Woollemi Pine - Garden Express
Episode: #18 18/8/07
Presenter: Melissa King
65 million years ago the dominant life form on earth, the dinosaurs, vanished from the face of the planet. It must have been a catastrophic event to wipe out something so powerful. But one species survived, a humble little tree, the Wollemi Pine Tree.
There is a great little story behind how this tree was discovered. In 1994 a National Parks and Wildlife Officer was out bushwalking and stumbled upon this tree in a rainforest gorge in the Blue Mountains – although the exact location has never been publicised because it was such a rare and special find.
To give you an idea of just how special this find really was - the Wollemi Pine belongs to the Araucariaceae family, which is an ancient family. In fact palaeontologists even suggest that Dinosaurs may have feasted on the leaves of this very plant.
It goes without saying that a plant which has survived millions of years is a good Aussie battler. It has proved that it is easy to grow as well as being low maintenance. It survives a wide range of temperatures from minus 5 up to 45 degrees. Wollemi’s grow in full sun and partly shaded positions outdoors, amazingly it also does well indoors in a well lit area, it is an amazingly versatile tree.
If you have got the space it makes a stunning feature tree – but if that is too hard, you can maintain a beautiful specimen in a big pot.
Like with all potted plants the key is a quality, free draining potting mix, a mix formulated for native plants is ideal. You can also feed them with a low phosphorous slow release food for natives. You can keep it in a large pot for most of their life; just shape it every now and then to keep it compact. Perfect for a patio even a balcony or in a courtyard.
There is less than 100 of these trees left growing in the wild – at least that we know of, and what better way to ensure its survival, than to grow them at home. Royalties from the sale of these plants go to conserving the Wollemi Pine and other rare and endangered plant species. By planting one of these trees you are doing your bit for its survival and taking home a little piece of history.
While you quite happily get your hands dirty in the garden you can also do a bit of online shopping, to help find some of these wonderful and rare plants.
Spring is here which means the new garden express catalogue is out. It includes pages of proteas, waratahs, gorgeous frangipanis, top native plants and summer flowering bulbs ready to plant now. Log onto their website to order yours today.
For further information please visit: www.gardenexpress.com.au
Presenter: Melissa King
65 million years ago the dominant life form on earth, the dinosaurs, vanished from the face of the planet. It must have been a catastrophic event to wipe out something so powerful. But one species survived, a humble little tree, the Wollemi Pine Tree.
There is a great little story behind how this tree was discovered. In 1994 a National Parks and Wildlife Officer was out bushwalking and stumbled upon this tree in a rainforest gorge in the Blue Mountains – although the exact location has never been publicised because it was such a rare and special find.
To give you an idea of just how special this find really was - the Wollemi Pine belongs to the Araucariaceae family, which is an ancient family. In fact palaeontologists even suggest that Dinosaurs may have feasted on the leaves of this very plant.
It goes without saying that a plant which has survived millions of years is a good Aussie battler. It has proved that it is easy to grow as well as being low maintenance. It survives a wide range of temperatures from minus 5 up to 45 degrees. Wollemi’s grow in full sun and partly shaded positions outdoors, amazingly it also does well indoors in a well lit area, it is an amazingly versatile tree.
If you have got the space it makes a stunning feature tree – but if that is too hard, you can maintain a beautiful specimen in a big pot.
Like with all potted plants the key is a quality, free draining potting mix, a mix formulated for native plants is ideal. You can also feed them with a low phosphorous slow release food for natives. You can keep it in a large pot for most of their life; just shape it every now and then to keep it compact. Perfect for a patio even a balcony or in a courtyard.
There is less than 100 of these trees left growing in the wild – at least that we know of, and what better way to ensure its survival, than to grow them at home. Royalties from the sale of these plants go to conserving the Wollemi Pine and other rare and endangered plant species. By planting one of these trees you are doing your bit for its survival and taking home a little piece of history.
While you quite happily get your hands dirty in the garden you can also do a bit of online shopping, to help find some of these wonderful and rare plants.
Spring is here which means the new garden express catalogue is out. It includes pages of proteas, waratahs, gorgeous frangipanis, top native plants and summer flowering bulbs ready to plant now. Log onto their website to order yours today.
For further information please visit: www.gardenexpress.com.au
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