ARAUCARIA/ CHRISTMAS PLANT/ X-MAS PLANT – LIVE PLANT

Araucaria is a very hardy plant known for its beautiful foliage and peculiar arrangement. It is a widely cultivated indoor and outdoor plant. Araucaria is a maintenance-free plant that requires only watering and manuring.   Plant Requirement: Soil: Araucaria loves laterite red soil. Soil should be rich in organic matter and free from any pest or disease infestation. Soil should be well-drained, good water holding capacity and firm. It can be grown well in common garden soil or potting media. Water: Araucaria requires a moderate amount of water for its growth and development. One glass of water every alternate day for indoor pot plants is enough under ambient climatic conditions. Climate: Araucaria adapts vast climatic conditions from temperate to tropical. Its tin needle leaves and erect plant stature allows it to grow under any condition. Araucarias requires filtered/ semi-shade or full sunlight for its good growth. It can be grown in direct sunlight. Garden Use: Mostly Araucaria is used as a specimen plant in the garden. It can be used as a pot plant but it may require repotting as it grows larger and taller. Care and Maintenance: Nutrition: Araucaria requires a good amount of organic matter which can be provided through well-decomposed farmyard manure, vermicompost, or leaf mold. Protection: Araucarias are home to armored scales, mealybugs, and white woolly aphids. Provide a good amount of sunlight, optimum water, and once in a month handful manure of choice to keep all infestation at bay. Lady Bird Beetle is natural enemy to most of the pests; so if you found them feeding on aphids, you have an unpaid skilled gardener at work.