Homeland The Araucaria Chilean tree is Argentina and the coast of Chile. The needles are cultivated as a house plant.
The tree can be found in the gardens and greenhouses of the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Often found in the USA, Caledonia, Brazil, Australia.
It is a large tree. Grows tall more than 60 meters. The diameter of the crown can reach more than one and a half meters. Prefers a wet rainy climate.
It grows on mineral well-fertilized soils. It tolerates drought and severe frosts.
Care after purchase
After purchasing the needles need wash off dust under the tap of water.
For growing should choose a well-lit corners. without direct sunlight.
It is impossible select areas close to central heating or heaters.
The Chilean Arukarya is ruined by exhausting heat. Needles grow well in botanical gardens, front gardens and balconies in the fresh air.
Watering
Watering should be carried out separated water at room temperature. The home dweller prefers frequent watering as the soil dries. Pine likes constant spraying from a sprayer.
Bloom
Tree is dioecious evergreen. It has male and female inflorescences. Previously, monocotone plants were sometimes encountered.
But after the time the pine changed its gender.
Women's bumps are very high. They resemble a spherical shape. The diameter of the cones can vary from 5 to 30 centimeters. They contain edible wholesome seeds in the amount of from 70 to 250 pieces.
Men's cones are at the very top of the tree. In size, they are much smaller than female cones. In diameter reach no more than 12 centimeters. In size they are very narrow, elongated, cylindrical in shape.
Crown formation
Crohn sapling pyramidal shape, very wide. The lower branches are on the ground. After the time the tree begins to "fade" and the stems fall. Lateral branches are in verticils. They can be elongated and prostrate.
Crown in adult plants flat in the form of an umbrella. It is located only at the top of the trunk. The stems are covered with small prickly leaves. They have a coarse leathery structure. The leaves are arranged spirally. They completely cover the stems.
Soil
The tree needs a substrate in equal proportions mixed with peat, sand, turf and leaf soil.
For Araucaria of Chile, coniferous soil should be added to the soil. In such a soil, the pine tree is well accustomed, it actively grows and develops evenly.
Planting and transplanting
Planting or transplanting should be done. March-April or June. Transplantation requires only wide and strongly overgrown copies. Beside such trees, the soil is covered with a root system. This fact is due to the fact that the needles negatively tolerate the transplant.
For the procedure, you must choose wide tanks. Small pots will not allow the tree to develop properly and actively. Adult specimens are transplanted no more than four times a year.
Young trees can grow more than five years without human intervention.
Breeding
Plant multiplies planting seeds and cutting the cuttings. For grafting cut strong shoots. They are divided into small segments no longer than 15 centimeters.
On each handle should be at least 15-20 green needles. The cuttings are planted in a moist soil and carefully monitor the temperature factors.
It is best to land under the slope. The recess should not exceed two centimeters. Planting seeds produced in early spring. Seeds are sown in the prepared soil and thoroughly moistened. After three months, the first shoots should appear.
Growing up
Araucaria Chilean requires systematic care. The plant loves bright rooms with excellent airing. Tanks are allowed to take out in the garden or on the balcony. Do not allow direct sunlight.
The flower loves the shadow very much. Requires temperature above 12 ° C. Otherwise, the needles of the flower wither and fall.
Temperature
Araucaria Chilean poorly acclimatize indoors. Plant necessarily need fresh air. The best winter temperature should not fall below 10 ° C. But should not exceed 15 ° С.
In spring, the plant is comfortable at a temperature of 19 ° C. Needles do not tolerate heat above 22 ° C. You need to avoid direct sun exposure.
The tree loves diffused light. Presence of lighting must be from two sides. If the tree does not grow in the greenhouse, the pine tree is turned every week by 90 °.
Plant benefits
Plant seeds can be applied in cooking. They are used in fried and raw.
Pine Needles Native American people used in medicine to eliminate ailments and various diseases.
Wood does not pass moisture and is a good material. It is used for construction houses. The plant perfectly cleans the air.
Scientific name
Latin name Araucaria of Chile - “Araucaria araucana". In the common people the plant is called Chilean needles. The name comes from the Indian people Mapuche, who lives in the open spaces of "Araucano".
The Indians called the tree "Pehuen". Pine was a sacred plant. Therefore, the people called themselves "Pehuenches" - "sacred people."
A photo
Chilean Araucaria: a photo of unusual needles for us.
Diseases and pests
Chilean Araucaria is affected aphids. Soap solutions are suitable for pest control. 300 grams of soap is diluted in 10 liters of cold water. The resulting mixture is sprayed with pine needles until the pest has completely disappeared.
Pine may be affected mealybug. To eliminate it, it is necessary to spray the plant with Vertimec, Tsvetofos or Fitoverm with an interval of seven days until the pest disappears completely.
Araucaria Chilean likes frequent systematic watering and spraying. It responds well to top dressing. Propagated by seed and division of tubers. Plant seeds can be used in cooking. The tree is a dioecious evergreen.
And here you can watch a video about this unusual coniferous plant.
