Araucaria - care and reproduction at home, photo species

Araucaria (Araucaria) is a coniferous tree from the Araucariaceae family. Originating over 200 million years ago, it is considered a living fossil.. It is widespread in the natural environment in South America, Africa, Crimea, and the homeland of Araucaria is Norfolk Island, located in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and Australia.

In nature, an evergreen plant grows up to 55 m. Its rough branches are densely covered with light green needles with a pronounced resinous smell. Araucaria is a rare coniferous tree that can be grown at home. At home, it can live up to 10 years, growing by almost 20 cm per year.

Indoor araucaria reaches no more than 2 m. Like all conifers, the plant does not bloom, but forms spherical fruits, similar to large nuts.

Be sure to pay attention to such wonderful plants as livistona and rubbery ficus.

	growth for the year by almost 20 cm.
	Like all conifers, the plant does not bloom.
	The plant is easy to grow.
	Perennial.

Useful properties of araucaria

Araucaria (Araucaria). A photo

Araucaria is a plant that enhances energy. Capturing the creative abilities of the owners, indoor spruce helps to develop them. The tree affects the psychophysical and emotional state of family members: it increases pressure, stimulates thought processes, increases activity. Araucaria cells secrete biologically active substances that cleanse the air of germs and toxins, increasing efficiency. The plant is a natural humidifier.

Care for araucaria at home. Briefly

Araucaria at home, unlike other conifers, grows without any problems. But you need to know the preferences of the plant: this will help to avoid possible difficulties:

Temperature mode	In winter - no higher than + 18 ° C, in summer - + 23 ° C.
Air humidity	More than 50%; frequent spraying is required.
Lighting	Broken bright, tolerates slight shading.
Watering	In winter - once every 10 days; in summer - plentiful, twice in 7 days.
Priming	Universal substrate for indoor plants, mixed with a substrate for rhododendron and azalea; a mixture of 2 servings of peat land, leaf land, perlite and 1 part of turf land.
Fertilizer and fertilizer	In winter they do not fertilize; spring and summer - diluted universal fertilizer for indoor plants, 1 time in 14 days.
Transfer	Young trees - every year, adults cross every 3.5 years; the transplant does not tolerate well.
Breeding	Seeds or apical cuttings.
Growing Features	There are features of growing araucaria. In order to grow a beautiful healthy tree, in winter it must be kept cool. To form a symmetrical crown, araucaria are turned to the light in different directions. In summer, the plant is taken out to the balcony or to the garden.

Care for araucaria at home. In detail

Araucaria at home will develop well if it is created optimal conditions.

Bloom

Gymnosperms differ from other representatives of the flora.

Their flowering, in which not ordinary flowers appear, but "earrings" or cones, is also original.

Only adult plants are capable of flowering. In nature, large cones form on them, the weight of which can reach more than 2 kg.

Araucaria does not bloom in the apartment.

Temperature mode

For conifers, it is especially important at home to observe the temperature regime. Homemade araucaria in summer should be kept at + 23 ° C, and in winter - at + 18 ° C. In winter, coolness is needed to slow down the vegetation of the Christmas tree and give it the opportunity to gain strength.

Content at a higher temperature will deplete the tree, because the araucaria will not rest, but will continue to develop.

Spraying

In order for the araucaria plant to feel comfortable at home, the humidity in the room should be above 50%. To do this, spraying with settled soft water is carried out up to 3 times a day. Use devices that moisturize the air. The tree should not be placed next to the included battery. Heat and dry air will lead to his death.

Lighting

To create a beautiful crown and harmonious development, the plant needs full lighting. Araucaria can grow in partial shade, but vegetates best in bright diffused light.

From time to time, the tree needs to be turned one side or the other toward the light, then it will develop evenly and look beautiful.

Watering

It must be ensured that the soil is always moist.

Therefore, care for araucaria at home in the winter recommends watering once every 1.5 weeks, and in the summer - 2 times in 7 days.

Watered with lukewarm lukewarm water. Make sure that water does not accumulate in the pan.

To keep the soil moist, it is mulched with a coconut substrate or moss.

Araucaria pot

When choosing a pot for araucaria, you need to understand that a small capacity limits the development of the plant. In it, araucaria will grow slowly. If you take a large capacity, the tree will quickly stretch and will be weak. A wide flowerpot is considered ideal, with a height of at least 0.25 m. There should be enough space for a drainage layer, and drainage holes at the bottom.

Priming

Araucaria is diverse. A photo

Araucaria needs a breathable and friable substrate. Nutrient slightly acidic (pH 5.3 - 6.2) soil is suitable for her. You can make the mixture yourself by taking 2 parts of perlite, peat and leaf land on 1 part of turf land. You can buy ready-made soil for conifers or a universal substrate for indoor plants and mix it with a substrate for azalea and rhododendron. Shredded needles, charcoal powder, chopped sphagnum, polystyrene balls or brick chips are definitely added to the soil mixture.

Fertilizer and fertilizer

For araucaria to develop fully and grow a strong tree, fertilizing and fertilizing are needed. In the spring-summer season, it is fed once every 14 days. After watering, a 2-fold diluted universal fertilizer for indoor plants is used. The plant should receive a large amount of potassium and phosphorus; Calcium is given in a minimal dose: it inhibits the development of the tree. In winter, when the araucaria is resting, it is not fed.

Transfer

Young araucaria are transplanted annually. Conifers do not tolerate transplantation, so transplantation of mature Araucaria is carried out infrequently, every 3.5 years.

By this time, the roots completely cover the earthen lump. The transplant should be replaced by transshipment to help the tree survive the stress.

In adult plants, the topsoil is refreshed, while the capacity is not changed. The roots of araucaria are very sensitive to any impact, so as to preserve them, they keep the old soil lump on the roots. The root neck cannot be deepened: the tree will first stop growing, then die.

After transplantation, araucaria needs support. For several days it is placed in a shaded place, often sprayed. After 14 days, they feed.

Pruning araucaria

Pruning is done to remove damaged or ugly branches. The procedure helps to maintain the decorativeness of the plant. But sometimes pruning araucaria can do much harm. This happens if the top is cut off. Without the upper part, araucaria will stop growth and turn into an ugly tree.

Rest period

In the fall, araucaria begin to prepare for wintering: they reduce watering and top dressing. With the advent of winter, the dormant period of the plant begins. Araucaria should be kept cool at this time. If the temperature cannot be lowered to + 15 - 18 ° C, then spraying does not stop. Rarely watered, about once every 10 days. The light intensity is not reduced. Feeding is prohibited.

Is it possible to leave araucaria without leaving on vacation?

Leaving in the summer for 2 weeks, automatic automatic watering systems are used. You can use the technique of moistening the soil through the fabric. An oilcloth is placed on a flat surface, and a soft, damp cloth folded several times on it. A pot is placed on top with watered araucaria. The end of the tissue is lowered into a wide basin with water. This method will not only help maintain soil moisture for 3 weeks, but also moisturize the air.

If you decide to go on vacation in winter, you can put a wet sponge in the pot with araucaria. This method will help maintain soil moisture for 10 days. In any case, it is worth asking relatives to look after the plant, because without regular watering and spraying, araucaria can die.

Reproduction of Araucaria

Reproduction of araucaria is carried out in the summer by seeds or cuttings taken from the tops.

Growing Araucaria from seeds

This process is lengthy. Seed germination is low, they germinate for a long time. Fresh seeds are sown in moist soil. Containers with seedlings are placed in a warm place. Emerging seedlings require careful attention: they must often be watered, you can not put in the sun. The grown stronger seedlings are transplanted into separate pots and contain as adult plants.

Propagation of araucaria by cuttings

Spend in the summer at a temperature not lower than + 23 ° C. The most beautiful plants are obtained from rooted apical cuttings. With a sharp knife cut the middle fragment of the branch. Dry the slice from the juice and process with crushed coal. The cutlery is planted in moist soil, covered with a film (it is removed for irrigation and ventilation). By the beginning of winter, the rooted, strong stalk is transplanted into a large container.

Rooting cuttings of conifers takes place in warm weather. To accelerate rooting, root formation stimulants are used.

Diseases and Pests

If you do not create favorable conditions for the plant, it can be affected by diseases and pests. This is eloquently stated by the symptoms:

• needles of araucaria turn yellow and fall - moisture deficit, dry air in the room (adjust watering and spraying);
• thin, elongated shoots - deficiency of nutrients (feed);
• araucaria is slowly growing - excessive calcium content in the soil (to correct top dressing by increasing the dose of potassium and phosphorus);
• pale coloring of araucaria needles - lack of light (rearrange in a more lighted place).

Araucaria can be affected by a mealybug, scale insects, root beetle, aphids. Insecticides are used against them.

Types of home araucaria with photos and names

In the natural environment, there are about 18 species of araucaria. Some of them adapt well to home conditions.

Variegated Araucaria (Araucaria heterophylla, Araucaria excelsa)

Evergreen coniferous tree with a pyramidal crown. In mature plants, the trunk is bare half. The dark brown bark is rough. Short light green needles have pointed tips that are soft to the touch.

Araucaria narrow-leaved, or Brazilian (Araucaria brasiliensis)

Coniferous evergreen tree with hanging thin shoots and bright green elongated (up to 5 cm) needles.

Araucaria columnar, or Cook Araucaria (Araucaria columnaris)

Coniferous tree densely covered with short shoots located at right angles to the trunk. Forms cones, the length of which reaches 100 mm.

The graceful form, soft green needles and resinous coniferous smell are distinctive features of araucaria. The fluffy beauty heals the air, creates coziness and high spirits in the house.

Watch the video: Norfolk Island Pine Araucaria heterophylla Care and Information (May 2024).