Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: Mark's Sussex Allotment on November 24, 2012, 10:18

Title: Monkey Puzzle Tree - Help
Post by: Mark's Sussex Allotment on November 24, 2012, 10:18
I bought a monkey puzzle tree seedling that's about 7 inches tall now, and the leaves are browning in quite a few places.

Should it be indoors, outdoors, direct sunlight, watered regularly?

I really don't want it to die, but need help :(
Title: Re: Monkey Puzzle Tree - Help
Post by: mumofstig on November 24, 2012, 10:40
It should be outside, think twice before planting it in your garden as it can grow up to 50m tall  :ohmy:
https://www.edenproject.com/visit-us/whats-here/plant-a-z/monkey-puzzle
Title: Re: Monkey Puzzle Tree - Help
Post by: spottymint on November 24, 2012, 18:24
As MOS say's, it needs to be outside, Chile is normally cold in higher altitudes where the tree naturally grows, so fully UK hardy.

Beware where you plant the tree, too many are planted in small gardens close to buildings, once in the ground, they are only going one way , straight up !

Huge trees, but magnificent trees at that.  :)
Title: Re: Monkey Puzzle Tree - Help
Post by: sunshineband on November 24, 2012, 18:26
We have one which I guess counts as a young bonsai by now.

It's about ten years old and about 18 in tall, in a 12 in pot

Outside all year round, gets watered when there has been no rain for a week or two and fed about twice a year with liquid plant food
Title: Re: Monkey Puzzle Tree - Help
Post by: solway cropper on November 25, 2012, 21:19
They are also quite sensitive to pollution which is why so many in parks and town gardens are almost bereft of foliage except for the top. In their natural habitat they clothed almost from the ground up. As a bonus the seeds are edible.
Title: Re: Monkey Puzzle Tree - Help
Post by: fatcat1955 on November 25, 2012, 22:08
If you have central heating then it is probably dry air around the plant. Try spraying with tepid water.
Title: Re: Monkey Puzzle Tree - Help
Post by: Paul Plots on December 13, 2012, 02:23
They are monsters!  Beautiful monsters.

We were given one by someone who wanted it re-homed. They planted it in their garden and had 2nd thoughts when it so quickly reached 12'.

A mechanical digger and lorry ride later we gave it a new home in the school's grounds. The tree survives at around 20' and still a baby - the school has gone.

Keep it cool, watered and away from buildings.
Enjoy!!