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The glorious New Zealand Christmas Tree Metrosideros excelsa is a democratic industrial plant in its aboriginal New Zealand , hence its common name .
The attractive plant stands out when it blooms during Christmas time ( December ) due to its red blossom with long stamen against the background of leathery greenish leaf .
New Zealand Christmas Tree Metrosideros excelsa
Most mass call it the ‘ Christmas Tree . ’ It ’s related tored flower bottle brush treesandLeptospermum Scoparium(New Zealand Tea Tree ) to the Myrtaceae household of plant .
In the wild , it can reach over 80′ feet tall . Luckily , it typically only gets to about 10′ feet when get in container outside its aboriginal region .
Federal Reserve note : Metrosideros excelsa tree diagram handles drought and saltiness spray conditions .
Metrosideros Excelsa Quick Care Tips
For a brighter holiday , learn how to manage for theNew Zealand Christmas Tree .
Caring For The New Zealand Christmas Tree
Size and Growth
The fast - growing New Zealand Christmas Tree can reach tremendous superlative in its native home ground . While it ’s technically a shrub , the 80 - metrical unit height makes it more of a tree .
When grown in a container , 7′ to 10′ feet is the average height . The plant produces green foliage , and the rounded leaves have a soft , fuzzy covering .
It also tends to train aery root on its lower branch .
Flowering and Fragrance
To match the green foliage , the Metrosideros excelsa plant produces bright red flowers in the recent spring and early summertime .
Red and immature are traditional Christmas colors , and the vacation state during the summertime in the Southern Hemisphere .
In the Western hemisphere , the blood-red flowers still come in the summer . The red bloom appear in clustering from 2 to 4 - inch stamen . These clusters often reach up to 6″ inch in diameter .
While they do n’t produce a scent , they produce a lovely show , making it easy to see why this plant is so democratic in its native country .
Light and Temperature
This evergreen plant , wide - spreading tree can farm outdoors in USDA hardiness zona 8 to 11 . Due to the likely height of the works , potted outgrowth is still recommended .
It prefer warmer temperatures in the summer and slightly cooler temperatures in the wintertime .
It also enjoys piles of sunlight but does n’t require full sun . It can survive in fond shade if the temperatures do n’t get too hot .
If possible , move the works out of doors during the summer , even in slimly cooler mood . It does n’t like blistering temperatures in unsympathetic environment .
The out-of-door air is good for the flora and provides better sunshine accession .
In the wintertime , ensure that it does n’t immobilize . Move pot plants indoors , sooner in a room kept in the mid-60s .
Watering and Feeding
The Christmas Tree need regular lachrymation during the summertime . If kept alfresco , it may even necessitate piddle every Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
When the temperatures start to drop in the downslope , begin reducing the watering frequency . In the winter , piss as ask when the soil is nearly teetotal .
Overwatering or underwatering during this period will admonish the output of healthy bud and peak the following year .
smooth fertilizer may be used during the summertime to elevate hefty development .
Soil and Transplanting
Regular potting stain is all right for the New Zealand Christmas Tree . It only needs repotting when it outgrows its container . Wait until the root begin to agitate their way out of the passel .
Maintenance and Grooming
Grooming is only needed to manage the development of the plant . To keep it from growing too tall or too panoptic , trim back the arm in the spring .
How to Propagate Pohutukawa (Metrosideros)
Propagation is potential with stem cut . The cut should be taken in the spring using the next footstep :
The unseasoned plant are often hardy , as the New Zealand Christmas Tree grows quickly . In fact , the youthful plants may bloom the following year .
Metrosideros Pests or Diseases
Like most plants , it ’s important to pay attention to signs of plague . mealybug , scale insects , aphids , and whiteflies may seek to make a domicile out of the plant .
grapple with these pests immediately to foreclose hard infestations . Typically , the insects can be removed by hand using a textile or spray .
If this does n’t forge , use an insect powder before the infestation get out of control .
Suggested Metrosideros Excelsa Uses
Due to the height of the plant , the New Zealand Christmas Tree is best suited for life in a orotund grass .
Moreover , this plant is often develop as ornamental or implant as a street tree near a sidewalk or lawn tree diagram .
Metrosideros Excelsa also adds value to any property because of its dazzling appearance .
When container - grown , ensure to move the pot outside in the summer and indoors during the winter .
