May 15, 2008
Tips & Lore
Norfolk Island Pine
Decorating Tips Did You Know?


care instructions

Araucaria heterophylla
Norfolk Island Pine

Light: Araucaria needs bright light preferably eastern or western exposure and will retain best foliage color with one to two hours of sunlight per day.

Watering: When soil feels slightly dry to touch, water your Norfolk thoroughly being sure that the water goes in the saucer. After 15 minutes discard all excess water that the tree has not taken back up.

Temperature: The Norfolk Island Pine grows best in temperatures between 60 and 72 degrees F during the day and 50 to 65 degrees F at night.

Humidity: A relative humidity above 50% is preferred to successfully grow Norfolk pines indoors. Provide additional humidity by misting twice daily. An excellent method of providing extra moisture is to stand plants in shallow trays filled with moistened pebbles, and/or use a humidifier.

Feeding: Feed Araucaria only during the growing season (March through September) with a dilute, standard, liquid fertilizer once every two weeks.

Transplanting: When roots begin to grow out of the bottom of the pot, transplant into the next largest size pot (always use the deepest pot with this tree). Use a soil mixture of equal parts sterilized houseplant potting soil, peat moss and sand/or perlite, with a tablespoon of bone meal.

Propagation: Only a tip cutting from the very top of old plants will develop into a completely symmetrical specimen so the easiest method to grow Araucaria is from seed.

Maintenance: To keep its growth most symmetrical, turn it slightly every week. Supply extra humidity to avoid the common problems, needles turning brown and brittle.

Special Note: Give the Norfolk Island pine as much natural light as possible in the winter months to assure good symmetrical development.

Plant information provided by New York Botanical Gardens - www.nybg.org


care tips

Place Norfolk Island Pine in a half-shady position in a well-ventilated, cool environment.

Do not let the soil dry out, and do not overwater plant. Maintain a consistent level of moisture.

Mist the plant daily to raise the level of humidity.

For additional care instructions on the Norfolk Island Pine, please scroll down.


   

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