With drooping branches full of soft, fine-textured foliage, the podocarpus is one of the prettiest weeping trees for South Florida. The branches can be left full to the ground, or as the tree matures, trimmed up to reveal the trunk (and allow foot traffic beneath).
Plant specs
Weeping podocarpus is a slow to moderate grower that can eventually reach 30 to 35 feet in height.
It's cold hardy - fine in Zone 9B or anywhere in Zone 10 - and moderately salt-tolerant.
This evergreen tree needs a well-drained location.
It will do well in almost any light...full sun to part shade.
PLANTING AND CARE - Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as your new plant’s root ball and deep enough so that the top of the root ball is parallel with the ground level. Place the plant in the hole and ensure that it is situated upright, use the excavated soil to back fill around the root ball, tamp down to ensure air pockets are eliminated, thoroughly soak with a hose as you fill in the dirt. A 2-3 inch layer of organic hardwood mulch is strongly recommended, it will help retain moisture and discourage weed growth.
LIGHT - Thrives in FULL SUN
WATER - Water twice a week for the first growing season, once established rain water will suffice.
FERTILIZING – No need to fertilize right away, We fertilize our plants during the production phase with slow release fertilizer which can last an additional 2-3 months supplying residual nutrients to the plant. Once fertilizing is due, you may use a fertilizer formulated for outdoor plants, preferably a slow release fertilizer 180 days duration, fertilize during spring or fall base on label instructions.
INSECTS OR DESEASES - Here’s another plus, this tree is not regularly affected by pests, however in the event that scale, mealy bugs, or mites are found to affect the plant, they can be controlled by applying horticultural neem oil that can be sprayed directly onto the insects, A second and third treatment, when using oils, will be necessary. Space out the sprays at 2 weeks intervals to break up the mealybug life cycle.
