Content
- Araucaria: planting and cultivating
- ancestry
- leaves
- blossom
- fruit
- growth
- use
- Edible
- Cut araucaria properly
- Pour araucaria
- Fertilize araucaria properly
- overwinter
- How do I properly plant?
- Diseases
- Brown leaves
- Which location is suitable?
- Which soil does the plant need?
- Araucaria multiply
- sowing
- Araucaria in the pot
- Tips
- sorts
The Araucaria is increasingly seen in Central European front gardens
Araucaria: planting and cultivating
Araucaria are bizarre trees that develop a peculiar growth habit. The exotic plants are popular ornamental shrubs in the front gardens. You do not need extensive care. Much more important is the suitable location, so that the plants can grow unhindered.
ancestry
Araucaria is a genus of flowering plants within the Araucaria family. They occur naturally in the southern hemisphere. Some species grow on the South American continent in Chile, Brazil and Argentina. There are other representatives in New Caledonia, Australia, the Norfolk Islands and New Guinea.
As ornamental wood in Central European gardens, the Araucaria Araucaria (Araucaria araucana) has become very popular. It developed in the 80s into a trendy plant that was planted in front gardens. This species occurs mainly in the Andes, where it conquers altitudes between 600 and 1,800 meters.
leaves
The evergreen trees develop spirally arranged leaves that completely cover the branches. In young trees they appear needle-shaped, while the leaves of mature specimens take on a triangular shape in flaky shape. They grow between 2.5 and 5 inches long and have a ganzrandigen leaf margin. The dark green leaves last up to 15 years before they weather on the branch and fall off together with this.
blossom
Araucaria are two or monoecious. They develop purely male and female flowers, which arise on a plant or on different specimens. The male flower organs are formed in cones that grow singly or in small groups at the ends of the shoots. In the brownish cone numerous stamens sitting spirally next to each other. The female cones are reminiscent of a sphere in their shape. The flower organs are covered by thin cone scales with a pointed end. They are dyed yellow-green. It can take 30 to 40 years for a tree to flower first.
fruit
It takes two to three years for seeds to develop in the cones after successful pollination. They are winged and fused with the cone shed. The Chilean Araucaria develops seeds that are three to five inches long. They can be consumed.
growth
The crown of young trees appears conical. With age, she spreads umbrella-shaped. The Araukarien used as ornamental shrubs reach heights of growth between 15 and 50 meters, the females are higher than the Männlichen. A height of 25 meters is not unusual for a plant cultivated in the garden. Araucaria can reach extreme heights and ages in their natural habitat. The tallest trees are 89 meters high. There are among the species representatives, which are up to 1,000 years old.
The trunk is surrounded by a shed bark, which can be up to 15 centimeters thick. It is initially gray and later colored black-brown. Araucaria make sparse ramifications. They are five or seven in whorls on the trunk. The branches grow in a horizontal position, while the shoot tips slightly bend upwards. It is a special feature of the Araucaria, because the shoots do not follow the growth direction of the tribe.
This growth form gives the woody plants a high ornamental value. Their appearance is described as prehistoric or reptile-like. When a branch drops, a visible scar remains.
use
Araucaria are suitable as a solitary plant. They are preferably planted in theme gardens, where they add an aesthetic accent. The exotic plants manage well with the urban climate, which is why they are also suitable for the embellishment of small front gardens. The plants can be cultivated in the tub and beautify balconies, entrances and entrances.
In the natural distribution areas, the Chilean Araucaria, which is also referred to as Andean fir, used economically. The seeds are rich in proteins and oils. They are cooked or roasted and can be consumed raw. The wood is further processed and used as building material.
Edible
The Indiostämme of South America use the seeds of Andentanne as food. They are very nutritious and served as a source of energy for the indigenous people, especially during the winter months. The seeds are eaten raw or prepared. The cones carry a milk juice from which the Indians have obtained milk. In Spanish, the seeds are called piñones, which means pine nuts. This name comes from the shape reminiscent of oversized seeds of pine trees.
Cut araucaria properly
Araucaria does not have to be cut. This care measure leads to the fact that the plant is brought out of its form. There are scars on the interfaces, which look ugly. Only cut the wood if individual branches have dried or broken.
The ideal time for cutting is a dry day. Excessive humidity may affect the vitality of the tree. If too much moisture has penetrated the interfaces, the spread of fungal diseases is favored. Use sharp saws to create a clean cut. Clean the blade thoroughly so that no pathogens are transmitted.
Branches should be cut off directly at the trunk. Standing branch stumps look ugly and rob the woods of energy, slowing growth. If a branch has become too long, you can shorten it. Cut the branch over a branch. It should be the same length as the branch underneath. As a result, the cutting action is no longer noticeable later.
Pour araucaria
The water supply is the most important care measure. Araucaria are sensitive to waterlogging and dryness. You need a lot of water in hot summer months. In the summer, check the moisture content in the morning and in the evening. The top soil layer should be well dried before watering. This will prevent the roots from being too moist soil. If necessary, water the wood several times a day.
Fertilize araucaria properly
If the Araucaria grows on a nutrient-poor soil, then regular fertilization is recommended. Add nutrients to the wood every eight weeks over the irrigation water. Liquid fertilizers are suitable for nutrient supply. If you cultivate the plant in a bucket, it enjoys fertilization at smaller intervals.
overwinter
Araucaria are conditionally hardy. Adult specimens survive the winter months in the temperate latitudes without major problems. Young plants need additional winter protection. In areas with temperatures below -15 degrees Celsius, the trees are endangered by frost damage.
If the soil is frozen for a long time, the roots can not absorb water from the substrate. As evergreen trees, the plants need sufficient fluid for a functioning metabolism even in winter. If the water absorption stops, it causes the leaves and branches to dry up. The winter sun increases the evaporation on the leaf surface, which additionally increases the drought stress.
Protect the branches with a shading net from the direct winter sun. Spread a thick layer of straw and dry leaves around the trunk to keep the floor from freezing. You can alternatively use spruce branches, reeds or jute sacks, fleece and mats as insulation layer.
How do I properly plant?
The older the trees are, the more difficult it is to transplant. In this measure, roots are destroyed, robbing the plant of additional energy for regeneration. Only re-plant the wood if the current location does not provide sufficient space or if the site conditions are not right.
Lift a new planting hole and mix sand or gravel into the soil to improve permeability. If the soil is sandy and loose, you can do without this step. Dig out the largest possible root ball from the araucaria. Try to damage as few roots as possible. Lift the root ball out of the hole. If the plant is very large, you can push boards and battens under the root ball and use it as a lever.
Put the araucaria in the new planting hole and fill in gaps with the excavation. Gently squeeze the soil and water the plant thoroughly. Pay attention to regular irrigation in the first few weeks. The roots take some time to penetrate the fresh substrate.
Diseases
Araucaria are considered robust against pathogens and pests. If the leaves of the trees turn brown, wrong care or unfavorable site conditions are the cause.
Brown leaves
If the leaves suddenly turn brown, rotten roots can be the cause. Araucaria tolerate no waterlogging. Too moist a substrate causes the roots to rot. As a result, fungal spores have optimal growth conditions. They settle in the rotten areas and favor further decomposition processes.
How to help the plant:
Brown leaves are also caused by drought stress, which can occur both in winter and in summer. If the roots are dry for a long time or can not absorb water from the frozen soil, the leaves are no longer supplied with sufficient liquid. They dry out and after some time they fall off the dried branch. Pour the plant pervasively for several days.
Which location is suitable?
A bright and sunny location is ideal for the Araucaria. Note that the plants can dry out due to the direct winter sun. Therefore, you should choose a location that provides shady conditions at least occasionally during the day. A sheltered location on a north or west facing house wall is recommended.
Pay attention also to the space conditions at the location, because the trees grow very high and develop a spreading crown. Since the trees should not be pruned, the growth place must be free of obstacles.
Which soil does the plant need?
Araucaria prefers to grow in a moist substrate that provides permeable conditions. It should be moderately nutritious and have a pH in the slightly acidic range. If the soil is too dry and warm, it may cause yellowing or brownish discoloration of the leaves. Too high a lime content in the soil also leads to discoloration.
Araucaria multiply
An increase of the Araukarien occurs over their seeds. Since it takes 30 to 40 years for a tree to develop flowers for the first time, independent collection of seeds is rarely possible. Even if the plant is blooming, seed production is not self-evident, as not all plants develop male and female flowers.
With seeds from the trade, you can multiply Araucaria easily. Sow the seeds directly in the field in early autumn, or grow the plant in winter. It takes about four months for a seed to germinate. In spring you can plant the young plant in the garden.
Make sure that the seed is as fresh as possible. The seeds of the Araukarien are not long germinable. They should be sown immediately after maturation and moisturized. If this is not possible, storage in the refrigerator is recommended.
sowing
Place the seeds halfway in a kohohum filled planter. Make sure that the semen tip points downwards. Moisten the substrate and put a transparent plastic wrap over the planter. Place the pot in a cool place for the first three to four weeks. This cold action promotes germination. Then change the location. The ideal germination temperature is between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius.
The ideal substrate for growing:
Sowing of the seeds is possible all year round, with only fresh seeds germinating reliably. Once the seedlings are easy to digest, they are individually transferred to a larger planter and further cultivated at 15 to 20 degrees Celsius or planted directly in the garden.
Araucaria in the pot
Araucaria can be cultivated in the tub. Due to the limited space, the trees grow less high. Once the roots have grown through the substrate, Araucaria need a larger planter. Make sure you have adequate protection in winter, as the earth freezes faster than the substrate in the garden.
To hibernate potted plants:
Tips
Under the weight of the snow masses, the branches can break off quickly. In regions with large quantities of snow, wrap the branches with a string. This reduces the surface and the snow can not settle between the scale-like leaves arranged. Remove the strings in time in the new year as soon as the snowy season is over.