Worth knowing:
The evergreen and very useful Australian Tea Tree with its slender and long leaves produces numerous small and white coloured flowers and can easily be cultivated as a tub plant. During their search for remedies that are non-toxic and antiseptic at the same time, Australian researchers first discovered the essential Tea Tree Oil that is won through steam distillation of the leaves and tips of the twigs. During World War II, it was part of the basic medical hardware of English and Australian soldiers and was used as local antiseptic, until it was later replaced by penicillin. Since today natural remedies becoming more popular once again, the Tea Tree Oil has its fixed place in many home medicine chests. The name Tea Tree dates back to Captain Cook and its expedition to Australia around 1770, when the leaves of the tree where used to make a refreshing and aromatic tea.
Natural Location:
The natural habitat of the Australian Tea Tree is in the Australian states of New South Wales and Queensland, where it grows alongside rivers and swamps.
Cultivation:
Seed propagation indoors is possible throughout the year. Spread the seeds onto moist potting compost and put a thin layer of compost earth on top. Cover the seed container with clear film to prevent the earth from drying out, but don’t forget to make some holes in the clear film and take it every second or third day completely off for about 2 hours. That way you avoid mold formation on your potting compost. Place the seed container somewhere bright and warm with a temperature between 20°C and 25° Celsius and keep the earth moist, but not wet. It will take four to six weeks until germination.
Place:
As an Australian aboriginal plant, the Tea Tree likes a warm and sunny place. During summer it can also be kept in a slightly protected spot outdoors.
Care:
The Australian Tea Tree is best cultivated in a lime-deficient and humous soil. For watering you should also use lime-free rainwater. During the growth period the tree needs plenty of water, but see that you avoid waterlogging, for instance in the saucer. To satisfy its nutrient requirement, you may provide the plant every two weeks with fertilizer for tub plants in the time from April until September. You can also prune your Tea Tree to achieve a more bushy growth and the desired height.
During the winter:
For hibernation, a bright and cool room with a temperature between 8° and 15° Celsius would be ideal. Water the tree modestly, but don’t let the earth dry out.
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