Metrosideros, also known as the Pohutukawa or New Zealand Christmas Tree, makes a wonderful focal point for the garden. With its vibrant crimson flowers, glossy green leaves, and rugged bark, this iconic tree brings a touch of tropical paradise to any landscape.
Planting Calendar
Different varieties of Pohutukawa are usually available throughout the year, ready to plant.
Prepare
Position
Pohutukawa prefer a position in full sun, with free draining soil rich in organic matter. The dwarf variety Tahiti can be grown in a pot as well.
Soil
When planted into the ground Pohutukawa prefer a free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together well. When growing in containers, plant into Kings Container mix. This mix contains Saturaid, which helps with moisture retention in the soil.
Plant
When planting into the ground, gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the depth and width of the plant’s root ball. Mix Kings Compost into your existing soil at a 50/50 ratio, add Kings Sheep Pellets and Kings 24 plus fertiliser, then mix together. Backfill the hole with this soil, so that when planted the top of the plant’s roots sit level with the surrounding ground. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster. In heavier clay soils, where drainage is likely to be an issue, plant onto a raised mound and sprinkle Gypsum Clay Breaker into the bottom of the hole, this helps slowly condition the soil and help to break down the clay. When planting into containers plant into Kings Container Mix, as this has water retention crystals in it, which will help in keeping the soil moist.
Care
Watering
Watering is essential especially in the first year of planting to allow the roots to get well established. Water slowly, allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than just allowing it to run off the top of the surface of the soil.
Feeding
When planted in the ground liquid feed every month with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster, from Spring through to the end of Autumn, this encourages root growth and increases the microbial activity in the soil. Monthly applications of Kings Sheep Pellets will help with soil conditioning and plant health. If planted into a containers feed with Kings Liquid Fast Food along with monthly applications of Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster this encourages strong roots and a healthy immune system.
Protecting
Protect young plants from frost.
Mulching
Mulch around the base of the plants (making sure it is not in direct contact with the trunk) with Living Earth More than Mulch. Mulching helps to reduce weeds as well as aiding the soil to lock moisture in the ground.
Spraying
Pohutukawa are generally pest free.
Pruning
Prune only to maintain shape after flowering.
Beginner Tip
Pohutukawa have the ability to sprout root systems as and where needed. These adventitious roots form out of trunks and branches; and are able to grow in air over surfaces as they search for crevices, pockets of soil and moisture. This helps to anchor them to cliff faces in windy environments.
Expert Tip
Pohutukawa make a great coastal plants as its leaves are thick and leathery enabling it to grow in salty and windy conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The leaves on my tree have small round holes in it, what are they and what can I do?
The damage is caused by a native insect, a leaf miner weevil, called Neomycta rubida. The larvae of this weevil eat new leaves and the beetle (the adult stage) makes the holes in the leaves. I suggest sprinkling Neem granules around the base of the plant and spraying the tree with BioNeem.