Edit this section Plant properties

Basic Information

　　【Chinese name】： Araucaria [Species Latin name]: Araucaria cunninghamii Sweet 　　[Species alias]: Norwegian pine, small-leaved Araucaria, tower-shaped Araucaria 　　[Family Chinese name]: Araucariaceae 　　[Family Latin name]: Araucariaceae 　　[Genus Chinese name]: Araucaria 　　[Genus Latin name]: Araucaria ^[1]

Morphological characteristics

Tree, up to 60-70 meters tall in its native habitat, with a breast diameter of more than 1 meter, bark gray-brown or dark gray, coarse, transversely fissured; large branches flat or obliquely extended, young crown spire-shaped, old flat-topped, sideways branches densely grown, drooping, nearly pinnately arranged. Type II: Leaves of young trees and side branches are loosely arranged, spreading, cone-shaped, needle-shaped, sickle-shaped or triangular, 7-17 mm long, about 2.5 mm wide at the base, slightly curved, slightly quadrangular or with inconspicuous ridges on the upper (ventral) surface, with many stomata lines above, irregular or nearly without stomata lines below, gradually narrowed above, with acuminate or slightly acute tips at the apex; leaves on large branches and flowering and fruiting branches are closely arranged and overlapped, extending obliquely upward, slightly curved upward, ovate, triangular-ovate or triangular, without obvious ridges or with longitudinal ridges below, 6-10 mm long. The cones are ovate or elliptical, 6-10 cm long and about 4 cm wide, with a wide base, gradually narrowing or slightly rounded at the top, and a pointed or obtuse tip. The midrib is obvious or unclear. The upper side is gray-green with white powder and many stomata lines, and the lower side is green, with only irregular sparse stomata lines in the middle and lower parts. Male cones are solitary at the top of branches and are cylindrical. The cones are ovate or elliptical, 6-10 cm long and 4.5-7.5 cm in diameter; the bracts are cuneate-shaped and obovate, with thin wings on both sides, the tip is broad and thick, with sharp ridges, and a sharp long tail-like tip in the center, the tip of which is significantly recurved backwards; the tip of the spathula is thin and not thick; the seeds are elliptical, with membranous wings that are fused on both sides. ^[1]

Origin Distribution

　　It is native to the southeastern coastal areas of Oceania. It is cultivated in Guangzhou, Hainan Island, Xiamen and other places as a garden tree. It grows fast and has already bloomed and borne fruit. It is also grown in potted plants north of the Yangtze River. ^[1]

Growth habit

It likes a warm climate, fresh and moist air, and soft and sufficient sunlight. It is not cold-resistant and avoids drought. It needs plenty of sunlight in winter and avoids strong sunlight in summer. It is afraid of the dry winds in the north in spring and the scorching sun in midsummer. It grows best in an environment with a temperature of 25℃-30℃ and a relative humidity of more than 70%. Potted plants require loose and fertile culture soil with a high humus content and good drainage and air permeability. ^[2]

Variety classification

　　Species included : Silver-gray Araucaria, silver-gray leaves. Weeping Araucaria, drooping branches. Chilean Araucaria, also known as Araucaria. 30-50m tall, lanceolate leaves, bent at the tip, densely growing on the upper part of the main branches, imbricately arranged, 5cm long, 2.5cm long leaves on the side branches, dark green on both sides, resembling Cryptomeria. Cones are upright, round or oval in shape of a human head. Fine-leaved Araucaria, also known as Monkey Araucaria (Guangdong), Different-leaved Araucaria, Norfolk Araucaria. Leaves are awl-shaped, slightly flattened on both sides, 7-18mm long, with sharp tips. Cones are nearly spherical. The tip of the bracts is bent upward. Large-leaved Araucaria, also known as Tower Araucaria (Guangdong), Foreign Thorn Araucaria (Fuzhou), Broad-leaved Araucaria, Lanceolated Araucaria. Tree, up to 50m tall. Leaves are ovate-lanceolate, 18-35mm long. The fruit is spherical, with the tip of the bracts being triangular and recurved backwards. The tip of the seed is enlarged and exposed, with no wings on both sides.

Introduction to the family

　　Family Chinese name: Araucariaceae Family Pinyin name: nanyangshanke Family Latin name: Araucariaceae Description: Araucariaceae Araucariaceae, gymnosperm, 2 genera, about 40 species, mainly produced in tropical and subtropical regions of the southern hemisphere, two genera and four species of Araucaria and Agathis have been introduced for cultivation. Evergreen tree; leaves are conical, scale-shaped, broadly ovate or lanceolate, arranged in spirals or crossed oppositely; cones are dioecious, rarely monoecious; male cones are cylindrical, with many stamens, each stamen has 4-20 dangling anthers arranged in two rows, and pollen has no air sacs; female cones are elliptical or nearly spherical, composed of many spirally arranged bract scales, with a pearl scale (large bract cotyledon) fused with it on the bract scale; ovules are fused with pearl scales or pearl scales are not developed, and ovules are free; when the cones are ripe, the bract scales are woody or leathery; seeds are flat and wingless or have wings on both sides or wings at the top, with 2 or rarely 4 cotyledons. Flora: 07: 24 All genera: Agathis........Araucaria......Araucaria

Artificial cultivation

Reproduction method

　　Seed propagation 　　It is best to break the seed coat before sowing to promote germination. Seed-sown seedlings have long taproots and few fibrous roots, which can easily cause seedling death when transplanted. It is necessary to pay attention to root protection, thin planting, heat preservation, and shade. Technical points can improve the survival rate of seedlings. For seedlings with broken roots, they can be washed with clean water and then inserted into plain sand. They will re-root from the broken surface in 1 to 2 weeks at a suitable temperature. For seedlings with broken buds, broken stems and leaves, they can be planted as usual. After surviving, new buds will sprout after a certain period of time. ^[3] 　　Cutting propagation 　　Cutting propagation is relatively easy and widely used. It is generally carried out in spring and summer, but the main branches must be selected as cuttings. Plants grown from side branches are crooked and not upright. The cuttings are 10 to 15 cm long. After being inserted, they can take root in about 4 months under conditions of 18℃ to 25℃ and high air humidity. If the base of the cuttings is soaked in 200 ppm indolebutyric acid (IBA) for 5 hours before cutting, it can promote early rooting. To obtain more main branches for cuttings, the young tree can be topped to allow many upright new shoots to grow from the top, which can be cut off in spring as cuttings. This topped mother plant can continue to grow terminal buds and can be used as a permanent propagation mother plant. The soil for potted Araucaria should be a mixture of 40% peat soil, 40% leaf mold and 20% river sand. The soil should be kept moist during the growing season. If it is too dry, the lower leaves will droop, but it should be kept slightly dry in winter. The room temperature should be kept above 5% in winter. Low temperatures will cause the growing point to freeze and die. ^[3]

Seedling transplanting

　　Araucaria likes warm and humid environment, is shade-tolerant, and is not cold-tolerant. Seed-sown seedlings have long taproots and few fibrous roots. When transplanting seedlings, they are prone to die. To improve the survival rate of transplanted Araucaria seedlings, the following technical points should be grasped. 　　1. Root protection　　 　Because Araucaria seedlings have few lateral roots and thin hair roots, they will shrink and dry up if not paid attention to. Therefore, it is very important to protect the root system of seedlings. First, the pots and soil should be transported, and the original culture soil should be kept moist. Secondly, the seedlings should be planted immediately after they are bought back. If they are not planted in time, they should be placed in a cool and humid place and not exposed to the sun to protect the seedlings, especially the root system. In addition, when the temperature is low in winter, the root system is prone to freezing during transportation, so attention should be paid to heat preservation. 　　2. Fine 　　planting When planting, the seedlings should be planted with the original soil as much as possible. The planting soil should be loose and fine, and the soil at the roots should not be pressed too hard. After planting, water the roots sufficiently. In addition, seed-sown Araucaria seedlings have long taproots and should be planted deeper to avoid exposing the root system and causing it to fall over, which would affect survival. 　　3. Insulation 　　Araucaria is not cold-resistant. If you buy seedlings and plant them in winter or early spring, in addition to taking precautions against freezing during transportation, you should also take insulation measures after planting, such as planting them in a greenhouse or covering them with mulch. 　　4. Shading　　 　Araucaria is a shade-tolerant plant and its seedlings are more afraid of being exposed to the sun. Therefore, shade should be provided immediately after planting. 　　5. Treatment of broken seedlings　　 　Araucaria seedlings have tender tissues and are prone to breaking. The following methods can be used to remedy this. For seedlings with broken roots, wash them with clean water and insert them into plain sand. They will re-root from the broken surface after 1-2 weeks at a suitable temperature. They can be planted again after their root system is well developed. For seedlings with broken buds, broken stems and leaves, they can be planted as usual. After a certain period of time, new buds will sprout after they survive. ^[4]

Cultivation points

　　There are several reasons why the leaves of Araucaria turn yellow: 1. The light is too weak. Araucaria grows well if it is maintained in a place with good light. If it is kept in a place with weak light for a long time, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. It needs to be gradually moved to a place with better light, otherwise the condition of the plant will be further aggravated. 2. Too much watering. The principle of watering Araucaria is to alternate between dry and wet. Do not water too much or too frequently. Do not water if the pot soil is not dry. Otherwise, the roots will rot when they cannot get oxygen, making it difficult to absorb water and nutrients, and the plant will show symptoms of discomfort. 3. Low or high temperature damage (this possibility generally does not occur now). When the temperature is below 5℃, the leaves of Araucaria will turn yellow and a small amount will fall off. If the air humidity is lower during the high temperature period, a large number of yellow leaves will appear. 4. The leaves are acutely dehydrated due to too low air humidity or too strong wind. It is necessary to place it in a gentle breeze, or spray or sprinkle water frequently to increase the air humidity. 5. Disease infection should generally be prevented by spraying with carbendazim, thiophanate-methyl, etc. 　　Pest control : Too much soil moisture is prone to branch blight, canker and root nodule. For branch blight, use 500 times of 65% mancozeb, 100 times of 40% thiram solution for disinfection, and 1000 times of streptomycin solution for root nodule. If there is scale insect damage, spray with 1000 times of 50% omethoate solution.

Pest Control

　　Anthracnose 　　[Symptoms]: The disease occurs on leaves. Small brown spots first appear on the leaves, then expand and spread, causing local branches and leaves to turn brown and die. [Pathogen]: Colletotrichum derridis [Prevention and Control Methods]: 1. Clean the fields and remove the diseased remains in time, carry them out of the fields and burn or bury them. 2. Spray 700 times of 50% carbendazim wettable powder or 600 times of 40% sulfur suspension at the early stage of the disease, once every 7-10 days, and control 3-4 times in succession. ^[5] 　　Leaf blight 　　[Symptoms]: Part or all of the affected small needles turn gray-brown to gray-white and dry, and small black particles grow densely on them. [Pathogen and Disease Characteristics]: The pathogen is a fungus of the subphylum Ascomycota, mainly Macrophoma sp., but also Phyllosticta sp. and Diplodia sp. The pathogen survives the winter in the form of mycelium and conidiophores on diseased leaves and diseased remains. The conidia produced are spread by wind and rain and infect. The disease is more common in warm and rainy years and seasons. [Prevention and control methods]: Refer to the prevention and control of Podocarpus leaf blight. You can also spray 600 times diluted 40% polysulfide suspension, 600 times diluted 30% copper oxychloride suspension, 8000 times diluted 25% myclobutanil emulsifiable concentrate, 8000 times diluted 40% flusilazole emulsifiable concentrate, 1500 times diluted 50% methylhydroxylamine aqueous solution, 1500 times diluted 69% anke manganese zinc + 75% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder, or 600 times diluted 65% chlorpyrifos wettable powder. In gardens where the disease often occurs, spray the pesticide once in winter and spring in conjunction with garden cleaning. Spraying on the ground and on trees will have a better effect. ^[6] 　　Scale insects 　　You can use 1000-1500 times diluted 40% omethoate for prevention and control. ^[2]

Edit this paragraph Application value

Ornamental value

　　Araucaria is tall and graceful. It is known as one of the world's five major park tree species along with cedar, Japanese golden pine, North American redwood, and golden pine. It is best planted alone as a landscape tree or a memorial tree, or as a street tree. However, it is advisable to choose a location without strong winds to avoid the crown from tilting. Araucaria is also a precious indoor potted decorative tree species. Araucaria is a beautiful landscape tree that can be planted alone, in rows, or in a grove. It can also be used as a background tree for large sculptures or landscape buildings. Araucaria is also a precious indoor potted decorative tree species, used to embellish the hall environment, and looks very elegant. Araucaria is a spire-shaped tree with lush branches and leaves, and its leaves are triangular or oval. It is one of the world's famous garden trees; it can be planted in rows, alone, or in a grove, and can also be used as a background tree for sculptures or landscape buildings. It can also be used as a street tree, but it is advisable to choose a location without strong winds to avoid the crown from tilting. Seedling potted plants are suitable for decorating the living room, corridor, and study room of ordinary families; they can also be used to decorate various forms of venues and exhibition halls; they can also be given as gifts to relatives and friends for the opening of a business or the relocation of a new house. ^[7]

Timber value

　　Araucaria is an important timber species in Australia and South Africa, with high quality wood, and can be used for construction, utensils, furniture, etc. ^[1]

Bonsai Making

　　The process of making Araucaria bonsai is not complicated. Its growth habit is to like light, humid climate and acidic fertile soil. Before potting, first prepare the culture soil, and then choose a purple sand oval ceramic pot according to the size of the tree. In terms of material selection, seedlings are preferred. Generally, seedlings of about 50 cm are used. The best ones are those that are long and thick, with short internodes and dark green in color. When you start potting, first lift out the clay pot and peel off the appropriate amount of soil from the bottom to the top, taking care not to damage the water-absorbing roots. Then cover the bottom of the pot with one to two centimeters of culture soil. After determining the viewing surface, place the tree blank at one end of the pot, straighten the plant, and then add culture soil, gently tamp it, and then shape the upper part. It is difficult to shape the upper part of the Araucaria tree. From bottom to top, each layer of the school piece has four to five whorled branches. First, cut off the whorled branches on the bottom layer, then cut off the two horizontal branches on the left side of the tree, and then cut off one branch each in front and back, and then slightly climb and pull the individual branches on the upper part, so that the branches appear natural and orderly. Because the base of the trunk of the Araucaria tree seedling is about the same thickness, use the prepared palm leaves to wrap the trunk into a tree body with a thick bottom and a thin top, and then use a thin rope twisted with palm silk to gently tie it up, not too tight. In this way, the base of the trunk is well-proportioned, forming a large tree-shaped crown. There are no protruding roots at the root plate at the base. It is necessary to add a few purple-brown curved roots to it to protrude from the soil surface to make it look more stable. This solves the problem of bonsai trees being rootless and used as inserts. Finally, add a small brown elephant stone to give it a more interesting southern scenery. In this way, a lush, beautiful and elegant Araucaria bonsai will appear before your eyes. After completing the above work, water it enough to allow the roots to take root, place it in the shade for half a month, and then turn to regular management. In order to promote vigorous growth, spray the leaves with a mixture of 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate and feces once a month in summer and autumn to keep the leaves dark green. ^[8] 　　Potted plant management : 　　loosening the soil and watering　　 　After planting, water and loosen the topsoil in time to reduce water evaporation. Water moderately at ordinary times, and water frequently during the growing season, 2 to 3 times a week, with a penetration depth of 10 to 15 cm. As the seedlings grow, water less frequently, and keep the pot soil and surrounding environment moist at all times to prevent drought and waterlogging. During the hot and dry season, water or mist should be sprayed on the leaves and the surrounding environment to increase the air humidity and keep the soil moist. Avoid too dry pot soil in summer or too much water in winter. Too dry or too wet can easily cause the lower leaves to droop. Avoid strong sunlight exposure in summer, place it in the shade of the shed, and sprinkle water frequently to maintain a high air humidity. 　　Plastic management 　　Araucaria is beautiful with its upright and upright posture. In the second year of cutting seedlings, or when the seedlings grow to about 50 cm, they should be supported by sticks to prevent the plants from twisting and affecting the ornamental effect. Young trees should be repotted once a year or in the spring of the next year. Plants over five years old should be repotted and soiled once every two or three years, and combined with spraying dwarfing agent to control the height of Araucaria. In northern areas, take them out of the room in late April or early May to maintain them in a windproof and sunny place. They need to be properly shaded in midsummer and repotted in time during the growing season to prevent the tree from growing crooked and affecting the ornamental effect. Araucaria cannot tolerate severe cold. In northern areas, move indoors in late September or early October (Hanlu). Place in a sunny and well-ventilated place. Do not fertilize or water the plant. The room temperature should not be lower than 8°C. 　　Apply fertilizer frequently 　　. A mixture of leaf mold, peat soil, pure river sand and a small amount of decomposed organic fertilizer is suitable for potted Araucaria. The best potting soil is a mixture of 3 parts loam, 1 part leaf mold, 1 part coarse sand and a small amount of plant ash. The depth of the soil layer should be controlled so that the rooting buds on the upper layer are just above the soil surface. From the beginning of the buds sprouting in spring, apply decomposed thin organic liquid fertilizer and calcium fertilizer 1 to 2 times a month to keep the plant fresh and the leaves shiny. ^[9] 　　Monthly management 　　January: Do a good job of preventing cold and wintering. The room temperature should be above 10°C. Control watering, stop fertilizing and provide sufficient light. February: Same management as last month. March: As the weather warms up, increase watering and fertilization as appropriate and do a good job of indoor ventilation. Usually pay attention to protect the side branches to avoid damage and affect the plant shape. In the growing season, in addition to watering, water should be sprayed on the leaves and the ground to reduce the ground temperature and increase the air humidity. It is advisable to apply topdressing 1-2 times a month during the growing season. In order to keep it in a good plant shape, it should be noted that the pot should be rotated frequently to make it evenly lighted and keep the plant shape straight. June: For cutting propagation, the top bud must be used instead of the side branches, because the seedlings cut from the side branches cannot stand upright, but can only grow horizontally. The cuttings are about 15 cm long and are inserted into a cutting bed made of coarse sand or vermiculite. About 1/3-1/2 of the cuttings are inserted into the bed. Keep 20-25℃ and high air humidity. It can take root in 4-6 months. July: Same management as the previous month. August: Same management as last month. September: As the weather turns cooler, control watering and fertilization, and provide sufficient light. To prevent the plant from growing crooked, insert a thin bamboo pole next to the seedling for support to ensure that the plant is straight and beautiful. October: Move indoors, control watering, stop fertilizing, and increase light. To prevent the tree from tilting its crown, repot it once every half month. November: Keep the plant warm in winter. Just keep the soil moist. Repot it once every half month. December: Same management as last month. ^[10]

Garden use

　　Araucaria is tall and graceful. It is known as one of the world's five major park tree species along with cedar, golden pine, giant sequoia and golden pine. It is best planted alone as a landscape tree or as a memorial tree, or as a street tree. However, it is advisable to choose a location without strong winds to avoid the crown from tilting. Araucaria is also a precious indoor potted decorative tree species. Araucaria is a beautiful landscape tree that can be planted alone, in rows or in a grove. It can also be used as a background tree for large sculptures or landscape buildings. Araucaria is also a precious indoor potted decorative tree species, which is very elegant when used to embellish the hall environment.