Buddhist Pine

Buddhist Pine Care

Podacarpus Macrophyllus

What is the plant

Buddhist pine is a tree from the genus Podocarpus, family Podocarpaceae. You may know this tree by many names: yew plum pine, Buddhist pine, fern pine, and Japanese yew. This evergreen plant will be an exquisite decoration of any garden.

Externally, Podocarpus macrophyllus is a tree 26-66 feet (8-20 meters) tall with thick, curved horizontal branches. The bark is dark gray, rough, later cracked, and partially crumbling. The needles are straight, dark green, and shiny on the front side. Mature seeds 10-12 mm long, oval, dark purple, with a waxy coating, resemble a cherry fruit in appearance.

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Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

15°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

8a - 11

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Buddhist pine is not a drought-tolerant plant. You should not allow the soil to dry out completely. You can water when the soil is dry on the top and moist inside. The brown tips of the needles may indicate the overflow of the plant.
Pruning
You can pinch new sprouts as needed. You can also form young sprouts with flexible wire from August to March. Older branches are amenable to shaping at any time. Remember, woody branches are very fragile.
Fertilizer
From spring to autumn, you should fertilize Podocarpus macrophyllus every 14 days; in winter - every 6 weeks. Use liquid fertilizer at half-strength. Gardeners recommend watering with chelated iron twice a year.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Lighting is very important for Buddhist pine. The plant can grow in conditions of moderate lighting. You can place a pot with a tree in all house areas, except the north one. The best option would be the east or south window.
Soil
Use well-drained soil with leaf compost and perlite or coarse river sand. Neutral, medium-nutrient, well permeable to water soil is suitable. Buddhist pine adapts well to a wide range of soil types, from very acidic to slightly alkaline.
Propagation
Buddhist pine propagates by cuttings 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) long. For the best effect, use a mixture of peat and sand, as well as rooting preparations. You should cover the seedlings. You can also germinate a plant from seed.

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Temperature
The temperature should not be below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 Celsius). In the warm season, you can keep Buddhist pine outside, but be sure to arrange additional shade from the active summer sun. The most acceptable indicators in the summer are about 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius). The plant does not tolerate dry air.
Container
Podocarpus macrophyllus is an unpretentious plant. You can use a pot of any material. The plant does well in cramped conditions, and it is not necessary to change the container size when transplanting. Mature trees need repotting every two years in the spring. You can also place the tree on a stone stand and pour water on the bottom. Water will evaporate and provide additional moisture.
Fun fact
This type of tree is practically not susceptible to diseases and pests

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Additional
Podocarpus has a level #1 toxicity if eaten. However, various parts of the plant, especially the seeds within the berries are very harmful to dogs, cats, and horses. This plant should be kept away from small children and animals.
Popularity
79 people already have this plant 18 people have added this plant to their wishlists