Source for Wollemi Pine

16 years ago

Hello, I have been looking for an online or local source for a Wollemi Pine with no luck.

The site http://www.ancientpine.com does not seem to be active anymore and cannot find anything else around.

If anyone has any information on where I can get a Wollemi Pine either online or locally around the Philly/New York area, I would appreciate it.

Thanks

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salicaceae

15 years ago

There is a long story about the fiasco that rsulted from the first attempt to introduce and market the plant back in 2006 (too long for me to recount now). It was available from numeorus sources for a while. However, one of the major problems has been that it is EXTREMELY susceptible to Phytophthora root rot (presumably). Countless individuals throughout the east and especially southeastern U.S. have died. This includes specimens at top-notch botanical institutions and in many different conditions. Here, we can grow them in pots - but they are slow and sometimes also die suddenly. Almost always, if you inspect the roots - they are often rotted away. This was evident with the first ones I ordered from NG back in 06. I repotted them in better media and treated them with a fungicide. They eventually grew, but during the wet, humid summer - diseases crept up again. I am going to try grafting onto Agathis robusta this winter to see if that will make them easier to grow. Apparently this is now being done in the more tropical part of Australia where they also die quickly. I still have 4 potted specimens here that I will use for scions.

My impression has been that this plant will only really succeed outside in California and similar Mediterranean climates - much like many other native Australian plants. Reports of their success in DC and similar places are likely only temporary as they aren't overly tolerant of cold temps. esp. continental cold outbreaks that occur every 25 years or so. You will also hear of them being grown successfully in Western Europe in maritime climates. Again, if exposed to real cold (below -20 C) they will likely die out. That's my 2c.

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Comments (10)

georgeinbandonoregon
16 years ago
www.jurassicplantsnursery.com apparently has them for sale---but they are expensive (199.00). plantdelights nursery has sold them but they are currently out of stock.
scross4
Original Author
16 years ago
Yeah, talked to Jurrasic Plants and they can not ship to the US. Plant Delights told me that they are not going to offer it again due to lack of interest.

Thanks

Any other ideas?
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dirtslinger2
16 years ago
Good luck, as they make an excellent house plant too. Every once in awhile they show up at garden centers, ranging from $60-120.
NoVaPlantGuy_Z7b_8a
15 years ago
Ive been searching for one of these now too, for almost 5 years with no luck. Not sure why some places like plant delights would not special order something like this for those that want it. They still are going to make money on it. Ideally I would like to buy one where my money went to conservation efforts though. If anyone knows of any places we can by them, please let us know. Ive
fhollingshead
15 years ago
Cycad Center at 760-723-8092 cycadcenter@msn.com has multiple sizes starting at 1 gal for approx $50. They ship and they grow their own in Australia. I've spoken to Bruce during the whole Birkdale Nursery trademark debacle and he seemed a cool dude. He didn't have any in stock when I needed one so I bought mine from Nat Geo; it's growing well here in Berkeley. Apparently they've done well into the teens Farenheit temps. BTW their website www.cycadcenter.com isn't currently working; they're fixing it. Hope this helps.

bluekauri
cryptomeria
15 years ago
I have two Wollemias outside and this is the second winter in the Northern of Germany. But last winter there was very much snow. So I cannot say much about hardiness. -15Ã¯Â¿Â½C last winter was the deepest and both are still alive.
In Germany is no problem to buy Wollemias every time.

Wolfgang
NoVaPlantGuy_Z7b_8a
15 years ago
thanks for all the great info! Ill give cycadcenter a call and see what they say. Hopefully I can get ahold of one finally and give it a try. I think I would only try it as a potted specimen here. Our summers are very hot and humid, and winters are mild to cold and run from humid to very dry. Im a zone 8a or warm 7b here where I am. I know there are a few around here that are outdoors that so far have been ok. There is one at the US Botanic Garden though it is in a greenhouse. I have a good sized sunroom where I have lots of things successfully growing. I keep the humidity in the winter around 50% in here. Occasionally it will dip to 30% or rise to 60%. The room does fluxuate in temps about 5-7 degrees or so between day and night, especially during winter, but gets full sun all day long in most of it. I'm not really looking for a yard specimen anyway here. A container that can be moved around is best for me for this particular tree.
Paul
11 years ago
There are a few available for sale on eBay.
Nathan Woodring
5 years ago
I have 5 trees from ones i purchased years ago.