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The Wollemi Pine 
Wollemia nobilis

In 1994, David Noble discovered a previously unknown pine tree in Wollemi National Park, New South Wales.    Wollemi is fairly close to Sydney, and is very rugged.   The park is over 500,000 hectares,
with many streams and canyons.     To date, only about 100 Wollemi pines have been found in their natural habitat.    They are a survivor from the age of the dinosaurs!

Currently, they are being cultivated in Australia, the U.K., the U.S., Japan, & New Zealand.
On 1st April, 2006, they were released to the public for the first time.      

As I'd wanted one since they were first discovered, naturally I searched the net for my nearest stockist.    Fortunately, they were stocked by one of my favourite local nurseries, so I had one by 3rd April, a certificated, genuine Wollemi pine!   Here it is, just after I repotted it.

Wollemi pines are reputedly fairly easy to take care of, as they can cope with cold and heat.    Hopefully, mine will survive the Melbourne climate, which is changeable, to say the least.    They do not like to be in
very wet soil.

At the moment, my plant is in the back garden in a very large pot, growing in a mixture of potting mix, and a small amount of spagnum moss.   Also a little Osmocote was added, and some straw was mixed with the soil at the bottom of the pot.    Mulch was placed on the  surface, to keep the soil moist.   The plant is in full sun and wind, as it is reputably hardy enough to take the weather.

12 months later:

I've had my Wollemi Pine now, for over twelve months.    It's doing very well, and has grown appreciably.   Although it would be great to plant it out in my garden, it's not possible, due to the size it could grow to.   Very large trees and suburban gardens don't mix.    Wollemi's do, however, make great pot plants.

Latest Wollemi Pine news

Unfortunately, my Wollemi Pine is no longer with us.   We decided to plant it in the garden instead of keeping it in a pot, and it didn't survive the move.      It had grown into a beautiful plant, and was almost 1.5 metres.

Some good news

My partner and I were strolling around a local market last weekend, and we happened to see some
Wollemi pines, at a very reasonable price.    Since my birthday is coming along at high speed, and knowing
I'd been upset by my previous plant dying, he bought me another.   Once again, I'm the proud owner of a Wollemi Pine!