"Araucaria" - an unusually beautiful thermophilic evergreen coniferous plant.
It counts 19 different species growing in different parts of the world with a warm climate.
In nature, its height reaches 60 meters, and at home its view of "Araucaria is diverse," no more than two.
She is has the shape of a regular pyramid, for which she began to be called room spruce.
How to care for "Araucaria", especially watering, transplants, diseases and pests of the plant, benefit and harm - all you need is in this article.
Home care
Home "Araucaria" does not require any special complex care, but some points still need to be observed.
Temperature, humidity
Plant likes a cool wet climate. In summer, the temperature should be no more than 22, in the winter - no more than 15 degrees.
It is necessary to often ventilate the room with "Araucaria". If possible, take the plant to fresh air.
TIP! Do not place the plant near a battery or heating devices. “Araucaria” does not tolerate heat - it is quickly depleted and dies.
In order not to wither the branches and not crumbled needles need to maintain high humidity in room.
Install air humidifiers, and spray branches with soft warm water. Hard water can leave a white patina on the needles.
TIP! Spray “Araucaria” two or three times a day with warm water.
“Araucaria” does not require special care at home, but there are a number of conditions that must be observed.
Lighting
Room "Araucaria" feels comfortable in a bright room, but does not like direct sunlight. It can develop well in the shade, but in the light it is much better. To create a diffusing light, apply windows with matte film or paper or use tulle.
IMPORTANT! For even growth of the trunk requires uniform lighting. Turn the Araucaria once a week to the light or place it in a place where the light comes in from all directions.
Watering
For irrigation, use only warm soft water. It requires abundant watering of all the soil, so that it is always wet, but do not overfill. Pour out excess water from the pan. Before watering, make sure that the top soil is a little dry. In winter, watering is reduced.
IMPORTANT! Do not let the soil dry out, this leads to the death of the plant.
Bloom
Christmas tree flowers are not like we usually present flowers. Gymnosperms bloom differently. Their flowers are more like small bumps or upward protruding "earrings." Only adult plants bloom. But even with careful care at home "Araucaria" does not bloom.
Visually familiarize yourself with “Araucaria” in the photo below:
Fertilizer
Araucaria needs supplements in spring and summer. From a lack of nutrition, it is depleted and may die. You can use the usual mineral fertilizer in half the dose once every two to three weeks. Top dressing to produce after watering.
IMPORTANT! The content of phosphorus and potassium is required. Calcium should be in minimal quantities, from it "Araucaria" is growing poorly.
Transplant used soil
No need to immediately rush after purchase to replant the plant. "Araucaria" is very hard transfers transplant.
This should be done in the spring and when the roots are completely woven round. Usually every two to three years.
For transplanting "Araucaria" use a medium pot and the substrate "for conifers".
You can prepare the substrate, which consists of one part of turf land, two parts of leaf, part of sand and two parts of peat.
Plant height depends on the volume of the pot. If you want a tall plant, transplant “Araucaria” in a large pot. Best to do "transshipment" - This is when someone “rolls” into a bigger pot, and adds earth on the sides.
TIP! Do not clean the roots of the soil, otherwise the plant will die.
Planting, breeding, growing
The cultivation and reproduction of "Araucaria" - a long, painstaking process. To multiply it is necessary in the spring, for this Seeds or cuttings will do. Seed germination is very bad. For sowing, it is necessary to use freshly harvested seeds, they cannot be stored, therefore, this type of reproduction is rarely used.
Much easier reproduction occurs "Araucaria" cuttings. To do this, cut the apical stalk, and put it in a dark, cool place for a day.
IMPORTANT! So that the new “Araucaria” has the correct height, cut only the apical cuttings, otherwise, it will have an irregular shape.If for reproduction you used the tip, not the apical stalk, then "Araucaria" - parent stop growing up.
Further, it is necessary to clean the cut from the resin and lubricate it with pounded charcoal. Additionally, it is possible to treat the cut with a root formation stimulator "Heteroauxin" or "Root".
Then insert the cutting into a container with sand and peat 1: 1, you can simply in the sand, and cover with a glass jar on top. Place the container in a warm place with a temperature not lower than 25 degrees.
NOTE! The rooting process may be unsuccessful if the temperature is less than 25 degrees.
During rooting, the seedling should be periodically sprayed with warm water and occasionally ventilated.
Be patient. Roots will appear not earlier than after two months.
The process can take up to five months, it all depends on the temperature of the air - the warmer, the faster the seedling takes root.
When you see on the handle new needles, you can be congratulated on successful rooting.
Now "Araucaria" can be transplanted into a pot with soil or substrate for conifers.
Diseases and pests
Araucaria is rarely affected by pests, but sometimes it happens.
Pests
If the "Araucaria" yellowed and dried lower branches - probably struck her root beetle. Treat the plant with insecticide.
The appearance of white clusters, similar to fleece pieces, indicates a defeat of the plant. mealybug or aphids. Insecticide treatment will be required.
Diseases
If you notice a drop in needles, their yellowing - perhaps in the room dry air or the plant lacks watering.
Lack of light manifests pulling the stem and blanching the needles.
Slow growth can be triggered excess calcium - Do not water your Christmas tree with hard water, watch the composition of fertilizers.
From an overabundance of moisture in the soil or, on the contrary, from drying out of a coma, can wilt branches "Araucaria". After restoring irrigation, she will not be able to lift them on her own. To restore the former beauty, you need to wrap a plastic bag with a plastic bag and hang the plant "upside down" for several days.
Benefit and harm
"Araucaria" is considered plant with a huge energy.
It is like a power amplifier - it excites creativity, makes calm people active, active - even more active.
And no matter where people have the energy - in a positive or negative direction.
"Araucaria" simply enhances it. Room spruce well humidifies air and clears it from toxic substances.
Hypertensive patients should refrain from purchasing Araucaria, but for people with low blood pressure, it is simply necessary. It is not recommended to place it in a bedroom or rest rooms.
Conclusion
"Araucaria" not too whimsical plant. Caring for "Araucaria" is not too heavy, however, it is necessary to perform some actions that are required by most plants.
She is very beautiful and has a strong energy, able to both improve and worsen the situation in the house. It all depends on what kind of people live with her.
Following our recommendations for caring for a plant you will enjoy for many years a very beautiful exotic “Araucaria” in a pot - a home tree not only for the New Year!
