The Garden News

Issue No. 11.50

December 15, 2011

Get Social!

What are Norfolk Island Pines?

Norfolk Island Pines, Araucaria Heterophylla, are native to Norfolk Island ... That's somewhere between New Zealand and Australia in the South Pacific. They can reach a height of 80 feet in their natural habitat, but as a slow-growing, long-lived houseplant they will maintain a reasonable size (4-8 feet).

The beauty and symmetry of the plant, as well as the soft flowing texture of the foliage will make you want to decorate it, and use it for your living Christmas tree! Norfolk Island Pines may be grown in most temperature ranges which are suitable for people. However, they will do better when grown in a cool room with day time temperatures of about 65° f. and slightly cooler at night, but never below 50 degrees!. Drafts, extremes in temperature, either hot or cold, and sudden changes in temperatures should be carefully avoided. Norfolk Pines need bright light but never full sun. Preferably you should place your tree within four feet of a large window. Norfolks can survive with only household incandescent or fluorescent lighting if they receive a minimum of 16 hours of light each day. This may be effective in keeping the plant alive for a year or two, but its health will decline. There is no substitute for bright, natural light. Turn your Norfolk Island Pine frequently to keep it symmetrical.

Norfolk Island Pines should be watered thoroughly every week during the summer to keep the potting mix slightly moist (never soggy!) Water more often if your plant is drying out earlier. During the winter months allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. Preferably, you should use rainwater or water which has set for 24 hours to protect your tree from chemicals. Feed monthly in the summer with a half strength solution of a soluble house plant fertilizer.

Maintaining your Norfolk Island Pine

Lack of sufficient moisture in the air will cause tip browning, needle drop, and eventually, the lower branches to die off. Misting is the best thing you could do for your Norfolk Pine, followed by any other method which would add humidity to the room like a humidifier or aquarium. Norfolk Pines are one of the very few plants who enjoy being misted with COOL water, rather than room temperature water.

Pruning and Potting Norfolk Pine Trees

Do Not Prune Norfolk Island Pines! The only pruning that should ever be done is snipping off brown tips and dead branches. Brown tips will never turn back to green, and unfortunately, once they have turned brown, growth will stop from that point. Any other pruning you may decide to do will have the same effect... no new growth from that point.

Norfolk Island Pines have very sensitive roots, so they should only be transplanted every 3-4 years in the spring. Water thoroughly before starting the potting process. Use a fast-draining, sterile, commercial potting soil mix.

Norfolk Island Pines as Christmas Trees

If you should decide to decorate and use your Norfolk Pine as a living Christmas tree, be sure that the soil is kept sufficiently moist during that time when it is decorated. Electric Lights have a severe drying effect on plants. Be sure to mist your tree daily, or provide other sources of additional humidity. DON'T leave the decorations in place any longer than necessary!

Our Christmas Store Is OPEN!

Stop by and check out our store at the Grand Central Mall in Vienna, WV! It will be open now through Christmas during mall hours.

It is stocked with fresh poinsettias, Christmas decorations, candy, and tons of other goodies!

December 2011

1st-2nd Good Days For Killing Weeds, Briars And Other Plant Pests, Poor For Planting.
3rd-4th Plant Peppers, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes And Other Aboveground Crops, In Southern Florida, California, And Texas. Extra Good For Cucumbers, Peas, Cantaloupes, And Other Vine Crops.
5th-6th A Poor Time To Plant.
7th-8th Fine For Planting Beans, Peppers, Cucumbers, Melons And Other Aboveground Crops, Where Climate Is Suitable.
9th-10th Seeds Planted Now Tend To Rot In The Ground.
11th-12th Most Favorable Days For Planting Beets, Onions, Turnips And Other Root Crops, Where Climate Allows. Plant Seedbeds And Flower Gardens. Good Days For Transplanting.
13th-17th A Most Barren Period. Kill Plant Pests And Do General Farm Work.
18th-19th Favorable Days For Planting Root Crops, Fine For Sowing Grains, Hay, And Forage Crops. Plant Flowers.
20th-21st Plant Carrots, Beets, Onions, Turnips, Irish Potatoes And Other Root Crops, In The South. Lettuce, Cabbage, Collards, And Other Leafy Vegetables Will Do Well. Start Seedbeds. Good Days For Transplanting.
22nd-24th Do No Planting.
25th-26th Plant Sweet Corn, Beans, Peppers And Other Aboveground Crops, Where Climate Is Suitable.
27th-29th Good Days For Killing Weeds, Briars And Other Plant Pests, Poor For Planting.
30th-31st Plant Peppers, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes And Other Aboveground Crops, In Southern Florida, California, And Texas. Extra Good For Cucumbers, Peas, Cantaloupes, And Other Vine Crops.