The Podocarpus macrophyllus is a Arbre of the family of the Podocarpacée S (Conifère S), originating in the Far East, often cultivated like Tree ornamental.

It is also known under the name of “pine of the Buddhists” and, in particular in the Anglo-Saxon countries under its Japanese names of Kusamaki or Inumaki , It has beautiful needles of a major green, slightly round.

Scientific name: Podocarpus macrophyllus (Thunb.) Sweet (synonymous: Taxus macrophylla Thunb.).

Description

It is a Arbre with slow growth, of intermediate size (15 to 20 m in height) with persistent foliage.

The sheets, linear, round at the ends, have from 5 to 15 cm length on approximately 1 cm broad, coraices, of color green shining above, glaucescente, provided below with a well marked vein the main thing.

The ovoid cones carried Pa a short stalk have approximately 1 cm length, they are formed by 2 to 4 coalescent scales, of which one (sometimes two) is fertile carrying only one apical seed. With maturity, the scales inflate and take the aspect of a fleshy bay from 10 to 20 mm length of reddish color to crimson. The birds consume these fruits, thus contributing to the dispersion of seeds.

Surface of distribution

It is the most septentrional species of the kind Podocarpus . It is originating in the south of the Japan (Honshū, Kyūshū, islands Ryūkyū, Shikoku), of the south of the China and Taiwan.

Cultivated very in the past in Japan, this species was introduced in Europe in 1804 by William Kerr.

Use

Ornamental tree

The Podocarpus macrophyllus is cultivated like ornamental tree in the parks and gardens so much for its port than for its always green foliage It is popular particularly in Japan and in the South-east of the the United States.

The arilles surrounding the ripe cones are edible, although the seeds should not be consumed.

Culture of bonsai

• Exposure

In summer, an exposure outside is appropriate to him very well. With the help of one short period of acclimatization, it will support the full sun even perfectly. In winter, this species not supporting too the cold, to avoid exposing it to temperatures lower than 10  °C. To take care to ensure a abundant Luminosity to him who is essential for him to remain in good health.

• Repotting and substrate

To envisage a Repotting both to three years. To cut a good third of the bread racinaire by taking guard not to be eliminated too much from Nodules necessary to the assimilation of Nitrogen. For the Substrate to use Akadama. Failing this, to compose a substrate comprising 90  % of Pozzolana or Pumice and 10% of compost or barks of pines crushed.

• Maintenance

The podocarpus must be sprinkled in fine rain by the top. However, he appreciates a small period of dryness between the Arrosage S. He appreciates a quite wet atmosphere particularly. A saucer filled of gravels and water under its pot will make him large good by increasing the Hygrométrie slightly. In winter, if the podocarpus is inside, to place it near a small decorative fountain or of an aquarium, which will thus make it possible to raise the hygroscopy. The Fertilization with the pellets of organic Engrais to slow decomposition is very advantageous for him. Indeed the slow diffusion that it gets allows him a fertilization continues and compensates for thus the scrubbing of the substrate. The podocarpus is Persistant, however its growth is very slowed down during the cold season. Also, in winter, to strongly reduce the fertilization.

• Size and binding

To grip the Branch X when they reach ten centimetres and to fold back them to 2 cm with the top of a foliar insertion. The size of structure is practiced in winter. The podocarpus Binding all the year. To wait until the young branches are ripened before binding them. The bindings should not remain in place more than eight to ten weeks.

• Parasitic

This species is sensitive to the following parasites:

• Plant louse S
• yellow Spiders
• farinaceous Cochineals

• the styles

The podocarpus can be cultivated in several styles:

• Chokkan (vertical right)
• Shakan (leaning)
• Fukinagashi (slept by the wind)
• Sharimiki (barking)
• Néagari (apparent roots)

Symbolism

The Podocarpus macrophyllus is the tree-emblem of the Japanese province of Chiba, where it is known under the name of Kusamaki .

Sources

• Abcorpus n°3 by Alain Patiny under license FDL GNU

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