Behind the futuristic habit of an Andean fir hides a prehistoric tree with a thousand-year life expectancy. No extensive gardening experience is required for the evergreen gem to cause a sensation in your garden. Here you can read helpful answers to frequently asked questions about the professional care of the exotic snake tree in beds and tubs.
Plant Andean fir correctly
for one Andean fir we recommend spring planting in March/April in a sunny to partially shaded location. Prepare the soil so that the tree will find humus rich, loose and well-drained soil with an acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.8. If these ideal conditions are not given, enrich the excavation of the planting pit with leaf compost, needle compost or bog soil. Put the potted root ball deep enough into the ground so that the previous planting depth is maintained and the root ball is flush with the ground. Tamp down the soil and water with soft water.
care tips
If you pay attention to the following care program, the reward is a furious conifer that attracts everyone's attention:
- Water the Andean fir regularly over moderately with soft water
- Organic every 4 weeks from March to August fertilize or administer a special preparation for araucaria
- Do not cut and do not transplant
In mild locations, the Chilean Andean fir has the potential to overwinter in beds. Cover the root disc with leaves and needle twigs. Trunk and branches are covered with a breathable, weather-resistant fleece.
Which location is suitable?
The Andean fir prefers a sunny to semi-shady, warm and wind-protected location. Choose a spot with sandy, humus-rich and well-drained soil, rich in nutrients and low in lime. An important criterion for a vital snake tree is the slightly acidic pH value of 5.5 to 6.8.
What soil does the plant need?
The Andean fir prefers a humus-loose, nutrient-rich and lime-free soil. A pH of 5.5 to 6.8 is desirable. You can determine to what extent this criterion is met with a simple test set from the hardware store. For cultivation in buckets, we recommend bog bed soil based on compost, optimized with lava granules for best permeability.
The right planting distance
The bizarre silhouette of an Andean fir comes into its own as a solitaire. Since the jewelry tree will reach a height of 10 meters and a width of 4 meters over the years, give it as much space as possible. A planting distance of 300-400 cm is wisely chosen, as the wood does not tolerate pruning or transplanting.
Cut Andean fir correctly
Never attack an Andean fir with scissors, for any reason. The snake tree does not sprout again from cut branches. Consequently, do not take cuttings as the affected branch will stop growing.
Pour the Andean fir
A continuous water supply is one of the essential care aspects. Always water an Andean fir when the soil has dried out. Waterlogging is just as destructive as drought stress. In order to maintain the acidic pH value, pour mainly soft rainwater, decalcified tap water or pond water onto the root disc.
Fertilize Anden fir properly
The nutrient requirements of an Andean fir are at a low level. Fertilize the decorative shrubs in the bed organically every 3-4 weeks from March to August. Acid leaf or coniferous compost is advantageous. Bark humus or guano granules are also good for the tree. In bucket culture, you should ideally administer a special liquid fertilizer for araucaria that is precisely tailored to the needs.
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hibernate
In sheltered locations and in the mild wine-growing climate, the Chilean Andean fir (Araucaria araucana) hibernate outdoors, provided they are given this winter protection:
- Cover the root disc with a 30 cm high layer of leaves, fixed with needle brushwood
- Wrap reed mats, jute ribbons or fleece around the trunk and branches
- Young trees a hood made of breathable garden fleece put on
- Also set up a shading net in sunny locations in winter
Since the evergreen snake tree will continue to evaporate moisture, water in the absence of rain or snow on mild days. Cultivated in tubs, place the Andean fir in a frost-free, bright winter quarters at 5 to 10 degrees Celsius.
Propagate Andean fir
By propagating an Andean fir, you are also making an important contribution to the conservation of the endangered plant. Since the sensitive tree does not tolerate any pruning measures, propagation by cuttings is out of the question. Only the generative offspring by means sowing has a chance of success. Stratify the seeds first. The seed receives a cold stimulus for 6-8 weeks at - 4 to + 4 degrees Celsius on the wintry balcony or in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. As a result, germination begins within 3-6 months on a partially shaded window seat at 23-25 degrees Celsius.
How do I plant correctly?
Do not transplant an Andean fir. The decorative tree cannot cope with a change of location in the bed due to its deep-reaching taproot. Likewise, the snake tree in bucket culture should be cared for in a large container from the start in order to avoid the tricky repotting.
Andean fir in a pot
Cultivation in a pot is possible, provided a frost-free, bright winter quarters is available for the Andean fir. The snake tree does not survive hibernation in the open air. Choose a large bucket with a volume of 90 liters and more right from the start, as the tree does not like to be repotted. As a substrate, we recommend loose bog bed soil or low-peat standard soil. A drainage made of potsherds above the water drain in the floor prevents waterlogging. How to properly care for the piece of jewelry:
- If the substrate dries, water until the water runs out of the bottom opening
- Fertilize liquid every 4 weeks from March to August
- Don't cut and don't repot
In the winter quarters, adjust the water supply to the reduced demand. There is no fertilizer from September to February. Temperatures should range between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius.
brown leaves
If the decorative leaves of an Andean fir turn brown, this is due to various reasons. We have listed the most common triggers for you with tips for solving the problem:
- Drought stress: Water regularly in both summer and winter when the soil has dried out
- Waterlogging: stop water supply for some time; However, do not let the substrate dry out completely
- Summer heat: Shade the tree during the midday hours
- Winter sunburn: Cover the trunk and branches with fleece or reed mats
Do not cut off the brown needles. If the Andean fir recovers, it sheds it on its own to sprout freshly.