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Norfolk Island Pines(Araucaria heterophylla ) occur from a modest island between Australia and New Zealand in the South Pacific . Its sort of tropical setting is what they require to grow successfully outside .
This tree is also commonly known as Star Pine , but it is not really a true pine .
Although these Tree can develop in tropical preferences away from their native dominion , it may not be a good idea . In non - native tropical preferences , these tree can be a pain .
In this article , we hash out the care and use of the Norfolk Pine .
What Are Norfolk Island Pines?
Norfolk Pines are tight - develop tropic tree often sold at Christmas time as live Christmas trees . Because they are tropical , they do well in an indoor scope and will boom in most clime when kept as houseplant .
Captain James Cook first documented the Norfolk Island Pine in 1774 when he saw it on Norfolk Island in the South Pacific .
In native Norfolk Island , they grow to be 200′ feet high , full and lush . In non - native tropical preferences , they may arise to be tall , gangly , awry , and unstable .
This can be a real problem in tropical setting such as southern Florida , prone to hurricane activity . The improbable , shoal - rooted , non - aboriginal trees be given to shoot and whirl around easily and can cause a great deal of damage during hurricane season .
Is It Ever Safe to Grow Star Pine Outdoors?
If you live in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 11 and do not live in an surface area capable to high-pitched air current and hurricanes , Norfolk Island Pine may mature in your landscape painting . Otherwise , it ’s better to keep this tree as a houseplant .
How Do You Grow Norfolk Island Pine Plants In the Landscape?
Once established , Norfolk Island Pines are comfortable to care for in the landscape in the right circumstances . They thrive in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 11 and are not considered invasive . If done right , they do n’t have to be a pain in the neck .
Choose a Safe, Warm, Bright Location
To develop this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree alfresco select a location well aside from structures that welcome plenty of bright sparkle . Lower light is also satisfactory and will mean that the tree will not grow as mellow and will grow to be denser . This can be a electropositive .
As an indoor flora or outdoors , bright , indirect sunlight is the near pick for this plant . When pot too much sunlight can overpower it and dry it out . Too little sun causes drooping branches .
NOTE : These plants want batch of light .
Protect your plant against temperatures modest than 55 ° degrees Fahrenheit . If temperatures drop below freezing , your Star Pine ’s theme may survive . The tree may exit back to the ground and return from the roots during the following produce season .
Provide a Combination of Scrabbly Soil, Lots of Water, and Few Nutrients
Norfolk Pine needs slightly acidic , flaxen , well - draining grease , and sizeable water .
In its native environs , the Norfolk Pine can thrive with only rain . In red-hot , wry mise en scene , you will need to irrigate frequently .
Keep a close eye on moisture levels . It ’s a in effect mind to use a wet meter to preclude having the ground dry out completely during times of drouth .
Take precaution never to let your Star Pine to stand in water or to have soggy filth . Root rot is trusted to result .
These trees do not involve fertilize and do quite well in poor soil . When keep as a houseplant , you will need to fertilize your Norfolk Pine .
Set and forget
When acquire outside , in an area that is not subject to high winds , you wo n’t need to cut back often or at all .
In their aboriginal preferences , these trees grow to be 200′ groundwork tall . In non - aboriginal tropical configurations , they may grow to 100′ fundament with a spread of some 60′ feet .
Damaged or unkept outgrowth do n’t grow back . These trees are not desirable for growing outdoors in high malarky or hurricane - prone preferences .
Can You Keep Norfolk Pine Tree Outdoors in a Container?
Even in a tropic place setting , it ’s good to keep this plant life as a house or container plant . Being in a container prevents your tree from becoming a nuisance and an eyesore .
In inhuman setting , you’re able to move it alfresco to enjoy brilliant , collateral sunlight during the warmer , spring , and summer months .
Water Often
If you keep your plant life in a container outdoors , yield very nigh attention to wet levels . Container plants will dry out out faster than those plant now in the soil .
Allow the top couple inch of soil to dry out out entirely before watering well .
Fertilize Lightly
When planted in the land , your Norfolk Pine will not want fertilizer . But if kept in a container outside , nutrient lean to wash out out with more frequent tearing .
For better results , use a light density of an all - purpose , water - soluble plant food with an NPK rating of about 24 - 8 - 16 .
Apply it a duet of sentence a calendar month throughout the grow time of year . During the wintertime , refrain from fertilize .
Prune Judiciously
The fact that broken or dress ramification do not grow back is beneficial when keeping Star Pines as container flora .
It is easy to moderate their sizing and shape through heedful pruning using a sharp , infertile blade . Norfolk Pines are an excellent choice for indoor or outdoor bonsai undertaking .
Guard Against Cold
Norfolk Island Pines grow out of doors in containers ask tribute against the common cold at all sentence .
If temperature drop below 40 ° degrees Fahrenheit , cover your container trees or fetch them indoors .
Araucaria Heterophylla is Carefree With the Right Care
These tropic plants are resistive to pest and disease trouble . The most vulgar job stems from overwatering and poor placement .
Your Norfolk Island Pine is certain to outlive and flourish if planted in an area with :
pitiable ventilation , soggy soil , and too little light will take to fungal infection such as anthracnose . accented tree may also be subject to plague by mealy bug or weighing machine insects .
Because these trees can produce to such orotund size when planted outdoors , it ’s dear to keep these gadfly under control . permit professional pestis direction services handle heavy infestations of graduated table or mealybugs on large trees .
