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HABITAT AND GROWING CONDITIONS
The Wollemi Pine grows to a height of 40 metres in its natural habitat with a trunk diameter of over one metre.
The Pines have grown in temperatures from -5 to 45 deg.C and are expected to withstand even cooler temperatures. They are fast growing, respond well to light and favour acid soils.
The Wollemi Pines produced from seeds and cuttings from the wild population are growing rapidly and averaging about half a metre in height a year. Photo on right showing mature foliage. J.Plaza RBG Sydney
SOIL TYPE
Even though the Wollemi Pine tolerates a wide range of soil types, it favours a well drained, slightly acid (pH 5.5 to 6) fertile site. The suitability of your site can be improved by cultivating the soil, that is loosening it to twice the depth and diameter of the pot and removing any competing plants or weeds.
PLANTING
The optimum time of year to plant your Wollemi Pine depends on the seasonal conditions of your area. However, if you live in a cold climate, it is best to plant the Wollemi Pine in the warmer months.
Ensure that you initially saturate the potted plant before you plant. This is best done by submersing the root ball in water until all air bubbles cease to rise. Immediately after planting, water the soil around the plant deeply. You should water the tree deeply every 5-7 days until the plant has established new foliage and then water during drought periods.
It is best to remove the Wollemi Pine from the biodegradable pot before planting. Crush the biodegradable pot and place it in your compost bin or bury in the back garden.
TREE AND ROOT SPREAD
The mature Wollemi pine trees growing in the wild have a spread of approximately 3m in diameter with trunks up to 0.7m in diameter.
This species has a non-invasive root system with a ball size comparable to the average spread of the tree at maturity ie. 3m.
SPACING
The spacing at which to plant your Wollemi Pines depends on the effect you wish to create. If you want a single specimen tree or an avenue, it is recommended that you leave a radius of approximately 2.5 metres around the tree If you want a hedge or grove effect, you can plant the trees much closer, even one to two metres apart.
PRUNING
The Wollemi Pine can be heavily pruned i.e. up to two thirds of the plant size removed. You can prune both the apical growth (upright stems) and the branches. New buds (from one to multiple) will generally originate from just below the cut. To stimulate active growth after pruning, apply slow release granular fertilizer at recommended rates.
It is best to prune in the winter months for large diameter stems and branches (greater than 5cm). Use sterile, sharp pruning equipment to match the size of the stem or branch being pruned.
GROWTH
As a young plant, up to 18 months of age, a Wollemi Pine can grow half a metre a year perhaps reaching a height of 20m in its lifetime. A mature plant will grow approximately a metre a year. If the plant is not fertilized or kept in medium to low light conditions, it will grow more slowly.
Like all plants the manner in which you care for them will determine the results of your labour.
SPECIAL PROPERTIES
A fungus found on the leaves of some of the Wollemi Pines in the wild has been found to produce small quantities of a chemical known as Taxol - an anti cancer agent. Taxol is not a byproduct of the Wollemi Pine. Previously, Taxol has been found on trees in the Taxis genus (e.g. Yew Trees). The amount of Taxol found on the Wollemi Pines is too small to be used for medicinal purposes.
CHARACTERISTICS
This Conifer has attractive, unusual dark green foliage, bubbly bark and sprouts multiple trunks, making it an ideal pot specimen.
Grown in the right position inside, Wollemi will add beauty to your indoor living area or an add charm to the patio as a tub plant outside.
(See section. Can be used as an indoor/outdoor pot plant.)
IDEAL CHRISTMAS TREE
The trend in recent years is to use living Christmas trees rather than artificial or cut trees. That is, a tree with roots, to be used indoors for Christmas decoration and either kept in a pot to be reused every year or later planted outdoors for landscaping. The trend is driven by people that like to watch their tree grow with their family and see it as a reminder of special Christmas occasions.
The Wollemi Pine has been hailed by horticulturalists as the perfect Christmas tree. It has a natural conical shape and very flexible leaves that can support Christmas decorations. A large 1.5 to 2 metre Wollemi Pine can also be kept in a pot if it remains in the partial shade. It can be used year after year as the family's Christmas Tree and for the rest of the year it makes a fantastic patio and indoor plant.
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USED AS AN INDOOR/OUTDOOR POT PLANT
The Wollemi Pine can be maintained in a pot almost indefinitely, it is well suited to patios, verandahs and courtyards. It can also be used as indoor decoration in well lit areas as it is able to tolerate air conditioning.
WATERING
The appropriate watering of both indoor and outdoor pot plants is essential for good health and survival. The best way to know when your pot plant requires watering is to regularly check the moisture content of the potting mix by feeling the top 5cm of the potting mix with your finger. This may be once every one or two weeks. If dry, completely saturate the potting mix.
If it is an indoor plant, place it in a shady position outside before saturating the potting mix and return the plant indoors after it has drained. It is important not to over water or have the plant sitting in a saucer of water. As a general rule of thumb, the lower the light level, the less water loss.
POSITIONING
For an outdoor living area such as a balcony or courtyard, choose a sheltered location out of the full sun. If placed in the full sun, they will initially develop a slight yellowing of the foliage, as do other rainforest and Araucariaceae species. However, they do regain their regular deep green appearance within six months.
As an indoor plant your Wollemi Pine should be placed in a well lit position preferably near a window or doorway. As with all indoor plants, especially trees, the Wollemi Pine occasionally needs to be placed outdoors in a sheltered, shaded area. It is recommended this be done for one week out of every month.
SHAPING
The Wollemi Pine can be shaped using sterile secateurs at any time of the year to maintain its compact form.
FERTILISING
A granular slow release fertilizer suitable for trees in combination with a foliar fertilizer will promote optimal growth. Follow labelling instructions. Keeping the Wollemi Pine in a pot and fertilizing slightly, will slow its growth rate.
RE-POTTING
The Wollemi Pine's root growth is strong, but not so vigorous that plants will require frequent re-potting. They can be maintained in a pot almost indefinitely.
To re-pot, we suggest you place the Wollemi Pine into a slightly larger pot than the one supplied. Fill the bottom of a clean pot with good quality potting mix to ensure that the root ball is at the same level as previously. Place the root ball in the pot and fill with potting mix.
Tap the pot to ensure the potting mix fills all the spaces and covers the top of the root ball. Immediately water the plant until saturated. Follow the instructions on the potting mix label to determine whether you need to top dress
with slow release granular fertilizer.
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