- origin
- leaves
- blossom
- fruit
- growth
- use
- Edible
- Properly cut araucaria
- Water araucaria
- Fertilize araucaria properly
- hibernate
- How do I plant correctly?
- Diseases
- brown leaves
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- multiply araucaria
- sowing
- Araucaria in pot
- sorts
Araucarias are bizarre trees that develop a peculiar growth habit. The exotic plants are popular ornamental trees in front gardens. They do not require any complex care. The right location is much more important so that the plants can grow unhindered.
The araucaria can be seen more and more often in Central European front gardens
Table of Contents
Show all- origin
- leaves
- blossom
- fruit
- growth
- use
- Edible
- Properly cut araucaria
- Water araucaria
- Fertilize araucaria properly
- hibernate
- How do I plant correctly?
- Diseases
- brown leaves
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- multiply araucaria
- sowing
- Araucaria in pot
- sorts
- Dig up the root ball and cut off the rotten roots
- Allow rootstock to dry and plant in fresh substrate
- Incorporate drainage into the soil
- Mix potting soil with a third of sand
- alternatively use perlite (37.51€) or vermiculite
- Mix in coconut fiber
- cooler and lighter interior with temperatures around five degrees Celsius
- water with small amounts of water
- Place the tub outdoors on a styrofoam plate (35.50€) and wrap the pot with fleece
- compacta: Dense growth.
- Glauca: Weak growth. Needles colored blue-green. Rarity.
- gracilis: Slow growing. Needles thinner and colored light green. branches hang down. Rarity.
- Leopoldii: Compact growth. Needles colored blue-green.
- Silverstar: Fresh shoots initially mottled with silver, later turning green. Rarity.
- Virgata: Stronger branching, longer internodes between the leaves. Rarity cultivated in Palermo.
origin
Araucarias are a genus of 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.
The Chilean araucaria (Araucaria araucana) has become very popular as an ornamental tree in Central European gardens. In the 1980s, it developed into a trend plant that was planted in front gardens. This species is mainly found 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-like, while the leaves of mature specimens take on a triangular shape in a scaly shape. They grow between 2.5 and 5 centimeters long and have an entire leaf margin. The dark green leaves last up to 15 years before they weather on the branch and fall off with it.
blossom
Araucarias are dioecious or monoecious. They develop purely male and female flowers, which arise on one plant or on different specimens. The male floral organs are formed in cones that grow singly or in small groups at the ends of the shoots. Numerous stamens sit next to each other in a spiral in the brownish cones. The shape of the female cones is reminiscent of a sphere. The flower organs are covered by thin cone scales with a pointed end. They are colored yellow-green. It can take 30 to 40 years for a tree to flower for the first time.
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 scales. The Chilean Araucaria develops seeds that are three to five centimeters long. They can be consumed.
growth
The crown of young trees appears cone-shaped. With increasing age, it spreads out like an umbrella. The araucaria used as ornamental trees reach heights of growth between 15 and 50 meters, with the females being taller than the males. A height of 25 meters is not unusual for a plant cultivated in the garden. Araucarias can reach extreme heights and ages in their natural range. The tallest trees are 89 meters high. There are species that live up to 1,000 years.
The trunk is surrounded by a scaly bark that can be up to 15 centimeters thick. It is initially gray and later black-brown in colour. Araucarias form sparse branches. Five or seven of them stand in whorls on the trunk. The branches grow in a horizontal position, while the shoot tips curve slightly upwards. It is a special feature of the araucaria, because the shoots do not follow the direction of growth of the trunk.
This growth form gives the trees a high ornamental value. Their appearance is described as primeval or reptilian. If a branch falls off, it leaves a visible scar.
use
Araucarias are suitable as solitary trees. They are preferably planted in themed gardens, where they set an aesthetic accent. The exotic plants cope well with the urban climate, which is why they are also suitable for beautifying small front gardens. The plants can be cultivated in tubs and beautify balconies, house entrances and driveways in this way.
In the natural distribution areas, the Chilean Araucaria, which is also known as the Andean fir, is used economically. The seeds are rich in proteins and oils. They are boiled or roasted and can be eaten raw. The wood is processed and used as a building material.
Edible
The Indian tribes of South America use the seeds of the Andean fir as food. They are very nutritious and were used by the indigenous people as a source of energy, especially in the winter months. The seeds are eaten raw or prepared. The cones carry a milky sap from which the Indians extracted milk. In Spanish, the seeds are called piñones, which translates to pine nuts. This name comes from the shape, which is reminiscent of the oversized seeds of pine trees.
Properly cut araucaria
Araucarias do not need pruning. This care measure causes the growth to be brought out of shape. There are scars at the interfaces that look ugly. Only cut the wood when individual branches have dried up or broken through.
The ideal time for pruning measures is a dry day. Excessive humidity can affect the vitality of the tree. If too much moisture has penetrated the interfaces, the spread of fungal diseases is promoted. Use sharp saws to create a clean cut. Thoroughly clean the blade to prevent transmission of pathogens.
Branches should be cut right off the trunk. Leftover branch stumps look ugly and rob the wood of energy, so that growth slows down. If a branch has become too long, you can shorten it. Cut the branch above a branch. It should be as long as the branch underneath. As a result, the cutting measure is no longer noticeable later.
Water araucaria
The water supply is the most important care measure. Araucarias are sensitive to waterlogging and drought. They need a lot of water in the hot summer months. In summer, check the moisture level in the morning and evening. The top layer of soil should be well dried before watering. This prevents the roots from standing in soil that is too moist. If necessary, water the shrub several times a day.
Fertilize araucaria properly
If the araucaria grows in nutrient-poor soil, regular fertilization is recommended. Give the shrub nutrients via the irrigation water every eight weeks. Liquid fertilizers are suitable for nutrient supply. If you cultivate the plant in a tub, it will enjoy fertilizing at shorter intervals.
hibernate
Araucarias are conditionally hardy. Adult specimens survive the winter months in temperate latitudes without any 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 ground is frozen for a long time, the roots cannot absorb water from the substrate. As evergreen trees, the plants need sufficient liquid for a functioning metabolism, even in winter. If the water absorption stops, the leaves and branches dry up. The winter sun increases evaporation on the leaf surface, which further increases drought stress.
Protect the branches from the direct winter sun with a shade net. Spread a thick layer of straw and dry foliage around the trunk to keep the ground from freezing. Alternatively, you can use spruce branches, reeds or jute bags, fleece and mats as an insulation layer.
How do I plant correctly?
The older the trees are, the more difficult it is to transplant. This measure destroys roots, which robs the plant of additional energy for regeneration. Only replant the wood if the current location no longer offers enough space or the site conditions are not right.
Dig a new planting hole and mix sand or gravel into the soil to improve drainage. If the soil is sandy and loose, you can skip this step. Cut out as large a root ball as possible from the araucaria. Try to damage as few roots as possible. Lift the root ball out of the hole. If the plant is very tall, you can slide boards and slats under the root ball and use them as leverage.
Put the araucaria in the new planting hole and fill in the gaps with the excavation. Gently press down the soil and water the plant deeply. Be sure to water regularly for the first few weeks. The roots need some time before they penetrate the fresh substrate.
Diseases
Araucarias are considered to be robust against pathogens and pests. If the leaves of the trees turn brown, incorrect care measures or unfavorable site conditions are the cause.
brown leaves
If the leaves suddenly turn brown, rotten roots may be the cause. Araucarias do not tolerate waterlogging. A substrate that is too moist will cause the roots to rot. This gives fungal spores optimal growth conditions. They settle in the rotten areas and promote further rotting processes.
How to help the plant:
Brown leaves also result from drought stress, which can occur in both winter and summer. If the roots are dry for a long time or can no longer absorb water from the frozen ground, the leaves are no longer supplied with sufficient liquid. They dry out and after a while they fall off with the dried branch. Water the plant vigorously for several days.
Which location is suitable?
A bright and sunny location is ideal for the araucaria. Note that direct winter sun can dry out the plants. You should therefore choose a location that offers shady conditions at least part of the day. A sheltered location on a north- or west-facing house wall is recommended.
Also pay attention to the space available at the location, because the trees grow very high and develop a spreading crown. Since the trees should not be pruned, the growing area must be free of obstacles.
What soil does the plant need?
Araucarias prefer to grow in a moist substrate that offers permeable conditions. It should be moderately nutritious with a pH in the slightly acidic range. If the soil is too dry and warm, the leaves can turn yellow or brown. Too high a lime content in the soil also leads to leaf discoloration.
multiply araucaria
Araucarias are propagated by their seeds. Since it takes 30 to 40 years for a tree to develop flowers for the first time, it is rarely possible to collect the seeds yourself. Even when the plant flowers, seed production is not a given, as not all plants develop male and female flowers.
You can easily propagate araucaria with commercially available seeds. Sow the seeds directly outdoors in early fall or prefer the plant in winter. It takes about four months for a seed to germinate. In the spring you can use the young plant in the garden.
Make sure that the seed is as fresh as possible. Araucaria seeds do not germinate for long. They should be sown and moisturized immediately after ripening. If this is not possible, storage in the refrigerator is recommended.
sowing
Stick the seeds halfway into a planter filled with coco hum. Make sure the seed tip is pointing down. Moisten the substrate and put a clear plastic sheet over the planter. Place the pot in a cool place for the first three to four weeks. This exposure to cold promotes germination. Then change location. The ideal germination temperature is between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius.
The ideal substrate for cultivation:
The seeds can be sown all year round, but only fresh seeds germinate reliably. As soon as the seedlings are easy to grasp, they are transferred individually to a larger planter and cultivated further at 15 to 20 degrees Celsius or planted directly in the garden.
Araucaria in pot
Araucaria can be cultivated in a bucket. Due to the limited space, the trees grow less tall. As soon as the roots have grown through the substrate, araucaria need a larger planter. Make sure you have suitable protection in winter, as the soil freezes faster than the substrate in the garden.
How to overwinter potted plants:
tips
The branches can break off quickly under the weight of the snow masses. In regions with large amounts of snow, you should tie the branches with a string. As a result, the surface is reduced and the snow cannot get stuck between the scale-like leaves. Timely remove the strings in the new year once the snow season is over.