Metrosideros

Plant Characteristics

Cultivation

Scientific Names

Metrosideros >

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Read about Metrosideros in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Metrosideros (Greek, heart of iron; this and other genera of the myrtle family are called ironwoods). Myrtaceae. Bottle-Brush. Trees and shrubs, sometimes climbers, more or less planted for the showy red or white long-stamened flowers. Leaves coriaceous, mostly opposite, sometimes distichous: fls. red, crimson, or white, mostly in terminal cymes or racemes; petals 5, spreading; stamens very numerous, 1 in. or more long, much longer than the petals; ovary 3-celled, with filiform style: fr. a coriaceous caps., inclosed in the persistent calyx-tube or protruding, the seeds numerous, linear.—The species described below are coolhouse shrubs, and are rarely grown outdoors in the S. The genus has about 20 species, half in New Zeal., and others in Pacific Isls. and Austral., 1 in S. Afr. Some of the species are brilliant when in bloom, although they have been only sparingly intro. to cult. M, robusta is the remarkable "rata" of New Zeal., of which Cheeseman writes: "A magnificent tree, sometimes reaching a gigantic size, specimens having been measured with trunks over 20 ft. diam. It usually (but not invariably) commences life as an ephiphyte in the upper branches of some tall forest- tree, sending to the ground aerial roots, which coalesce and form a trunk after the death of the supporting plant. Terestrial specimens are frequently seen, but these either have no trunk at all, keeping during life the habit of a much-branched bushy shrub, or produce a short, hard, and durable wood, which is much employed for wheelwrights' work, framework for machinery, wagons, etc., and for shipbuilding." The plants belong to the class of Australasian shrubs whose chief beauty lies in their long red stamens. They are somewhat grown for a fancy Easter trade by florists, largely from imported stock. They are allied to Callistemon, and at least some of the M. floribunda of the trade is C. lanceolatus. In Metrosideros the flowers are borne in dense two- or three-forked cymes, while in Callistemon they are borne in spikes. In Fig. 745 (page 630) the plant is shown with apparently terminal inflorescence, but the branch is really terminated by the leaf-buds, which develop later. M. semperflorens, Lodd.- Callistemon lanceolatus.—M.speciosa, Sims- Callistemon speciosus. The plant known to the trade as Metrosideros robusta, Fig. 2369, and which is probably Callistemon lanceolatus, has been grown for many years as a cool greenhouse plant, but it is only within recent time that Europeans have been sending American florists the compact little bushes that arrive with the azaleas. The city florist can perhaps dispose of one of these bottle- brushes for every ten plants of Azalea indica. Plants in 6-inch pots, well flowered, fixed with a red ribbon and placed in a modern basket, certainly look novel and attractive. The Belgians grow the young plants in peat, as they do most hard- wooded plants, but they do very well in good turfy loam with a fourth of leaf-mold. Cuttings of the young growth may be struck in early spring and planted out in good soil by the end of May, but it is cheaper to import stock. When the plants arrive, soak the ball of roots, pot firmly and place them in a house of about 45°. Freshly imported plants cannot be forced in much heat, like azaleas, or they will shed their flowers. Watch them carefully, give them more heat gradually and they will bloom for Easter. Plants unsold the first spring will be much more satisfactory the second year. By the end of April cut them back to within 1 or 2 inches of the old growth, put them in a good heat and keep them syringed. They will make a bushy growth, with a good number of shoots. Early in June plunge them in a sunny spot outdoors, with the rim of the pot well covered, and be careful that they do not suffer for water in hot weather. In July, or earlier, mulch the pots with an inch of half-decomposed cow- manure. Before frost, remove the plants to a temperature of 45° or warmer if bloom is desired before Easter. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

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References

• Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

External links

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