Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

The tea tree is an evergreen plant.

The tea tree is a plant that can be used to decorate small gardens. Although more than a tree it is a small tree or large bush, I could not stop talking about it on this website, since its height once it reaches adulthood is 5 meters and it gives a lot of shade.

In addition, it is highly recommended to plant it in those gardens where it rains little and/or where the soil is poor in nutrients, since it adapts very well to living in those places.

Origin and characteristics of the tea tree

Melaleuca alternifolia is a perennial tree

Image - Wikimedia / Tangopaso

The tea tree, whose scientific name is Melaleuca alternifolia, is a species belonging to the Myrtaceae family. It is originally from Australia, to be more exact from New South Wales. It grows a maximum of 5 meters, and tends to branch from the base, although this can be controlled very easily if the shoots that appear are removed.

The cup takes on a rounded and wide shape, and has linear leaves about 35 millimeters long by 1 millimeter wide, and they are very aromatic. Flowers bloom in spring. They are white in color and spike-shaped. The fruit measures 2-3 millimeters and is dry.

What is?

The tea tree is a plant that it is used to decorate gardens and also as medicinal. As a decoration it is very interesting to have it isolated or in groups, in sunny places. In addition, it is possible to work it as a bonsai, since it has small leaves and tolerates pruning very well, healing its wounds quickly and correctly.

As medicinal It is a tree that has properties such as antibiotic, healing, antifungal / antifungal and antiseptic. Of course, you have to know that in low doses it is toxic for children and animals. The symptoms are: dizziness, nausea, disorientation, nausea, and in severe cases coma. Adults should also be careful, as only a small dose should be used on the skin and/or hair, and for a short period of time.

It is also often used to make cleaning products, such as floor cleaners.

What are the care that must be given?

La Melaleuca alternifolia It is a small tree that adapts well to living in different conditions. Its growth rate is quite fast, about 20-30 centimeters each year, and since it does not need water frequently, it is possible to grow it in regions such as the Mediterranean, where drought can last for months and where temperatures are mild almost every month. except in summer when they are hot.

So how should it be taken care of? We will explain everything you need to know below:

Location

Melaleuca alternifolia leaves are linear

Image - Wikimedia / Raffi Kojian

It has to be on the outside. It is a bush that will never be able to adapt to living inside a house, since the conditions inside it are very different from those outside. In addition, it is important that it is exposed to direct sunlight, rain, wind, and also the changes in temperature that occur as the months go by.

As for its roots, they are not invasive. Now, it is highly recommended to plant it at a distance of at least one meter from walls and walls, as well as from other plants that are tall.

Earth

  • Garden: it is a plant that grows in almost any type of soil, even in poor ones.
  • Flower pot: if you wish, you can grow it in a pot with universal substrate (on sale here).

Irrigation

Irrigation of the Melaleuca alternifolia must be moderate. This means that it will be watered, more or less, once or twice a week during the cold months, and between 1 and 3 times a week the rest. The frequency of irrigation will depend a lot on the temperatures that exist, and on whether it is planted in the ground or in a pot, so if you have doubts, check the humidity of the soil with a meter.

Another way of doing it is by inserting a stick into the soil: if it comes out almost clean, we will know that it is very dry, but if on the contrary we see that there is a lot of adhered soil, it will be because it is very wet and therefore it will not be necessary to water.

Subscriber

It is not important to pay the tea tree. Of course, you can do it if you want during spring and summer, whether it is in the ground or in a pot. To do this, we advise you to use organic fertilizers, such as guano (for sale here) or compost, since they are the ones that will also help you protect the fauna in your garden, such as bees, butterflies or ladybugs.

Pruning

Pruning will be done in late winter using proper pruning tools, such as a handsaw for branches over a centimeter thick, or anvil shears (for sale here) for one centimeter or a little less.

The branches that are dry and broken should be removed, but it can also be used to reduce the size of the crown or, if we want to have it with a single trunk, remove the shoots that are coming out of it.

Rusticity

La Melaleuca alternifolia is a plant that withstands frosts down to -7ºC and warm temperatures of up to 40ºC.

The flowers of Melaleuca alternifolia are white.

Image - Wikimedia / Geoff Derrin

What do you think of the tea tree?


Be the first to comment

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*