Lagunaria patersonii, care of the pica-pica tree

There are many trees that produce beautiful flowers, and there are several that can live in a wide variety of climates. One of them is the Lagunaria patersoniia wonder of a kind that gets really lovely during the spring.

Due to its characteristics, it is very interesting for medium and large gardens, although everything must be said: adapts quite well to living even in potsas long as they are large and are pruned regularly.

Origin and characteristics of Lagunaria patersonii

It is a evergreen tree native to Australia, where it is endemic to Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and parts of the Queensland coast. It is popularly known as a pyramid tree, pica tree, lagunaria, or hibiscus from Norfolk Island (although it does not belong to the genus Hibiscus, but Lagunaria). Its scientific name is Lagunaria patersonii o Lagunaria patersonia.

It grows to a height of between 10 and 14 meterswith a more or less pyramidal and very dense crown. Its leaves are alternate, petiolate, with a size of 5 to 10 by 2 to 5 centimeters, green on the upper side and tomentose-whitish on the underside of youngsters, then turning glabrous and light-green on both sides when they become adults .

The flowers are solitary and hermaphroditicmeasuring about 3 to 5 centimeters. They are bell-shaped and pinkish in color. The fruit is a 2 to 3 centimeter spherical capsule, inside which are reniform, smooth and reddish seeds.

What are the care it requires?

If you want to have a copy of Lagunaria patersoniiwe recommend that you provide the following care:

Location

It is a plant that must be abroadin an area where the sun shines directly, if possible throughout the day.

To avoid problems, if it is to be kept in the garden, it must be at a minimum distance of five meters from pipes, walls, etc.

Earth

• the garden: the land must be rich in organic matter, and well drained.
• Flower pot: fill with a first layer of about 3 centimeters of arlite, pumice or similar, and then with a mixture of universal substrate mixed with 30% perlite. In addition, it is important that the pot has holes in the base through which the water can escape, since otherwise the roots could be damaged due to contact with the stagnant water.

Irrigation

The frequency of irrigation will depend a lot on the weather conditions of the area. So while in the hottest summerswith maximum temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius or more, and dry it may be necessary to water 3 or 4 times a weekthe rest of the year more days will be left without watering.

Now, it is important that, when watering, all the soil or substrate is moistened well. Likewise, to take advantage of the water more and better, it is preferable that it be watered at sunset, especially during the hottest time of the year, since this way the Lagunaria patersonii you will have more time to meet your water needs.

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As important as water is food, the contribution of nutrients. Because, from the beginning of spring to the end of summer it is advisable to fertilize from time to timeabout 2-3 times a month, with organic fertilizers such as guano, manure from herbivorous animals, or compost.

You must bear in mind that if you have it in a pot, it is better to use liquid fertilizers, following the instructions specified on the container. In this way, the drainage will remain good and the roots will not be at risk of suffocation, a common problem that occurs when the drainage is bad.

Multiplication

The lagoon is a tree that multiplies by seeds in springfollowing this step by step:

1. First, a seedbed is filled (it can be a pot with holes, or a forest seedbed tray for example), with universal substrate.
2. Then, it is watered consciously.
3. Afterwards, a maximum of two seeds are placed in each pot / socket, and they are buried a little so that they are not directly exposed to the star king.
4. Finally, a copper of copper or sulfur is sprinkled (for sale here!), it is watered again, and the seedbed is placed outside.

Keeping the substrate moist (but not flooded) they will germinate in about 15 days.

Pruning

Dry, diseased, weak or broken branches must be removed towards the end of winter. In the case of having it in a pot, you can also take advantage of it to trim the branches, thus making them smaller.

Rusticity

Resists cold and frost down to -4ºCbut it is preferable that the young specimens are kept a little protected if the temperature drops below 0 degrees.

What uses does the Lagunaria patersonii?

It is a tree that used as an ornamental planteither in pot or in gardens. It looks wonderful as an isolated specimen, although it can be eaten as a shrub or tree because it tolerates pruning.

As if that were not enough, you can have it near the sea.

Where to buy?

You can buy seeds from here!.

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