Eucalyptus Gunni

Synonyms: eucalyptus gunnii

Eucalyptus Gunni (Eucalyptus gunnii Hook.f.) – a species of the genus Eucalyptus of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). It was first published in the London Journal of Botany. 3: 499 in 1844. In Crimea it has been cultivated since 1948, on the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus — since 1952.

Native to Tasmania. Grows in tropical, subtropical and southern-temperate regions. In nature it grows in the subalpine belt, on heavy, wet, often seasonally waterlogged soils.

It is an evergreen tree up to 30 м in height with smooth, orange or pinkish-white bark that flakes into scales and sheds. It grows moderately, at the age of 9 years it reaches 9,3 м with a trunk diameter of 8 см. Young shoots are thin, densely branched, glaucous-white.

Young leaves are opposite, the number of pairs indefinite, glaucous, cordate, rounded or elliptic, 3—4 cm long and almost the same width, sessile or on short petioles. Intermediate and adult leaves are alternate; the former are elliptic or oblong, green or glaucous, toothed; the latter are narrowly or broadly lanceolate, petiolate, 4—7 cm long, 1.5—3 cm wide, green.

Flowers are axillary, arranged in groups of 3 in simple umbels, sessile, stalks 3—8 mm long. Buds are glaucous or green, shortly pedicellate, clavate or almost cylindrical, 6—8 mm long, diameter 5 м, with a nipple-shaped or pointed operculum; the floral receptacle tube slightly constricted or almost urn-shaped; anthers elongate or rounded, opening by longitudinal slits, with a globose, large, dorsal gland.

Fruits almost sessile, globose or bell-shaped, more rarely truncate-ovoid, 7—10 mm long, 8—9 mm in diameter.

Subspecies:

• Eucalyptus gunnii subsp. archeri
• Eucalyptus gunnii subsp. divaricata
• Eucalyptus gunnii subsp. gunnii

Hardiness zone: zone 7b (-20°C).

Temperature: Moderate 16-18°C, in winter below moderate or cool 12-15°C. In summer pots can be placed outdoors.

Lighting: Eucalyptus needs bright light, with some direct sunlight. Grows well on east and west windowsills.

Watering: Abundant from spring to autumn, moderate in winter. Soil should remain slightly moist at all times.

Fertilizer: From April to August use a complete mineral fertilizer for houseplants every two weeks.

Humidity: Does not require misting.

Repotting: Every 2-3 years in spring. Soil - a mixture of clay-loam and compost (or leaf) soil, with some river sand added. Pinching back shoots restrains their growth and stimulates the appearance of young leaves.

Propagation: By seeds, sown in February-March. Soil heating is desirable. Eucalyptus seeds are not covered, as they germinate better in light. Keep the sowing at a temperature of about 18°C. Seedlings appear in approximately one week.