Baby Blue Eucalyptus pulverulenta (florist silver dollar) is a type of form 700 species of eucalyptus. It has beautifully rounded blue-green leaves with a specific property of remaining its juvenile foliage till maturity. It is a small tree that spreads rapidly and is invasive. It complements the beauty of both inside and outside the house with its beautiful leaves and creamy white flowers in fall and spring with a striking scent. The leaves and flowers are coated with a white waxy powder allowing it to last long if kept in a vase.
Characteristics of baby blue eucalyptus
- It is native to Australia
- Prunable and hence be controlled
- Drought resistant
- Deer resistant
- Toxic to people and pets
- Flourishes in slightly acidic, well-draining soil with a lot of exposure to the sun
- Can thrive for many years ,10 to 20 longer
How to Propagate baby blue eucalyptus
Most people use seeds as growing eucalyptus from cutting is hard but if growing form cutting take from young ones and not in winter when the plant is dominant.
- To cut the 4 inch stem tip use sharp pruners.
- Bottom leaves shall be removed leaving only one or two sets at the top
- Dip the cut in rooting hormone.
- Plant in a container with well-drained potting mix
- Cover the container with plastic to lock in the moisture
- Keep them at 70degree F and provide half a day of light, artificial fluorescent tubes can be used.
Learn how to grow baby blue eucalyptus
Sow eucalyptus seeds indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the estimated last frost date i.e. last day of winter which can be estimated by looking into the previous year.
- For the container make sure it has drainage holes and fill it with a seed-starting oil.
- Moisten the soil till its is damp but not soaked
- Sow the seed in the soil and gently press it inside before covering it with soil.
- Temperature shall be maintained at 65 and 75 degrees F during the day and night. Use a mister to water seed trays so the roots remain in place and are not disturbed. Plastic can also be used to retain moisture.
- They are slow to germinate and can use a heating pad, the seedling may appear at 14 to 21 days or longer. Remove the plastic as soon as it emerges.
- Seedlings need light for 14 to 16 hours per day.
- Use fluorescent lighting if criteria is not met preferably 3 to 4 inches above them.
- When the first true leave emerge transfer them to a pot of 3 to 4 inch.
- One week before the transplant, begin hardening of seeds , make them used to outdoor conditions gradually.
Care
Great coastal landscapes as drought resistant, great tolerance to salt and wind.
Hardy in zones 9-11 (coastal and tropical south) and zone 8 (lower south)
In places with mild winters, they are often used as trees in the garden for their bushy appearance but in colder places, they are planted indoors or grown annually from spring-planted seedlings.
- They need sun at least 6 hours daily and a well-draining soil
- Don’t disturb the roots while planting to retain moisture.
- To establish deep roots water young plants regularly.
- Cool winters and low humidity are appropriate
- For outdoors no fertilizer is needed unless poor soil is used then add
- Avoid new growth in fall to prevent damage from cold
- Late freezes can damage the new tender growth
Common Problems and Diseases
- Psyllids affect these plants and leaves a white honeydew, insecticidal soaps can control this for small plants.
- In humid powdery mildew may grow on the foliage which can be prevented by a good air circulation.
- Root rot can happen if plants are overwatered, leaf spots and cankers can also occur.
- For prevention disinfect the pruners when cutting disease stems, use fungicide
Crispy and curling leaves can happen to a container or newly transplanted plants due to the availability of less water in initial growing periods.
Dropping- the plant sheds leaves during dry spells so ensure adequate watering if potted in containers and remove the shredded leaves to prevent any fire hazards.
Plants that Grow in Water: A No-Fuss Way to Grow Houseplants
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs):-
Q1. How long and big does baby blue eucalyptus get?
Ans. It Grows up to 12-30ft tall and 12-50 ft wide
Q2. How fast does baby blue eucalyptus grow?
Ans. It grows fast – several feet in a single growing season at optimal conditions
Q3. Does baby blue eucalyptus smell?
Ans. yes , it leaves a fragrant smell.
Q4. Can baby blue eucalyptus grow inside?
Ans. Yes it can be grown in a pot inside or outside too ,some conditions provided and plant height can change .