots caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. When transplanting, discard the affected parts of the roots.

But the appearance of the fungus Cryptospora longispora for Araucaria is disastrous - whole branches die off.

Indoors, aphids and mealybugs are not uncommon on plants, which weaken growth and development and affect needles and young shoots. They get rid of them by chemical methods of fighting. Scale insects previously removed with a cloth or cotton wool soaked in alcohol.