How do I start Podocarpus?

Propagate podocarpus by taking a softwood cutting from new growth and keeping it moist until it grows roots.

Wait until June or July to take the cutting from a podocarpus.
Wait until early morning, when the stems are moist and firm.
Pull off all but the uppermost two leaves on the podocarpus cutting and discard them.

Besides, how do you shape Podocarpus?

Trim the green tips of the podocarpus to shape the tree or encourage fullness. Prune the outermost growth very lightly to create hedges. Act in July or August to experience a second flush of growth. Avoid shearing the branches of this tree in any season.

One may also ask, how quickly does Podocarpus grow? Podocarpus gracilior, or fern pine, can reach 60' in old age, but grows very slowly (less than 6" per year).

Thereof, how often do you water Podocarpus?

Keep the soil moist but not soggy; allow the top two inches to dry out before watering. Brown leaf tips or gray needles. indicate over- watering. Feed a Podocarpus every two weeks in the spring and summer when it is actively growing.

How do you make Podocarpus grow faster?

Podocarpus can go without bright or direct light for long stretches but will grow taller and faster under the bright light of the sun. Like any plant, they do need regular watering, though they can stand long periods with no water, especially if the soil is particularly dense.

37 Related Question Answers Found

When should you trim Podocarpus?

Time to Prune

Pruning Podocarpus in the summer encourages secondary growth that is as attractive as new spring growth. Although you might be cutting out its attractive red or purple fruits, pruning in late summer through October might give you a better flush of new growth the following spring.

Why do Podocarpus turn brown?

They can suffer from root rot if the soil is kept too wet, though. This might be the case if you watered more often than once a week or if they are near a lawn or flower bed that is watered frequently. Symptoms of root rot are browning foliage.

What is the best fertilizer for Podocarpus?

You can use any general purpose garden fertilizer for your podocarpus. The formulas are usually 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. Even though you have not specifically fed your hedge, it is probably getting nutrients from the soil and benefitting from whatever you feed your lawn if it is in close proximity to your turf.

Is Podocarpus drought tolerant?

Podocarpus is very low maintenance once established. Practically pest free and can take light shade or direct light conditions. Although podocarpus can be very drought tolerant when sited well, these shrubs generally look better when they get some dry season water. See bottom photo - this fern pine needs some water!

Does Podocarpus have invasive roots?

Podocarpus macrophyllus (yew podocarpus) is a slow growing 40-50? An added advantage, Podocarpus has non-invasive roots so it can be planted close to a sidewalk, and appears to resist wind damage. It will grow on a range of moist but free draining soils, preferring those that are slightly acidic.

How far apart do you plant Podocarpus?

Plant spacing

Place these shrubs 3 feet apart. Come away from the house 2-1/2 or 3 feet. Along a walk or driveway, come in 4 to 5 feet to allow for mature size.

Can Podocarpus grow in pots?

Podocarpus growing in pots appreciate a moist but well-drained soil. You can also add 10-20% pumice or Perlite to the soil mixture to enhance drainage. Also make sure to choose a container that is large enough to allow for 2 to 3 years of growth before shifting up to a larger size container.

How do you transplant Podocarpus?

Make the move by digging around the podocarpus to shape the root ball. A ball of soil about 18 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep should be adequate to contain the roots. Do make sure the soil is moist when you dig. Move the plant to its new home in the sun and keep the soil moist.

Is Podocarpus a tree or a shrub?

Podocarpus (/ˌpo?d?ˈk?ːrp?s/) is a genus of conifers, the most numerous and widely distributed of the podocarp family, Podocarpaceae. Podocarpus are evergreen shrubs or trees, usually from 1 to 25 metres (3 to 82 ft) tall, known to reach 40 metres (130 ft) at times.

Can a brown evergreen come back?

Whether needled or broadleafed, both evergreen trees and shrubs can look sickly and brown in spring, especially after a particularly cold or dry winter. Though there may be some branch loss, most brown evergreens do come back as spring progresses.

Can you grow Podocarpus from cuttings?

Podocarpus is easily propagated from cuttings taken in late summer or early fall. Dip in Rootone F or in Dip'N'Grow and root in a cold frame or under glass. Cuttings root slowly.

What does a Podocarpus tree look like?

in height with an upright, slightly pyramidal form and finely textured, slender evergreen leaves that are very resistant to deer damage. The fruits are very decorative, with blue female cones that develop into fleshy purple to pink elongated berries.

Why is my hedge going brown?

Improper environmental conditions increase plant stress, causing the hedge to turn brown and stand out. Determine the underlying problem responsible for browning foliage and correct it immediately so the plant regains its natural color.

Why are my yews turning yellow?

If your yew is planted in soil with low nitrogen, its yellowing may be caused by a nitrogen deficiency. A lack of magnesium in the soil may lead to a magnesium deficiency, which causes older leaves of the yew shrub to turn yellow, mostly along the edges of the foliage.

How tall is a 15 gallon Podocarpus?

This evergreen shrub grows to a height of 15-20 ft. tall and about 10 ft. wide, but can be kept much shorter with pruning.

How do you fertilize yews?

Sprinkle a high-nitrogen fertilizer, such as 16-8-8, around the base of an evergreen yew, starting about 4 inches from the trunk. The numbers indicate the percentages indicate the percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the product. Spread it evenly so it covers the entire area under the canopy.

Is Podocarpus messy?

The inconspicuous flowers are followed by fleshy, purple, small, edible fruits (very good to eat) on female trees which are quite attractive to birds but not really messy on sidewalks or pavement. Leaves are recurved, unlike the straight leaves on the species. Scientific name: Podocarpus macrophyllus var.