Re: monkey puzzle correction

i misspoke about the monkey puzzle tree [araucaria araucana--named, no doubt, by a stammering taxonomist]. like many others [some of whom i have scolded for not knowing better] my brain temporarily confused the monkey puzzle with it's close relative, the bunya-bunya [a. bidwillii]. it is unfortunate but true that the bunya-bunya is usually sold as the monkey puzzle tree--probably because it is either easier to grow or because seed are more readily available or because the name is catchier. in the north, bunya-bunya are grown and sold by many florist's shops as house plant curiosities. down here [and in much of california] they are planted outdoors, as is the third member of that tribe, the norfolk island pine [a. heterophylia]. the true monkey puzzle is somewhat rare in this country. the only one i know of is a huge old specimen on the proximate northwest corner of the capital grounds in california. if you ever get a chance to see it, you will immediately recognize the differences between it and the more common bunya-bunya.

sunset says the true monkey puzzle is the most cold hardy of the trio. it also says it is "possible, but not reliable" in peter's zone.

now, ain't that a trip?


At 05:07 PM 2/17/03 -0500, you wrote:
oh, well, monkey puzzle cuttings. the only two, maybe three, persons i've known that have successfully propagated monkey puzzle trees have done it from seed. and the trees do not readily produce seed, it seems. one of the local nurseries here, for example, has a mature tree staked out on a rather posh key and when he sees it has produced cones, he knocks on the door, hat in hand, and offers to buy them.


At 11:59 AM 2/17/03 -0500, you wrote:
Josh, just catching up are you? :+)
No, no replies on this qstn, but I suppose I can live without knowing.
The question about this term was in regard to Monkey Puzzle cuttings.


Kitty

-------Original Message-------
From: Josh Haskell <haskell@ncweb.com>
Sent: 02/17/03 01:29 PM
To: gardenchat@hort.net
Subject: Re: [CHAT] Hort term

>
> Kitty,

          I'm with you on this one; I know there is a term for this, but I
can't come up with it either.  Have you had any answers?  We talked about
it
in a class or seminar a year or so ago, but I can't remember the plant
involved.

                                                                    Josh


----- Original Message -----
From: "Kitty Morrissy" <kmrsy@earthlink.net>
To: <Master_Gardeners@yahoogroups.com>; "Agardenchat"
<gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2003 9:49 AM
Subject: [CHAT] Hort term


> Can anyone help me with this term? "some trees need a leader for a
> cutting if you want a tree, otherwise a branch just keeps growing like a
> branch.  Can't remember the name for this phenomenon" Kitty
>
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If you have weeds, you don't have enough plants.

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