The plant is a monkey tree, a monkey riddle or just araucaria - very beautiful and unusual. This is the oldest representative of conifers, which can be found on the rocks of South America, in Australia or in New Zealand. The monkey tree belongs to the Araukariyev family. Giant trees predominate in the natural environment, but miniature specimens are usually used in culture. In the photo, the monkey tree resembles a small Christmas tree that can be decorated for the New Year. It also looks charming in a room all year long.
Plant description
A monkey tree as a houseplant can reach a height of 1.5 m, although in nature there are specimens up to 50 m high. It has a developed, deep-going root system. Annual growth in the most favorable conditions does not exceed 10-15 cm.
Young shoots, including the stem, are covered with bright green bark. As the branches age, they become lignified and turn brown. Lateral processes are located horizontally or have a drooping shape. Branches form tiers from the very base of the stem. Gradually, the plant discards the lower shoots and the trunk is exposed. The branches themselves, covered with short hard needles, have a cylindrical shape and resemble the tail of an animal. This similarity is especially noticeable in adult massive plants. Therefore, another name for the tree is monkey ponytails.
The needles resemble hard sessile leaves. Narrow triangular or oblong spikes are painted in light green with a bluish tint. On closer inspection, you will notice that the needles are arranged in a spiral. They sit very firmly on the branches and fall only with them. The needles vaporize essential oils and volatile. They improve the composition of the air, and also help fight harmful microorganisms.
Most monkey trees are dioecious. Their flowering occurs after full maturity, by about 40-50 years. On male lower plants, elongated flowers bloom with many anthers. Their length can reach 20-25 cm. Large oblong cones covered with green skin ripen on female trees. The diameter of the cones is about 35 cm. They are edible, like pine nuts.
Popular views
About 20 species of monkey trees are found in nature, but only single, most compact specimens are used in indoor cultivation.
Araucaria is diverse. An unpretentious plant with a height of only 50-65 cm. Horizontal, long branches are located on an upright trunk, also covered with pine needles. All vegetation is bright green. On each branch there are several more gradually shortening lateral processes. On a young tree, the shoots are densely dotted with needle-shaped bright green needles. Their length is 1-2 cm, and their width is 1 mm. Over the years, the needles become triangular, similar to the adjacent green scales. The length of the flakes is 8-10 mm with a width of 2-4 mm.
Brazilian monkey tree (narrow-leaved araucaria). A taller plant that can also be grown at home. Its height can reach 3-4 m. It grows in the south of Brazil. At the top of a long stem are several whorled branches. In appearance, the tree resembles a palm tree. The entire crown is grouped at the top in the shape of an umbrella. Lanceolate dark green scales end with a sharp spike. The length of the needles is 3-6 cm, with a width of 5 mm. On the fertile branches of the needles is located much thicker. Dioecious trees, leathery cones in diameter reach 20 cm.
Chilean Araucaria. The plant is a tall (up to 60 m), upright tree. This alpine monkey tree is adapted to cold weather and can withstand short-term frosts down to -20 ° C. The bark of even an adult plant is cast in green. The surface of the stem is covered with many scars left from fallen branches. Coniferous scales in the shape of a concave triangle 3-4 cm long and 1-3 cm wide are distributed in a spiral. Each leaflet can be on the branch for up to 15 years.
Hunstein Monkey Tree today is increasingly found in culture. These small potted Christmas trees are very popular. The birthplace of this species is New Guinea, where it can grow up to 90 m in height. The top of an even trunk is dotted with whorls of branches. Coniferous scales or small needles are 6-12 cm long and 1.5-2 cm wide. They have a wider base and a pointed edge. Monoecious plants carry male flowers on thinner branches, and oval cones up to 25 cm in diameter are located on thickened shoots.
Breeding methods
Propagation of a monkey tree is done by sowing seeds or rooting cuttings. Seeds should be sown in the first 2 months after collection or they will lose germination. Planting is done in small individual pots of 1-2 seeds in each. Use sandy peat or sandy sheet soil with the addition of charcoal. Sunflower seeds are deepened in moist soil by 2-3 cm. The pot is kept at a temperature of about +20 ° C and the earth is periodically sprayed. Shoots appear after 2-8 weeks. The seedling is grown without picking and transplanting in the same pot until the rhizome fills all the free space.
For cuttings in March or April, apical, semi-lignified shoots are cut. The slice is produced slightly below the whorl. The released resin is removed from the bark, and the cut is dipped in crushed charcoal. After root treatment, the stem is planted in a small pot with sand and peat soil. The seedling is covered with a transparent cap and kept at a temperature of +25 ° C. The rooting process usually takes about two months.
Transplant Rules
Too often a transplant is not recommended. Until the roots have filled all the free space in the pot, the tree will develop perfectly without outside interference. Before replanting a monkey tree, it is necessary to dry the soil a little. The procedure is planned for early spring. A wide pot with holes in the bottom should be prepared. First pour shards or brick chips.
Planting soil should include the following components:
- sand;
- turf land;
- peat;
- sheet earth;
- charcoal.
It is important to be extremely careful with the rhizome and use the earthen coma method. Keep the old soil as much as possible.
Growing Features
Caring for a monkey tree at home is not too complicated, it refers to unpretentious plants. You should choose a bright place that is long lit by the sun. Contact with direct sunlight is undesirable. In summer, it is recommended to take the pots outside, in a place protected from wind and rain. In order for the crown to develop evenly, you need to turn the tree 90 ° daily. The monkey tree does not like heat. Optimum air temperature is +20 ° C. In winter, you should adhere to a temperature of + 10 ... +15 ° C.
Araucaria should be watered abundantly and often throughout the year. In no case should the earth dry out completely, but you should also get rid of excess water right away. Too high humidity the monkey tree does not need, but periodic sprayings are welcome.
In spring and summer, a very weak solution of organic or mineral fertilizers can be applied monthly. It is important to keep their calcium levels to a minimum.
The monkey tree is resistant to diseases and parasites. Sometimes aphids, mealybugs or specific coniferous parasites appear on it. An effective insecticide, for example, Aktara, will help to cope with them.
