Melaleuca quinquenervia is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. It is endemic to Australia, where it is found in Queensland, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory. The plant is also known as paperbark, punk tree, burgan, and niaouli. Melaleuca quinquenervia is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 15 metres (49 ft). The trunk is covered in a white papery bark, which helps to insulate the tree and protect it from fire. The leaves are narrow and tapered, with a sharp point at the end. They are arranged in pairs along the stems. The flowers are white and clustered together in heads of 3-7. They are followed by woody fruits that contain numerous small seeds. Melaleuca quinquenervia is widely cultivated as an ornamental tree. It is also used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Related plant:
Melaleuca Tree
About soil condition, melaleuca quinquenervia grows best in well-drained soils, such as sandy or gravelly loams. It is also tolerant of brackish water and saline soils. It tolerates a wide range of soil pH, from 4.5 to 8.5.
Not too different with other plants, melaleuca quinquenervia need sunlight to grow. They require at least six hours of full sun each day to maintain healthy growth. If they do not receive enough sun, they will become leggy and their growth will be stunted. When choosing a location for planting, make sure to select an area that receives plenty of sunlight.
The temperature condition that is most conducive to the growth of melaleuca quinquenervia is a warm climate. This plant is native to Australia, where the climate is warm year-round. Melaleuca quinquenervia can also tolerate cold weather, but it will not thrive in freezing temperatures.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 50%. If the plant experiences below 40% humidity, it will start to experience leaves dropping. If the humidity dips even lower to around 30%, the leaves will begin to turn brown and crisp.
Regarding fertilizer, this kind of plant prefers organic matter and it should be applied around the base, not directly on the roots. In terms of the roots, they are quite deep and need to be well-watered. Once the plant is established, it is relatively drought tolerant.
Pruning is a critical step in keeping your melaleuca quinquenervia healthy and looking its best. Pruning not only helps to control the size and shape of the plant, but also helps to remove diseased or damaged branches. When pruning, always use clean, sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts. Be sure to remove all dead, diseased, or damaged branches, as well as any branches that are rubbing against each other.
Propagation of melaleuca quinquenervia is generally by seed, with germination rates of around 80%. Cuttings of semi-hardwood or hardwood can also be taken. The plant can also be propagated by layering.
Usually, the plant growth rate is in the range of 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meter) per year. Melaleuca quinquenervia that are well cared for can grow up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) per year. The growth rate is affected by the growing conditions such as light, water, and fertilizer.
Common problems for this kind of plant are similar to those for other plants in the Myrtaceae family. They include root rot,dieback, and fungal leaf spots. In addition, this plant is susceptible to attack by psyllids, scale, and thrips.
Source:
Melaleuca quinquenervia UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and
(PDF) Melaleuca quinquenervia, Melaleuca1 | Michael Andreu - Academia.edu
Melaleuca quinquenervia - University of Hawai?i
