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Some time ago I was in the lobby of a retirement home and I couldn't help but notice their beautiful Norfolk Island pine. Then I went home and looked at mine. Some of the branches have fallen off, while the branches that were left have brown tips. It sort of looks like it had gone through one of those California brush fires. Then I remembered Deb Brown saying that while they are not the easiest houseplants to grow, they will if they have the proper environment.

It really wasn't much comfort for me to hear that, since I imagine it's that way for most plants.

Despite its name, the Norfork Island pine is not a pine. Although they are used as landscape plants in southern Florida and California, they are not native to North America. Instead, they belong to the Araucaria family. These are tropical and sub-tropical conifers in the southern hemisphere. Here they are exposed to abundant moisture and sunlight, so they can grow well over 200 feet tall.

Since they have no frost tolerance, they are grown indoors in our area. However, they can easily tolerate lower temperatures, like our house.

Norfolk Island pines grow best in a bright, sunny location. Intense sunlight can cause them to have a faded yellow-green appearance. If this happens, pull them back a foot or two from south or west windows, especially during the summer when the light is strongest and most plentiful.

They can adapt to survive many years of lower light, but eventually their form will suffer under less than optimal conditions and plants stretch and become spindly. Older branches may take on an unattractive droopy appearance and there will be more stem space between one year's growth of new branches and the next. They typically put out one tier of new branches annually. If the plant isn't rotated regularly, it loses its symmetry and grows toward the light.

Two of the most common problems these plants face indoors are browning needles and droopy lower branches. This usually can be attributed to hot, dry air, low humidity or allowing the soil to dry excessively between watering. Too much fertilizer also can contribute to needle drop and branch loss.

This time of year, ideal night temperatures for Norfork Island pines range from 50 to 60 degrees, with a daytime temperature of only about five degrees higher. Spring and summer temperatures may be higher, because there is plenty of light to support more active growth.

While you can lower the temperature it is almost impossible to have the humidity high enough for the Norfork and still be healthy for people. So, you can compensate for lack of humidity by careful watering. Keep the soil moist but not saturated. Water the plant thoroughly, but siphon off any excess moisture left in the container tray. In the winter when the temperature is lower the plant can be somewhat drier between watering.

Since they are slow growing, they need to be repotted every three to five years. Use fresh potting soil that drains well, yet contains a reasonable amount of organic matter, such as peat moss. Keeping the plants root system a bit confined may help keep the plant smaller for a time.

During spring, summer, and early autumn fertilize them with a dilute houseplant fertilizer every few weeks. Use a product meant especially for acid-loving plants, mixed half-strength. You shouldn't have to fertilize new plants, purchased for the holidays, until late February or early March.

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VOICE MAIL: You can leave a question for a volunteer Master Gardener at 651-674-4417. Depending on the volume of calls, they try to respond within a couple of days. During office hours ask for the Master Gardener voicemail, after hours, select ext. 18. You can also get your question answered on the web at: www.extension.umn. edu/askmg.

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The Chisago County Extension Office will be moving Monday, December 3 to share office space with Veterans Service Officer in the Uptown Maple Commons county offices, at 38794 6th Avenue, in North Branch. Our new phone number will be 651-213-5430.

Information on our spring events, including the plant sale will be posted on our website as plans are firmed up www.extension.umn. edu/county/chisago/mg.

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