Hello Everyone, I was wondering what is the optimal temperature range to grow araucaria araucana (The monkey puzzle tree) ? I am growing a collection of this genus of trees and want to make sure he is as happy as the wollemi and the northfolk island pines. Any advice as optimal growing techniques, soils, fertilizers etc. Thankyou for your assistance...... Christopher........
Cool climate species, grows pretty high up in Andes. If you are in a hot lowland area it may not persist there when planted. Grows big in places like Pacific Northwest USA, British Isles...tends to be seen in different areas than the tropical species.
Hello Ron, Would 10 degrees celsius to 24 degrees celsius be accurate in relation to optimal temperature .I live coastal in South Eastern Australia.
I don't know celsius. If you live in a large community chances would probably be pretty good there would be some around here and there if conditions suitable there.
Lots of Monkey Puzzle trees here, our temperature range is similar except our lows dip to approximately -10 celsius.
10 celcius (50 fahrenheit) 24 celcius (75 fahrenheit) Ron B... Don't feel bad about not knowing celcius, most of the world doesn't know fahrenheit. Cheers, LPN.
a real rough rule of thumb for c to f or f to c is Double and them add 30 or minus 30 and then half it gets all whacky once you get around 30f though
The Monkey Puzzle Tree questions ??? Ok all thankyou for your assistance. Next Questions. 1.In relation to fertilization which would be more appropriate ? 2.At what time of year is it best to fertilize ? I have been advised to fertilize my wollemii in Spring does this stand true for the Monkey Puzzle ? 3. what is the warmest area someone has seen these trees growing well ? Hope you are all having a great day. Christopher.........
Hello Aussie Bob, Unfortunately not that computer savy yet. Old School in many ways. One day will rectify. As is the case, the growth of a tree to its full height takes many years. Christopher.......
Best not to use any fertiliser at all, unless a soil test indicates any particular nutrient is markedly deficient. In the wild, Araucaria araucana grows on pretty barren, infertile soils, or more accurately, rocks. No-one ever fertilised these . . . http://www.chilebosque.cl/tree/aarau_oda.html
Hello Michael, Therefore would i be best to use a soil which is low in phosphorus. Like our Australian native mix soils ? I will heed your advice and dont fertilize. Thanks....
Phosphorus could possibly be the one nutrient it might need adding - volcanic rock can be fairly phosphorus-rich, while commonly nitrogen-poor. Worth getting a soil test first, though.
