Araucaria Bidville

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Araucaria bidwillii (lat. Araucaria bidwillii) - evergreen coniferous tree; a representative of the genus Araucaria of the Araucaria family. The second name is Bunia-bunia. In nature, plants can be found in the humid subtropical forests of Australia. Most of the tall and ancient trees grow in protected reserves and national parks. This type of araucaria got its name in honor of the English traveler and naturalist D. Bidville. In 1843, several specimens of the species were transferred to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Later, the plant was introduced to European countries.

Characteristics of culture

Araucaria is a large evergreen tree up to 50 m high with a trunk, the diameter of which reaches 120-125 cm. The crown of young trees is broad-pyramidal, lateral branches are horizontal, collected in whorls of 8-12 pieces. In old trees, the tips of the branches are drooping. The trunk of mature trees is almost half bare. The bark is dark, rather thick, resinous. Leaves (needles) are dark green, leathery, glossy, broadly lanceolate or oval-lanceolate, prickly, sharp at the tips, up to 10 cm long, arranged in two rows, opposite.

Cones (otherwise megastrobili) on male trees are cylindrical, up to 20 cm long. Cones on female trees are very large, spherical-ovate or broadly elliptical, up to 35 cm in diameter, weighing up to 3 kg, located at the ends of lateral branches, abundantly covered with leaves. The seeds are medium, up to 6 cm long. Bidville's araucaria cannot be called the most beautiful representative of the genus, but unlike other species, it is more hardy and unpretentious, although it is not suitable for growing in the Russian Federation, if only at home.

Interesting Facts

As mentioned, the cones of female specimens reach 35 cm in diameter. They can be compared in size to a soccer ball. It is very dangerous to be under trees with such cones, because falling from a tree, they can cause significant harm to health. If the plants are located in a crowded area, the administration always puts up signs warning of the danger.

Reproduction

Araucaria Bidville is propagated by seeds and cuttings. Before planting, the seeds need special processing: they are carefully filed, thinning the shell, without damaging the core, and then soaked in warm water for a day. Adding stimulants will speed up the process. Seeds are sown in separate containers filled with sand and peat, or a mixture for coniferous crops (it can be purchased at any nursery or flower shop). After sowing, the soil is abundantly moistened and covered with foil. The crops are periodically ventilated, and the degree of soil moisture is also monitored. With the emergence of seedlings, the film cover is removed. Transplanting into larger pots is carried out as needed.

Features of growing at home

When growing araucaria at home, it is important to comply with a number of requirements, otherwise the plants will be very sick and eventually die. The optimum temperature in summer is 18-20C, keeping trees in the garden is not prohibited (from the third decade of May to the end of October). The place should be shaded with diffused light and protected from wind and drafts. Winter temperatures should not exceed 8-10C, it is impossible to put containers with plants near batteries or in a room where it is too hot.

The light in the room, as in the content in the garden, should be diffused. Direct sunlight is prohibited, they can leave severe burns on the needles. You cannot put pots with araucaria on window sills (with the exception of the northern windows). In winter, it is better to move the plants closer to the southern window. Lack of light will negatively affect the shape of the araucaria, it will stretch out and take on a rather ugly appearance. Plants are easy to care for. Watering should be abundant and regular (spring - autumn). In winter, the number of watering is reduced, but the earthen coma is not allowed to dry out.

In spring and summer, plants need to be fed with special fertilizers intended for coniferous crops. Fertilizers are applied once a month. Araucaria transplant is carried out in the spring (April - May). When transplanting, it is very important not to damage the root system. The soil mixture for araucaria is made up of their turf, leaf and peat land and sand in a ratio of 1: 2: 1: 1. It is better to transplant plants with an earthen clod; it is impossible to completely remove the soil from the roots. High-quality drainage is arranged at the bottom of the pot.