Description
Araucaria
This remarkable geologically ancient genus consist of 19 species of evergreen coniferous trees from tropical rainforest occur where theirs a pronounced dry season like in Guinea, Australia, New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, and Brazil. The densely crowded overlapping leaves are spirally arranged and usually broadly triangular to needle-like. Male and female organs are on the same tree that first appear green maturing to brown. The female cones are spherical ovoid or ellipsoid with seeds fused to the bract scale, the male cones are conical or cylindrical both are usually found at the top of the trees.
Most are used for large gardens but can be grown indoors in soil-based potting mix in full light with good ventilation. In growing season water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks, keep just moist in winter.
Cold tolerance of the genus varies to each species; grow in moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil in full sun in an open protected site. It may be a fast grower if conditions are right.
Prone to needle necrosis, bleeding cankers, mealy bugs, and scale insects.
Araucaria columnaris – Araucaria cookii – New Caledonian Pine – Pin Colonnaire – Cook Pine – This conical to narrow dense columnar coniferous tree from New Caledonia grows 100-200’ feet tall and just 10-20’ feet wide. From the main stem whorled branches soon give way to short epicormic shoots producing a narrow column of foliage. It produces alternate ovate light green leaves that are to ½” long on young trees, on mature trees leaves are ¼-3/8” long and closely overlapping. Female cones are 6” long in an ellipsoid shape, male cones are 1-2 ½” long in a conical shape.
Zones 9-12
