{"product_id":"podocarpus-macrophyllus-5-pot","title":"Podocarpus Macrophyllus - 5\" Pot","description":"\u003cp\u003ePodocarpus macrophyllus, popularly called Buddhist Pine or Yew Plum Pine, is a slow-growing evergreen conifer native to China and Japan and belonging to the family Podocarpaceae. It carries densely arranged, long, narrow, leathery leaves that are deep glossy green above, giving the plant a soft, feathery yet formal look that responds beautifully to clipping.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Indian gardens and nurseries it is valued as an extremely versatile ornamental. Its naturally upright, columnar habit and tolerance of hard pruning make it a favourite for tall privacy hedges, topiary cones and spirals, foundation screens and patio container plants. Its dense fibrous roots and slow growth also make it one of the most reliable conifers for bonsai.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt adapts well across much of India, thriving in the milder hill and coastal climates and tolerating the heat of the plains when given some afternoon shade and regular watering. Mature plants are wind-firm, long-lived and largely pest-free, rewarding patient growers with a handsome, low-maintenance evergreen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePodocarpaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChina and Japan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIn the ground 6-12 m over many years; usually kept 1-3 m in pots and hedges\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.5-4 m; easily restricted by clipping\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen; long, narrow, leathery, glossy dark-green spirally arranged leaves\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInconspicuous; non-showy (cones)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpring (not grown for flowers)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubtropical to warm-temperate; suits Indian hills, coast and plains with care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to partial shade; in hot plains give bright light with some afternoon shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKeep soil evenly moist; water when the top 2-3 cm dries. Avoid waterlogging; reduce in winter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRich, well-drained loamy soil; for pots use loam with compost and sand\/perlite. Slightly acidic to neutral preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComfortable around 15-32 C; tolerates brief heat with shade and mild cold above roughly 0 C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdapts to average humidity; appreciates moderate to high humidity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeed monthly in growing season (spring-monsoon) with a balanced fertilizer; lighter feeding in winter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTolerates hard, repeated clipping; trim to shape for hedges, topiary and bonsai mainly after the spring flush\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRepot container plants every 2-3 years in spring; bonsai every 2-4 years, root-pruning lightly\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMainly by semi-hardwood cuttings; also from seed, which is slow to germinate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally hardy; occasional scale, mealybugs, aphids and sooty mould. Watch root rot in soggy soil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe fleshy fruit stalk (aril) is edible when ripe, but the seed and leaves are reported toxic if eaten; keep fruit and seeds away from children and pets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;ul\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Tall, formal privacy hedges and green boundary screens\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Topiary cones, spirals and clipped specimens for entrances and avenues\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Container and patio plant for balconies, terraces and courtyards\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;One of the most popular and forgiving conifers for bonsai\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Evergreen foundation and screen planting in gardens and commercial landscapes\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;\/ul\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;In the hot Indian plains, position young plants in bright light with protection from harsh afternoon sun, and mulch the root zone to keep it cool and moist through summer.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;Step up watering during peak summer (April-June) and feed monthly through the spring and monsoon growing season. Do major shaping and hedge trimming after the spring flush, and ease off feeding and watering in winter. Ensure pots and beds drain freely, as standing water during the monsoon is the main cause of root problems.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs Podocarpus macrophyllus a good plant for hedges and topiary in India?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Its dense, upright growth and tolerance of repeated hard clipping make it one of the best evergreen conifers for formal hedges, screens, cones and spiral topiary in Indian gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan Buddhist Pine be grown as a bonsai?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAbsolutely. Its slow growth, small leaves, fibrous roots and tolerance of pruning and wiring make Podocarpus macrophyllus a popular, forgiving choice for both beginner and advanced bonsai.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow much sun and water does it need in Indian conditions?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt does well in full sun to partial shade; in the hot plains give bright light with some afternoon shade. Keep the soil evenly moist, watering when the top 2-3 cm dries, and never let it sit waterlogged.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51049089401078,"sku":"PLT-PODOCARPUSMA-P05-NA","price":40.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/nurserylive-g-podocarpus-macrophyllus-buddhist-pine-fern-pine-plant-257072.jpg?v=1782711835","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/podocarpus-macrophyllus-5-pot","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}