Eucalyptus camaldulensis aka Murray Red Gum

Taxonomy

Eucalyptus camaldulensis, also known as the river red gum, is an iconic tree that is native to Australia. It typically grows to a height of 20 metres but can reach up to 45 metres and is often found along watercourses, providing shade in the extreme temperatures of central Australia. The tree has smooth white or cream-coloured bark that may have patches of yellow, pink or brown, and often has loose, rough slabs of bark near the base. The leaves are lance-shaped or curved, with juvenile leaves measuring 80-180mm long and 13-25mm wide, and adult leaves measuring 50-300mm long and 7-32mm wide. The flower buds are arranged in groups of seven, nine or eleven, with mature buds being oval to spherical and green to creamy yellow in colour. Flowers appear in summer and are white. The fruit is a woody, hemispherical capsule that is 2-5mm long and 4-10mm wide. It is important to note that limbs or entire trees of river red gums often fall without warning, making camping or picnicking near them dangerous, especially if the tree has dead limbs or is under stress. In contrast, Murray Red Gum is a rare houseplant that requires regular watering and long-lasting, direct light to thrive. It prefers soil that is well-draining and may benefit from organic fertilizer during peak growing season.

Common names

Murray Red Gum, Blue Gum, Red Gum

How to care for Murray Red Gum

Difficulty

Caring for Murray Red Gum can be demanding, requiring a deep understanding of its unique needs and a commitment to provide optimal care.

Water

Murray Red Gum should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Murray Red Gum loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Murray Red Gum thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Red Gum.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Humidity

No extra humidity is necessary for the Murray Red Gum. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.

Region of origin

Murray Red Gum’s native range is Australia.


More info:
Wikipedia