Araucaria heterophylla




The Araucaria is a superb plant for the enthusiast who likes a plant of regular geometrical shape . however the radiating growth will only be achived by providing the plant with even light and sufficient space to grow and develop . failure to do so will result in growth that is somewhat lopsided which almost ruins the effect of the plant . this species is closely related to the monkey puzzle tree , which grows in gardens , but it is not hardy outside . however , it does share some similar charactaristics in that the needles become sharp as they mature . as the plant becomes older the needles tend to drop off , as do the branches, creating a mess on the floor . the plant is best cleaned by using a pressure water mister to wash the dust off , thus allowing the natural sheen to show through
Plant type: foliage plant with radiating branches on evenly shaped erect habit
Season of interest: all year around
Flower: none
Leaf : Green needle , 0.5-1cm (1/4-1/3in), which become harder  and sharper as they mature , on branches 30-60cm (12-24in)
Temperature: 10-20C(50-68F)
Aspect/light:moderate to reasonably bright , but dislikes prolonged exposure to direct sunlight
Humidity : moderate
Watering : evenly moisten compost in spring and summer , keep on the dry side in autumn and winter
Feeding : once every three to four weeks with houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer
Propagation : sow seeds in pans at 18-20C(65-68F) from mid spring to early summer in seed and cutting compost
Potting : houseplant potting compost
Problems : mealy bug , root mealy bug , premature loss of lower leaves
Availability: occasionally available throughout year




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Image
Botanical Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia ZZ Plant has become increasingly popular in recent years and I believe it deserves all the attention it’s been getting. The Aroid family has given us more dependable house plants than any other group and Zamioculcas zamiifolia is no exception. This is a worthwhile house plant to add to your collection. ZZ makes a great room accent and practically thrives on neglect. This easy-going house plant is forgiving if you forget to water, tolerates low light, and rarely needs fertilized. Want more? It also seems to shrug off pests. Growing from rhizomes, it has thick, upright stems bearing narrow, dark-green glossy leaves. Keep the leaves clean by gently wiping them with a damp cloth. Don’t use leaf shine products, which can damage the plant. Small, insignificant flowers — consisting of a spadix surrounded by a spathe — may appear at the base of plants in summer, although ZZs rarely flower indoors. A slow-grower indoors, ZZ plant rarely needs
Read more

Peltophorum pterocarpum

Image
Common Names: yellow poinciana, yellow flame tree, copper-pod, yellow flamboyant tree Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae (bean Family) Description Yellow poinciana is a very showy flowering tree up to 50' tall, with wide-spreading branches that form an umbrella-like crown up to 25' across. The stems and twigs are rusty-red tomentose (fuzzy). The leaves are bipinnate (twice compound), about 2' long with 8-20 pairs of 3/4"-long oblong leaflets. The fragrant flowers are clustered on upright stalks (racemes, actually) about 18" long. Each flower is about an inch and a half across with translucent yellow, strangely-crinkled petals. The flowers have conspicuous orange stamens and each petal has a reddish brown mark in the center. They are followed by purplish brown, flattened, oblong seed pods, 3-4" long, which remain on the tree until the next flowering season. Location Yellow poinciana is native to coastal areas from Sri Lanka through the Malay archipelago and I
Read more