Worth knowing:
The Tasmanian Bluegum is not only appealing through its silver blue coloured leaves, but also because of the aromatic scent of its essential oil, the eucalyptus oil, that also keeps all pests away from the plant. Most characteristic in the Eucalyptus globulus are the hanging, long-shaped and thick-leathery secondary leaves. In contrast, the primary leaves are smaller and heart- or egg-shaped with a blue-green colour. In Australia, 65% of all planted trees are Tea Trees. The oil of the tree is mucolytic, mildly antispasmodic and antibacterial, and is widely used as remedy for coughs and sneezes as well as for rheumatic diseases. Australians also like to add the leaves to a cup of black tea to give it a better aroma. The Tasmanian Bluegum is a fast-growing and evergreen plant that can easily be cultivated in a pot or tub.
Natural Location:
The natural habitat of the Eucalyptus globulus is in Tasmania and the subtropical parts of Australia - in South and East Victoria and in southeastern New South Wales.
Cultivation:
Seed propagation indoors is possible throughout the year. To increase the germinability, you should keep the seeds sealed in a plastic bag in the regular refrigerator for about a week. After that, spread the seeds on moist potting compost, put just a little compost earth on top and cover the seed container with clear film to prevent the earth from drying out. Don’t forget to make some holes in the clear film and take it every second or third day completely off for about 2 hours. That way you avoid mold formation on your potting compost. Place the seed container somewhere bright and warm with a temperature between 20°C and 25° Celsius and keep the earth moist, but not wet. Usually it takes two to three weeks until germination.
Place:
The Tasmanian Bluegum can be kept in a bright and warm place indoors throughout the year. However, from April until September you may also keep your plant in a protected and sunny or full sunny spot outdoors.
Care:
The plant needs to be watered constantly and penetratingly with plenty of lime-deficient water, but avoid waterlogging. Ideally you may set up a drainage layer with clay granulate at the bottom of the pot. From April until September you can give fertilizer for tub plants as well - a four-weeks interval would be sufficient for that.
During the winter:
For hibernation, you can either keep your plant in your living rooms at room temperature or you can put it in a bright and cool place with a temperature around 10° Celsius. In late winter the tree can be pruned back to your own liking.
Picture credits:
- © © Forest & Kim Starr - CC-BY-SA-3.0 - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0
- © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © H. Zell - CC-BY-SA-3.0 - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0
- © Forest & Kim Starr - CC-BY-3.0 - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
- © Forest & Kim Starr - CC-BY-3.0 - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
- © Forest & Kim Starr - CC-BY-3.0 - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
- © Forest & Kim Starr - CC-BY-SA-3.0 - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0
- © - -
