Pinus torreyana aka Torrey Pine

Taxonomy

The Torrey pine, or Pinus torreyana, is a critically endangered species of pine tree that is native to the California coastal sage and chaparral ecoregion in the United States. It grows only in coastal San Diego County and on Santa Rosa Island, offshore from Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County. The Torrey pine is a broad, open-crowned tree that can reach 8-17 meters tall in the wild, and has 25-30 centimeter long leaves in groups of five. The cones are stout and heavy, typically 8-15 centimeters long and broad, and contain large, hard-shelled, edible pine nuts. The plant has strobili that function as a flower, but look like small cones. In the Torrey pine, they look like a yellow bud in a male strobilus and like a small red cone in a female strobilus. While the Torrey pine is primarily found in the wild, it is also possible to grow it as a houseplant with proper care. It requires regular watering and does best in long-lasting, direct light less than one foot away from a window. It prefers well-draining soil and should be repotted each time it doubles in size. As a member of the Pinus genus, the Torrey pine is native to Southwestern North America.

Common names

Torrey Pine, Del Mare Pine, Soledad Pine

How to care for Torrey Pine

Difficulty

Torrey Pine presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Torrey Pine should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Torrey Pine 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

Torrey Pine 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 Soledad Pine.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Fertilizer

The Torrey Pine grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.

Region of origin

Torrey Pine’s native range is South-western N. America - California.


More info:
Wikipedia