House Plants/False Aralia

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Expert: Darlene K. Kittle - 11/8/2009


Question

False Aralia
I planted a seed given to my about 10 months ago (outside on patio in Tampa, FL) and the attached image is the result.  I have been told the tree is a false aralia bamboo tree.  I have been unable to find anything to match it online.  I would like to know if it is an aralia and also what type of maintenance, trimming, etc. to maintain the plant.

Answer
Douglas,

It is not a bamboo, it is a "False Aralia" or Aralia elegantissima/Dizygortheca elegantissima.
It is native to Australasia. If you go to Google and put in False Aralia then click on images at the top you will find pictures of your plant. Here is a link to those:

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=false%20aralia&rlz=1R2GGLL_en&...

This graceful plant performs best in very bright indirect light or full sun. In any light, its soil must dry to the touch between thorough soaking waterings. It prefers high humidity (achieved with spray misting or Florida humidity outdoors.) Indoors they can be more difficult. Maximum height is approximately six feet. Fertilize in the spring & summer months (March through October) when tree is actively growing. Propagate with stem cuttings (dipped in a rooting hormone) or air-layering (on woody stems) in the spring.

Grown in full sun, the leaves take on a very attractive dark-purple hue. When this aralia reaches five feet or so, the delicate leaf – 'fingers' become larger & broader to most interesting effect. They are very easy to root from cuttings using rooting hormone and it makes a very interesting bonsai speciman plant. I am growing one as a bonsai. You can prune it to any height you prefer. If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene  

Darlene K. Kittle

Expertise

I have been a Master Gardener for 23 years and I raise around 300 houseplants and bonsai trees a year including tropicals, succulents, and cacti.

Experience

She is also studying the Japanese art of bonsai with tropical plants and is President of the Fort Wayne, IN Bonsai Club.

Organizations
Fort Wayne, iN Master Gardeners. President of the Fort Wayne Bonsai Club. Allen County Master Gardeners

Education/Credentials
I am not a hortculturist. I am a Purdue University Master Gardener for 23 years. I have studied plants on a personal level by growing hundreds of plants annually for the last 35 years. I have also studied under several nationally known American Bonsai experts.

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