Behind the futuristic habitus of an Andean fir lies a prehistoric tree with a life expectancy of a thousand years. No extensive gardening experience is required for this evergreen gem to cause a sensation in your garden. Here you can read helpful answers to frequently asked questions about the professional care of the exotic snake tree in beds and containers.
How do I care for an Andean fir?
The Andean fir requires a sunny to partially shaded location, humus-rich, loose and well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH value, regular watering with soft water, organic fertilization and protection from winter temperatures. Cutting and transplanting should be avoided.
Planting Andean fir correctly
For an Andean fir, we recommend spring planting in March/April in a sunny to partially shaded location. Prepare the soil in such a way that the tree finds humus-rich, loose and well-drained soil with an acidic pH value of 5.5 to 6.8. Where these ideal conditions are not present, enrich the excavation of the planting pit with leaf compost, coniferous compost or ericaceous soil. Place the potted root ball so deeply into the soil that the previous planting depth is maintained and the root ball is flush with the ground. Tamp the soil firmly and water with soft water.
Care tips
If you pay attention to the following care program, the reward will be a furious conifer that will attract everyone's attention:
- Water the Andean fir regularly and moderately with soft water
- From March to August, fertilize organically every 4 weeks or administer a special preparation for araucaria
- Do not cut or transplant
In mild locations, the Chilean Andean fir has the potential to overwinter in the bed. Cover the root disc with leaves and coniferous twigs. The trunk and branches are covered with a breathable, weather-resistant fleece.
Which location is suitable?
The Andean fir prefers a sunny to partially shaded, warm and wind-protected location. Choose a place with sandy, humus-rich and well-drained soil, rich in nutrients and low in lime. An important criterion for a vital snake tree is the slightly acidic pH value of 5.5 to 6.8.
What soil does the plant need?
The Andean fir prefers a humus-loose, nutrient-rich and lime-free soil. A pH of 5.5 to 6.8 is desirable. You can determine to what extent this criterion is met with a simple test set (€17.00 at Amazon) from the hardware store. For cultivation in a bucket, we recommend compost-based ericaceous soil, optimized with lava granules for best permeability.
The correct planting distance
The bizarre silhouette of an Andean fir comes into its own as a solitaire. Since the ornamental tree reaches a height of 10 meters and a width of 4 meters over the years, give it as much space as possible. A planting distance of 300-400 cm is wisely chosen, as the tree can neither be cut nor transplanted.
Cut Andean fir correctly
Never attack an Andean fir with scissors, for whatever reason. The snake tree does not sprout again from cut branches. Therefore, do not take cuttings as the affected branch will stop growing.
Watering Andean fir
A continuous water supply is one of the essential aspects of care. Water an Andean fir whenever the soil has dried out. Waterlogging is just as destructive as drought stress. To ensure that the acidic pH value is maintained, add mostly soft rainwater, decalcified tap water or pond water to the root disk.
Fertilize Andean fir properly
The nutrient requirements of an Andean fir are at a low level. Fertilize the ornamental tree in the bed organically every 3-4 weeks from March to August. Acid leaf or needle compost is advantageous. Bark humus or guano granules are also good for the tree. In container culture, you should ideally administer a special liquid fertilizer for araucaria that is tailored precisely to your needs.read more
Wintering
In protected locations and in a mild wine-growing climate, the Chilean Andean fir (Araucaria araucana) can overwinter outdoors, provided it is given this winter protection:
- Cover the root disc with a 30 cm high layer of leaves, secured with needle twigs
- Wrap reed mats, jute ribbons or fleece around the trunk and branches
- Put a hood made of breathable garden fleece over young trees
- In winter sunny locations, also put up a shade net
Because the evergreen snake tree continues to evaporate moisture, water on mild days in the absence of rain or snow. Cultivated in a bucket, place the Andean fir in the frost-free, bright winter quarters at 5 to 10 degrees Celsius.
Propagate Andean fir
By propagating an Andean fir, you are also making an important contribution to the conservation of the endangered plant. Since the sensitive tree cannot tolerate any pruning measures, propagation from cuttings is out of the question. Only generative breeding through sowing has a chance of being successful. First, subject the seeds to stratification. The seeds receive a cold stimulus for 6-8 weeks at -4 to +4 degrees Celsius on the winter balcony or in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. As a result, germination begins within 3-6 months in a partially shaded window seat at 23-25 degrees Celsius.
How do I transplant correctly?
Do not transplant an Andean fir. The pretty tree cannot cope with a change of location in the bed due to its deep taproot. Likewise, the snake tree in pot culture should be cared for in a large container right from the start in order to avoid the tricky repotting process.
Andean fir in pot
Cultivation in a pot is possible as long as a frost-free, bright winter quarter is available for the Andean fir. The snake tree cannot survive overwintering in the open air. Right from the start, choose a large pot with a volume of 90 liters or more, as the tree does not like to be repotted. We recommend loose ericaceous soil or low-peat standard soil as a substrate. Drainage made of pottery shards over the water drain in the ground prevents waterlogging. How to properly care for your piece of jewelry:
- If the substrate dries, water until the water runs out of the bottom opening
- Fertilize liquidly every 4 weeks from March to August
- Do not cut or repot
In winter quarters, adjust the water supply to the reduced demand. There is no fertilization from September to February. Temperatures should be between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius.
Brown leaves
If the decorative leaves of an Andean fir turn brown, this deficiency arises from various causes. We have listed the most common triggers for you with tips for solving the problem:
- Drought stress: Water regularly in both summer and winter when the soil has dried out
- Waterlogging: stop water supply for some time; However, do not let the substrate dry out completely
- Summer heat: Shade the tree during midday
- Winter sunburn: Cover the trunk and branches with fleece or reed mats
Do not cut off the brown needles. If the Andean fir recovers again, it will shed it automatically in order to sprout fresh.
