Correcting issues like water, humidity and fertilizer will probably take care of the situation. Often given to be used as a small Christmas tree, these wonderful little trees can brighten your home long after the holidays end. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. But these plants make first rate container plants all year long. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. However, in the southern hemisphere, members of the Araucariaceae family continued to thrive. Bottom branches sagging and turning yellow. @Janet Carroll-Boudreau You're welcome, Best of luck! Norfolk Island pines are tropical plants, so they can only be planted outside in tropical climates. How can I get our yellow stain from dog urine on a beige comforter? They would burn up in direct sunlight, so a few hours of late afternoon filtered light seems to keep them happy. What could they be? All info simple and straightforward. Norfolk Island Pine. You can fertilize your Norfolk pine in the spring and summer with a water soluble balanced fertilizer, but you do not need to fertilize in the fall or winter. ... Pruning . I bring them in before night time temperatures get below 45-50 degrees. Can a Norfolk Island pine be planted outside? Pruning a Norfolk Island Pine - I have had a small Norfolk Island Pine for over a year and it is determined to grow. Check online for Norfolk Pines, care and upkeep for them. Stick the cuttings in a container filled with moist potting mix. Am only wanting it to grow one or two feet taller. Pruning . Overwatering is not the answer; Norfolk Island pines don't appreciate being too wet. Can I cut off a few feet at the top to make it fit? Pruning Norfolk Island pines typically grow upright with a naturally symmetrical form. Norfolk Island pines need lots of indirect sunlight. While Norfolk Island pine trees can tolerate temperatures just below freezing, anything colder may kill them. How do I know if I need to take down the tree completely? If you do have to move the tree, move it very carefully, and only short distances at a time. Other great locations for a Norfolk Island pine include sunrooms and covered patios. As Norfolk pine grows upward, the trunk thickens and the pine limbs increase in size. It is very pretty and I am hoping to keep it for several, "I sure was able to confirm that I actually am doing several things right; but I also learned a lot of new info. Norfolk Island pines are not true pines; they are members of a pre-historic family of conifers Araucariaceae, an incredibly diverse and widespread plant family during the Jurassic and Cretaceous time periods. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? The most thorough site we, "I learned that I cannot let my Norfolk Island Pine outside for the winter, even with our mild winters here in South, "Validated what I thought about dry needles. What do I do if most of the branches are gone or damaged on my norfolk pine? If it’s upper branches that are curling, suspect either dry soil or spider mites. ", for the information on how to grow a happy, healthy pine. Also, when things do go wrong I'll know what to do now. Today there are three genera—Agathis, Arucaria, and Wollemia—with a combined total of 41 species. You may need to think carefully about cutting it, since it would remove its natural growth shape. They adjust well to life indoors. You can get rid of mites by mixing a little liquid dish soap in a spray bottle of water and spraying the plant thoroughly every week for a month. Hope I can save it! Over time, a new sprout may emerge from the trunk where you made the cut but that will be easy to remove as well. Cut a tender shoot that is a little longer than your palm, remove the lower leaves, then dip the cut end in rooting compound. What do I do if my Norfolk Pine has some branches that are drooping and becoming brittle? By using our site, you agree to our. Cut the branch where the color change starts; this may involve cutting the entire branch off. We appreciate it very much! Try increasing the humidity by misting the tree with non-chlorinated water a couple times a day. ", "Great information! The tree currently stands 10-12 metres tall. Must I give away something I've nurtured for so long to someone with a higher ceiling or can I cut or re-direct the top? unlocking this expert answer. Christmas is the big season for Norfolk Island pines, those cute little houseplants that look like small potted pine trees, with beautiful, scaly branches and scale-like leaves.But these plants make first rate container plants all year long. If it is spring, it may be the new growth that is showing. In the wild, these trees can grow to 200 feet (61 m). Ours had the brown dried branches, too; maybe it's normal. I noticed it was really, "I just received my Norfolk Island Pine, and I am looking forward to seeing it grow into a beautiful tree. Is it OK to cut the burned tips off without damaging the tree? Be sure you have the room for a 60 to 80 foot mature tree. If you cannot provide the tree with enough natural light, consider using a full-spectrum bulb that's designed for plants. If you feel resistance, remove the plastic covering. My tree is not doing well, and as I searched for help, you were there with much I, "I had general questions about the Norfolk pine since I have two large potted trees. It's so darn cute! ", drooping; otherwise, everything else I am doing for it is what they are telling for me to do. Gave me new info regarding indirect sunlight. Propagate your little tree by rooting soft cuttings. Check the drainage holes in the container to make sure the Norfolk pine isn’t sitting with “wet feet.” Too little water or humidity can also cause the foliage to turn yellow and then brown. For tips on how to troubleshoot potential problems with your Norfolk pine, keep reading the advice of our Horticulturist reviewer! You can increase humidity by putting a basin of water filled with pebbles below your plant. Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is a popular houseplant gift during the holidays. Limit the size of the tree by restricting its pot size and possibly root pruning it. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008. This is a rather common problem with these little trees. I will re-pot it this summer and see if it has a growth spurt!! I realized from this article that it was due to lack of, "Thank you for the information. This mature Norfolk Island pine in a New Zealand park is so tall, the people standing next to tree look like ants. Support wikiHow by Unfortunately, pruning is not an option when it comes to controlling the growth of this plant… How to clean Barbecue stainless steel grill grates without chemicals? 10. Too much water or too little water can cause yellow tips on your plant. When you find the spot in your house with the right light for your plant, don't forget to turn the plant every week or so to keep it growing straight and upright. In normal outdoor growing conditions, natural rainfall meets most of the tree's water needs. These plants are not considered poisonous but if a child or pet eats the pine needles it will cause severe stomach problems. Norfolk Island pine trees regularly lose lower branches or branch tips, have a gardening question, get a gardening answer, Pressing Flowers: Bringing The Outdoors In Year Round, Halloween In The Garden: When Plants Become Dormant For Winter, Haunted Houseplants – Top Houseplants For Halloween.