Araucaria
Araucaria (lat. Araucaria) is a genus of evergreen trees of the Araucariaceae family. The genus includes more than 30 species. Natural range: South America, Australia, Pacific Islands, New Guinea and New Caledonia. Only two species are currently cultivated in Russia.
Common types and their characteristics
*Araucaria angustifolia (lat. Araucaria angustifolia) — the species is represented by large trees up to 50 m high with thin hanging branches. The leaves are bright green, up to 5-6 cm long, linear-lanceolate in shape. In Russia, this species is grown as a houseplant. In Brazil, Araucaria angustifolia is the most important timber tree; its wood is used as a building material for the manufacture of furniture and other structures, as well as musical instruments.
*Araucaria heterophylla (lat. Araucaria heterophylla) — the species is represented by majestic trees with a beautiful pyramidal crown and flaky brown-colored bark. The leaves are light green, small, awl-shaped, soft, needle-shaped, arranged in a spiral.
*Columnar araucaria, or Cook”s araucaria (lat. Araucaria columnaris) — the species is represented by tall trees with a narrow pyramidal crown. The branches are relatively short, collected in whorls and extending from the trunk almost at a right angle. In terms of external features, columnar araucaria is similar to the previous species, the difference is in the texture and shape of the leaves. Araucaria grows mainly in countries with tropical and subtropical climates. In Russia, the plant can only be found in greenhouses.
*Chilean Araucaria (lat. Araucaria araucana) — the species is represented by trees with a round-conical crown, which becomes umbrella-shaped with age. The branches are long, curved upward, collected in whorls of 6-7 pieces. The leaves are bright green, large, hard, shiny, arranged in a spiral shape. It is distinguished by its slow growth and light-loving nature.
Growing conditions
The culture prefers well-lit areas with nutritious, moderately moist, breathable soils. Does not accept calcareous, swampy and saline soils. Most species are thermophilic, some are able to withstand frosts down t o-15C.
Reproduction
Araucaria is propagated by seeds and semi-lignified stem cuttings. Seeds are sown immediately after collection; they cannot be stored, as they quickly lose their viability. Sowing is done one seed per pot. The pots are filled with a mixture of sand and peat soil with the addition of charcoal. After sowing, the soil in the pots is thoroughly moistened and covered with a thin layer of sphagnum moss. Keep the crops in rooms with an air temperature of 20C. The first shoots appear after 2 weeks. Shoots are unfriendly, they can be expected up to 2 months. As soon as the root system of the seedlings has entwined the entire lump of mixture, they are transplanted into pots of larger capacity.
Propagation by semi-lignified cuttings is carried out in early spring. Cuttings are cut from healthy shoots 3 cm below the whorl. The cuttings are kept in a cool room for 24 hours, then treated with growth stimulants and the cuts are powdered with wood ash. Planted in containers filled with a moist substrate consisting of sand and peat, taken in equal proportions. The cuttings are covered on top with a transparent jar or any other cap. For successful rooting, the room temperature should be about 25-26C. Under optimal conditions, rooting occurs in 60-70 days.
Care
In the climate of Russia, cultivating crops in open ground is very difficult, although in the southern regions it is quite possible. It is not forbidden to grow araucaria as a houseplant. It is important to comply with all conditions of detention, otherwise the araucaria may die without showing all its beauty. Water the plants regularly, being careful not to overwater them. Stagnation of water in the tree trunk zone is undesirable. Overdrying of the earthen coma is dangerous for araucarias. Feeding is required. For these purposes, it is recommended to use complex fertilizers with a high calcium content. Fertilizing with mullein infusion is also useful.
