How to Grow a Norfolk Pine Tree in a Pot in Hawaii
Named for the tiny South Pacific island to which they are native, Norfolk Island pines are part of an ancient genus of trees found only in the southern hemisphere. Due to their attractive form, Norfolk Island pines make popular houseplants and are widely cultivated, particularly in Hawaii, where the climate is similar to that of their native island. Growing Norfolk Island pine trees in pots presents few challenges, but they must be protected from temperature fluctuations and provided with ample moisture in order to thrive. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Norfolk Island pine seeds
- Peat moss
- Sand
- Potting soil
- Dolomite
- 8-inch plastic nursery pot
- Spray bottle
- 3-1-2 fertilizer
Instructions
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1
Mix 1 part sand, 1 part potting soil, 1 part dolomite and 3 parts peat moss. Moisten it thoroughly. The potting medium should be evenly moist but not saturated. Fill an 8-inch plastic nursery pot with the soil.
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2
Place two Norfolk Island pine seeds on top of the soil. Press them lightly into the soil, but do not cover them. Mist the seeds daily for 15 days, or until they begin to germinate. Keep the pot near a window that receives bright, indirect light. The seeds can be left to germinate outdoors in Hawaii, but they must be kept away from direct sunlight.
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3
Monitor the trees for growth. When the seedlings reach 3 inches in height, transplant them into a permanent pot.
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4
Fill a 1-gallon pot with well-draining potting medium with a pH between 5.5 to 6.5. Create a depression in the center of the soil and transplant the young seedling into its permanent pot. Moisten the soil to settle it and create a sturdy base for the tree's root ball.
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Add 3-1-2 fertilizer, diluted in water, to the soil once a month during the summer growing season. The amount of fertilizer added to the soil depends on the intensity of light in which the tree grows. Trees grown in full sun in Hawaii require less dilution, with 4 parts fertilizer to 6 parts water, whereas indoor plants require 2 parts fertilizer to 8 parts water.
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Mist the tree often using cool water. Norfolk Island pines require high humidity to thrive, and although Hawaii provides this, the air is often very warm, which has a drying effect on the foliage. Misting the tree alleviates stress on the plant and prevents browning on the tips of the branches.
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Repot Norfolk Island pines every four years. Repotting should be done in the springtime to avoid stressing the plant.
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Tips & Warnings
Coffee diluted in water makes an excellent and inexpensive supplementary fertilizer for Norfolk Island pines.
Allow rain and tap water to sit for 24 hours to release any residual chemicals before watering or misting a Norfolk Island pine with it.
Only use cool water to water or mist Norfolk Island pines.
Do not prune Norfolk Island pines. Pruning or clipping causes stress to the plant and may cause it to drop branches.
