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Turquoise Puya

 

Ribbon Tree

Carmichaelia sp.

 

Container size -- A pot of about 2 quarts in volume is perfect to start with.  If you're in a warmer climate, use a larger pot to keep the roots cooler.

 For soil, use a well draining mix.  Personally i use a mix of 1 part coir fiber to 1 part perlite (use fine- or medium-grade perlite, not coarse-grade).  An alternate mix is 2 parts potting soil to 1 part perlite.

Transplant tips -- Avoid disturbing the root-ball whenever you transplant.  Before removing your plant from its pot, give it a watering if the soil looks dry, so it doesn't break apart, which can damage the roots.

Watering -- Aim to keep the soil evenly moist. Don't let it dry out completely, but don't keep it constantly soggy either.  You may use a moisture meter to monitor the moisture levels down in the root zone.

Fertilizing -- Feed your plant about every 2 months during periods of active growth using a granular fertilizer that contains micronutrients (I use this).  Follow the dosage on the package.

Climate -- The Ribbon Tree's homeland of New Zealand has a mild climate, with moderate temperatures all year, and cool nights.  I have no information on how much heat the plant can take, but it's possible that it won't thrive if temperatures consistently get above 85 degrees F (29 degrees C), especially if nights are warm.  I don't know how much frost tolerance it has, since it does not freeze where i am.  To be safe, i would protect it from temperatures below 30 degrees F (-1 C).  It likes mostly-sunny conditions, although some afternoon shade may be needed in warmer climates. 

 Your plant was grown in filtered light, not direct sun, so it should be acclimated to direct sun slowly.  This will give your plant time to grow a larger root system, so it can handle more light.  So start your plant with either tree-filtered sunlight, or morning sun, then gradually give it more sun over a period of several weeks.

Pruning & shaping -- Pruning isn't necessary, but when it gets larger, you can remove any branches that you don't want.  Avoid removing too many at one time.

Bugs to watch for -- Watch for any pests that can affect your other plants.  Try using insecticidal soap before using stronger remedies, since some may harm the plant.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Enjoy your plant!

- Jeff

Strange Wonderful Things

 

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Turquoise Puya

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