Where to find or buy Araucaria laubenfelsii seedlings?

[phoenixjtn]

I’ve been collecting cycads (mostly Encephalartos thus far) and conifers for a few years now,  and have really been wanting an Araucaria laubenfelsii specimen because I love their look/vibe as a tropical conifer from New Caledonia. From the genus Araucaria, I already have a 6.5ft Norfolk (Araucaria heterophylla), a 4.5ft Bunya (Araucaria bidwillii), a 3.5ft Cook (Araucaria columnaris), another smaller Cook, and a seedling Parana (Araucaria angustifolia). Several less common Araucarias live at a local southern California botanical garden (e.g., A. laubenfelsii, A. bernieri, A. cunninghamii, A. nemorosa) and I love how Araucaria laubenfelsii looks. I found seeds for A. laubenfelsii on rarepalmseeds.com but am nervous about their freshness/viability. I’ve found seedlings for sale from an Italian nursery and more on a Dutch website, yet transit from the EU to SoCal (USA) would likely prove fatal to sensitive seedlings. Should I reach out to local nurseries and see if they can source an Araucaria laubenfelsii for me? Or does anyone know of anyone / any source selling Araucaria laubenfelsii seedlings or seeds in the United States?

[TropicsEnjoyer]

I don’t have any helpful comment but since you’re interested in Araucariaceae have you ever looked at Agathis robusta and Wollemia nobilis. I think they’re cool conifers. You have some nice species already too.

[Tracy]

20 hours ago, phoenixjtn said:

I’ve been collecting cycads (mostly Encephalartos thus far) and conifers for a few years now,  and have really been wanting an Araucaria laubenfelsii specimen because I love their look/vibe as a tropical conifer from New Caledonia. From the genus Araucaria, I already have a 6.5ft Norfolk (Araucaria heterophylla), a 4.5ft Bunya (Araucaria bidwillii), a 3.5ft Cook (Araucaria columnaris), another smaller Cook, and a seedling Parana (Araucaria angustifolia). Several less common Araucarias live at a local southern California botanical garden (e.g., A. laubenfelsii, A. bernieri, A. cunninghamii, A. nemorosa) and I love how Araucaria laubenfelsii looks. I found seeds for A. laubenfelsii on rarepalmseeds.com but am nervous about their freshness/viability. I’ve found seedlings for sale from an Italian nursery and more on a Dutch website, yet transit from the EU to SoCal (USA) would likely prove fatal to sensitive seedlings. Should I reach out to local nurseries and see if they can source an Araucaria laubenfelsii for me? Or does anyone know of anyone / any source selling Araucaria laubenfelsii seedlings or seeds in the United States?

Based on the number of Araucaria you already have in your collection you must have a significant amount of acreage.   Araucaria bidwillii alone will require a significant area.  San Diego Botanic garden ropes off the area below their Araucaria bidwillii when it is dropping cones so no one gets struck. 

I would suggest calling some of the Southern California independent nurseries for potentially sourcing Araucaria laubenfelsii seedlings.  Maybe one will be able to source one from a specialized wholesale grower.  My neighborhood independent nursery gets some uncommon Ficus and other trees periodically and has carried Wollemia nobilis intermittently too.  Good luck in your search. 

[phoenixjtn]

22 hours ago, Tracy said:

Based on the number of Araucaria you already have in your collection you must have a significant amount of acreage.   Araucaria bidwillii alone will require a significant area.  San Diego Botanic garden ropes off the area below their Araucaria bidwillii when it is dropping cones so no one gets struck. 

I would suggest calling some of the Southern California independent nurseries for potentially sourcing Araucaria laubenfelsii seedlings.  Maybe one will be able to source one from a specialized wholesale grower.  My neighborhood independent nursery gets some uncommon Ficus and other trees periodically and has carried Wollemia nobilis intermittently too.  Good luck in your search. 

Yes, the bunya’s cones are truly mind-bogglingly impressive (but also hazardous)! The UCLA botanical garden and Huntington Library also use tents and warning signs/ropes respectively during coning season for their A. bidwilliis. There are towering specimens at the LA National Cemetery and I’ve always wondered if they’ve damaged headstones/plaques beneath them. My parents live in Del Mar so I’m always looking for good nurseries down in San Diego (favorites so far have been Walter Andersen -- they have 2 great locations: Old Town and Poway). Wollemia nobilis is absolutely fascinating and I would love to visit the nursery you speak of and perhaps acquire one if they are in stock! 

[phoenixjtn]

23 hours ago, TropicsEnjoyer said:

I don’t have any helpful comment but since you’re interested in Araucariaceae have you ever looked at Agathis robusta and Wollemia nobilis. I think they’re cool conifers. You have some nice species already too.

Yes, I think both are so awesome! I don’t have a Wollemi pine but I do have Agathis robusta (though probably just 6 inches at the moment)

[Tracy]

10 hours ago, phoenixjtn said:

Yes, the bunya’s cones are truly mind-bogglingly impressive (but also hazardous)! The UCLA botanical garden and Huntington Library also use tents and warning signs/ropes respectively during coning season for their A. bidwilliis. There are towering specimens at the LA National Cemetery and I’ve always wondered if they’ve damaged headstones/plaques beneath them. My parents live in Del Mar so I’m always looking for good nurseries down in San Diego (favorites so far have been Walter Andersen -- they have 2 great locations: Old Town and Poway). Wollemia nobilis is absolutely fascinating and I would love to visit the nursery you speak of and perhaps acquire one if they are in stock! 

Yes, Walter Andersen carries some uncommon plants.  I haven't been down for a while but bought my Puyas, many Aloes and what was still Dypsis heteromorpha (Chrysalidocarpus rufescens now) plus many more plants there 12 to 15 years ago.  The other Anderson nursery  is Anderson's LA Costa, here in Leucadia, which is unrelated.   It is worth a stop.  They bring in some uncommon plants as well, sourcing from some smaller growers.  They have a great selection of Ficus species,  a wide variety of Protea, Aloes and Agaves to mention a few companion plants for palm enthusiasts in California.