How to Grow Araucaria araucana
Position – Full sun or part shade
Soil – Moist, well-drained
Flowering Period – Summer
Hardiness – Fully hardy
Araucaria araucana are commonly referred to as the monkey puzzle tree. They are evergreen trees that originate from the Southern Hemisphere, particularly in places such as southern Chile and western Argentina. The leaves are sharply pointed, dark and triangular. Male and female cones often occupy separate trees and more mature plants may adorn cones on the upper branches. Araucaria araucana will grow slowly, often reaching an optimum life span of 250 years. After 50 years of growth, it is expected that your Araucaria araucana will have reached a height of 20m (66') and a spread of 8m (26').
Araucaria araucana are best planted in moist, well-drained soil of a loam, chalk and sand within in acidic and neutral PH balance. They are best positioned in an open area with plenty of space to develop and will grow healthily in full sun or part shade.
Araucaria araucana are low maintenance and will require a light prune as a young tree in late spring or early winter to maintain an attractive and pleasing shape.
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It is possible to propagate Araucaria araucana by taking cuttings of vertical shoot tips during the middle of summer, or by root in a cold frame. It is important to highlight that if cuttings are taken from the horizontal side branches, it is unlikely this will form an upright tree. Ripe seeds sown in a seed bed are also a key method of propagation for this species.
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