Coniferous plants clean the air well and fill it with a smell peculiar only to them. Not everyone knows that some of their species can be grown at home. Araucaria, or as it is called a fir-tree, is perfectly suitable for this.
Araucaria as a houseplant
At home, araucaria is often grown, which is a regular pyramidal plant with horizontally growing branches, strewn with needles of 2 cm. In such conditions, it grows to 1.5-2 m in height.
Care of the room araucaria
In order for the plant to develop well, it needs a rather difficult care. It consists in the following:
- Location. It requires a bright place without falling direct sunlight, away from heating appliances. For an even development, the plant should be rotated around its axis, so that each side is illuminated equally. The optimal temperature for Araucaria in summer is + 15-22 ° C, and in winter - not higher than +15 ° C. In summer, araucaria should be taken to fresh air in the penumbra (in the garden or on the balcony).
- The soil. For planting, you should use a special primer for coniferous plants or make soil mixture from turf and leaf land, peat and sand, taken in a ratio of 1: 2: 2: 1. A quarter of the height of the slide must be laid drainage.
- Watering. Room spruce should be watered abundantly in the summer with warm water every week, so that the soil in the pot is completely soaked. The water that has poured into the pan must then be drained off. In winter, water should be watered less often, only after the top layer of the soil dries. In a room with low humidity, the plant should be regularly sprayed with soft (standing) water, otherwise the needles will be covered with a white coating.
- Feeding. In spring and summer, it is recommended to apply fertilizers every 3 weeks with a minimal calcium content.
- Transfer. It is carried out in the spring or early summer as they grow: young - in 2-3 years, adults - 4-5 years. It must be carried out very carefully so as not to damage either the roots or the bark. When the new planting, you can not fall asleep the root collar. The transplant can be replaced by removing the top layer of the earth and falling asleep with a new one.
Reproduction of room araucaria
It can be carried by seeds and with the help of a handle. It is easier to use the second method. For this, the semi-stubby stem is cut off (only from an adult plant). The cut is made below the whorl for 3-4 cm and then treated with charcoal. After that, it is dried during the day. For rooting it is planted with a sand-peat mixture and covered with a plastic cup. It occurs within 3-5 months. If you decide to grow araucaria at home, you can dress it up for the New Year.