We all know the song of the Lyube group with such a chorus: “… don’t ruin, men, don’t ruin! Do not chop, men, do not chop! ” But … again, on New Year’s Eve, they cut and destroy. I, of course, this is about the Christmas trees. If you really need a natural coniferous beauty, I advise you to take a closer look at araucaria. Why, of all the conifers commonly sold in flower shops, to her? Yes, because she gets along well in room conditions! Although, strictly speaking, it is a greenhouse plant. But it may well adapt to room conditions.
A lively Christmas tree is a delightful araucaria. Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com topsimages.com
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Instead of a tree – araucaria
I think I’m not the only one who is so compassionate about the felled trees. And let us be assured that it is, they say, special landings are being cut down. I do not believe! Has anyone seen them in Russia? In California, I saw them, but in Russia they are not, they are cut down in our forests, and so destroyed in many places by fires and mismanagement.
Moreover, as statistics show, most of the felled fir trees are not sold out. I am not pleased with the reports on television about another multi-meter beauty brought for the main square of the city. After all, such an old spruce was someone’s home and dining room! There was life at all its levels: for squirrels, birds, small forest rodents and beneficial insects.
Is it really impossible to replace it with artificial and other tricks that imitate a New Year’s tree? Currently, shops have a huge selection of artificial firs, sometimes difficult to distinguish from real plants. An assortment for every taste and budget. And lovers of the coniferous smell can be advised to get a small “bouquet” of spruce branches before the New Year. Arranged with blooming hyacinths and other fresh flowers, such a composition will decorate any New Year’s table.
Another great option than to replace the usual Christmas tree – araucaria. Rumors about her capriciousness are greatly exaggerated. It will be a picturesque addition to any indoor flowers all year round. And in the New Year’s decoration, in beauty and splendor, it is in no way inferior to living spruce.
What about the coniferous aroma? Araucaria smells like pine needles just like spruce. Of course, cypress will be cheaper, but it will hardly survive until spring, even under favorable conditions. A small spruce in a pot is even worse. They definitely need a greenhouse, if there is none, then these representatives of conifers will prefer suicide, disdaining our worries. There are, of course, exceptions, but rarely. Many people know this and buy a plant like a bouquet – not for long. Araucaria is another matter.
Description of araucaria
The Araucaria got its name in honor of the Araucanian Indian tribe, who gave names to both the Arauco province in southern Chile, and the city located there, and the bay washing Chile from the west. For the first time this plant was described by the botanist and traveler H. Molina in 1782 as the plant ‘Pinus araucana’. Subsequently, the botanist J. Lamarck began work on ordering the species of this plant.
Currently, there are about 14 species of araucaria. Here are a few of them, some of them named after botanists: Chilean, Brazilian, Kanningema, Clinic, Bidville, Hanstai, Cook (columnar), Narrow-leaved, Variegated and others.
Araucaria in nature is a powerful plant, reaching a height of 60-75 meters, it is a long-liver, the oldest plants are about 2000 years old! And, in general, experts attribute araucaria to the plant world of the Jurassic period. Fossilized cones of araucaria are still found. The plant is dioecious, the plant is considered mature at 300 years old, it is they who can be cut down for construction and other use. Indian tribes added Chilean araucaria seeds to their food, they are large and nutritious, like nuts.
It is known that araucaria in the south of Argentina are identical to those that grow in Australia, this once again confirms the version that these two continents once formed a single continent. Sochi, Nikitsky, Sukhumsky and other botanical gardens of the Crimea and the Caucasus are proud of fairly large specimens of araucaria.
Conditions for growing araucaria varifolia
In our stores, as a rule, are sold variegated araucaria, or Indoor spruce… Her homeland is the island of Norflock. Do not be afraid that in room conditions it will reach a considerable height in a short time. Alas, we will not live up to such a moment, this coniferous plant does not grow quickly, especially since its growth can be restrained by a small volume of the pot. Although in a very small one, no plant will develop. The pot should be chosen wider, with a drainage hole, because the plant does not like stagnant water.
Araucaria prefers land with a slightly acidic reaction, a mixture of turf, leaf, peat and sand in a ratio (1: 2: 2: 1). Fertilizers are preferred with a weak calcium solution. A heavily diluted tincture made from crushed eggshells is a good top dressing.
Araucaria loves fresh air and spraying. Therefore, in the summer, it is simply necessary to take it out to the garden, or to the balcony, and the airing will not hurt, but not the drafts!
Caring for araucaria varifolia at home
A transplant is best done in the spring and as needed, and no more than once every 3-4 years. Araucaria can even bloom, but not indoors. It is rooted with seeds and cuttings in spring, which must be dried for a day, then the cut must be refreshed and dipped in Kornevin, placed under the jar. So that in room conditions it grows evenly, it is advisable to turn the pot weekly, with different sides to the light.
The crown of the araucaria is its Achilles’ heel, it cannot be touched, much less cut off. Once I accidentally broke off the top of my plant. Araucaria “cried” for a long time, releasing a thick resinous juice of a milky-green color. Then she shot a new crown. But it could well have perished, as experts warn about.
Buy araucaria! Adult, it is good as a tapeworm, which can be positioned even in the corner, but not less than 1,5 meters from the window and backlit. Such a plant looks exotic and very impressive. Araucaria Christmas decorations should be without strong clamps and heavy decorations. She’s alive!
And there is no need to endlessly remove the needles, and the main thing is to throw away the bald plant at the end of the holidays. After all, Araucaria is a holiday in itself, which, with normal care, is always with us!
