evergreen tree native to China and Japan; in nature it reaches heights close to twenty meters, as a bonsai suitable for all sizes. It has an erect stem and a pyramidal or oval crown, generally the adult specimens have dense and rigid ramifications, while the young specimens may need topping to produce numerous shoots along the stem; the dark and smooth coreteccia takes many years to crack. The leaves are needle-like, long and flattened, similar to those of the badger, leathery, of a dark green color; the male and female inflorescences grow on different trees, only on very old specimens, which also produce small berries containing the seeds. Podocarps have slow growth and are quite suitable for beginners, although it is not always easy to give the crown the desired shape.
this evergreen tree grows all year round, and new branches tend to grow upwards, so it is necessary to constantly trim the shoots, as well as gently detach the oversized leaves. Vigorous pruning is done preferably in winter. The metal wire can be applied all year round, being careful not to damage the bark, protecting it with raffia; the lignified branches bend with great difficulty.
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Pieris japonica
Pieris (once grouped in the genus Andromeda) are evergreen shrubs, of medium or small size, widespread above all in the mountainous areas of central and eastern Asia; some bota species …
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Kerria of Japan – Kerria japonica
Only the japonica species, native to Asia, belongs to the Kerria genus; it is a medium-sized shrub, which reaches 200-250 cm in height, with a rounded shape. The ke drums …
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Spirea of Japan – Spiraea japonica
The Japanese spirea is a very interesting plant for the garden lover. They are in fact undemanding shrubs, easy to cultivate, with rapid growth and, at the same time, very …
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Japanese anemone – Anemone japonica
One of the most elegant and easy to grow flowering bulbs, the Japanese anemone also offers us the advantage of blooming between September and October, when most of the other plants in the garden …
these plants love sunny areas, or at least very bright ones; growth with insufficient light causes very elongated leaves, excess sun can instead cause burns on the leaves. From March to September the plant can be placed outside, in a bright but partially shaded place, especially in the hottest months of the year; the podocarp cannot stand the cold and does not like temperatures below 10C, so in winter it should be kept indoors, or in a temperate greenhouse, with temperatures around 15-18C. In general it is better to avoid sudden changes in temperature and blows of air.
Watering: keep the soil moist enough, without exceeding it, always letting the earth dry a little between one watering and the other; it is also advisable to frequently vaporize the hair with distilled water. Every 15-20 days add some universal fertilizer to the irrigation water.
Soil: prefers rich, loose and very well drained soils; use a mixture prepared with two parts of peat, one part of sand, one part of leaf soil and one part of clay. Repot in spring every 2-3 years, cutting the roots a little.
Multiplication: occurs by seed, even if the seeds are not easy to find; cuttings can be made more easily, possibly using portions of the new shoots, since the already lignified branches root with difficulty.
Pests and diseases: poorly drained soil can favor the onset of root rot; excesses of drought or humidity can favor attacks by mites or cochineal; in excellent cultivation conditions the podocarps are not affected by parasites or diseases.
Source: www.giardinaggio.it