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 patersonii, a 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 pots, as long as they are large and are pruned regularly.
Origin and characteristics of Lagunaria patersonii
In this evergreen tree native to Australia, where it is endemic to Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, and parts of coastal Queensland. It is popularly known as the pyramid tree, pica tree, lagoon, or Norfolk Island hibiscus (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 meters., with a more or less pyramidal and very dense cup. 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 when young, later becoming glabrous and light-green on both sides when they reach adulthood. .
The flowers are solitary and hermaphroditic, measuring about 3 to 5 centimeters. They have a bell-shaped shape and are pink in color. The fruit is a spherical capsule of 2 to 3 centimeters, inside which are reniform seeds, smooth and reddish in color.
What are the care it requires?
If you want to have a copy of Lagunaria patersonii, we recommend that you provide the following care:
Location
It is a plant that must be abroad, in an area where the sun shines directly, if possible throughout the day.
To avoid problems, if it is going to be in the garden it must be at a minimum distance of five meters from pipes, walls, etc.
Earth
- 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 suffer damage due to contact with the water that remains stagnant.
Irrigation
The frequency of irrigation will depend a lot on the weather conditions of the area. So while in the hottest summers, with maximum temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius or more, and dry it may be necessary to water 3 or 4 times a week, the rest of the year more days will be left without watering.
Now, it is important that, when watering, all the soil or substrate is well moistened. Likewise, to make better use of the water, it is preferable to water it 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 early spring to late summer it is advisable to fertilize from time to time, about 2-3 times a month, with organic fertilizers such as guano, the manure of herbivorous animals, or the compost.
You should bear in mind that if you have it in a pot, it is better that you use liquid fertilizers, following the instructions specified on the package. This way the drainage will still be good and the roots will not be in any risk of suffocation, a common problem that occurs when the drainage is poor.
Multiplication
The lagoon is a tree that multiplies by seeds in spring, following this step by step:
- First, a seedbed is filled (it can be a pot with holes, or a forest seedbed tray, for example), with universal substrate.
- Then, it is watered consciously.
- Afterwards, a maximum of two seeds are placed in each pot/alveolus, and they are buried a little so that they are not directly exposed to the king sun.
- 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 waterlogged) 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 the opportunity to trim the branches, thus making them smaller.
Rusticity
Resists cold and frost down to -4ºC, but it is preferable that the young specimens remain 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 plant, either in a pot or in gardens. It looks great as an isolated specimen, although it can be displayed as a shrub or small 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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