Podocarpus macrophyllus or Chinese Podocarpus

Care of the tree Podocarpus macrophyllus or Chinese Podocarpus

The genus Podocarpus, family Podocarpaceae, comprises 100 species of trees and shrubs native to Asia, the Pacific, Central and South America, New Zealand, Australia and Africa. Some species are: Podocarpus macrophyllus, Podocarpus latifolius, Podocarpus henkelii, Podocarpus elongatus, Podocarpus dispermus, Podocarpus glaucus, Podocarpus grayae, Podocarpus neriifolius.

Common names: Chinese Podocarpus, Yew plum pine, Buddhist pine, Fern pine. This species is native to China and Japan.

They are evergreen conifers that reach 2 meters (6.56 feet) high in pot and 12 meters (39.37 feet) in the garden. The leaves are linear, 10 cm (3.93") long and deep green in color. The flowers, male and female, are not decorative.

They are used for bonsai, as indoor or terrace plants, as isolated specimens and in bushy groups.

Podocarpus macrophyllus prefers a semi-shady or well-lit (indoor) exposure without direct sun during the central hours of the day. It's better not to expose them to frost; They come to rest if the temperature is below 12 ºC (53.6 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture, in the same proportions, of coarse sand, peat and leaf mulch. Transplant in early spring if roots appear at the base of the pot.

Water regularly in spring, summer and autumn, waiting for the surface part of the substrate to dry (5 cm/1.96"). In winter reduce watering a lot but without eliminating it completely. If the summer is very hot, it's advisable to spray the leaves with lime-free water almost daily. They resist a few days of drought.

Fertilize every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer with mineral fertilizer.

They can be lightly pruned in late winter to keep them compact.

They can be attacked by fungi if there is excess watering and by mealybugs, aphids and mites in case of prolonged drought.

Propagation is not easy because cuttings do not always root and seeds can take 2 years to germinate.