What to do with a potted Christmas tree after the New Year: tips

While heated debates continue about whether it is better to put up a real or artificial tree for the New Year, a new trend has emerged that can reconcile everyone. Some companies have begun offering live potted Christmas trees that can be planted somewhere outdoors in the spring.

It's a really great compromise, but it assumes that you will take care of your tree all winter long. If you're ready to try it, OBOZ.UA will tell you how to proceed so that the plant feels good and then takes root properly in the open ground.

Choose the right tree

You need to start at the stage of choosing a tree. Inspect the plant you want to buy. It should look healthy, not wilted, with green and elastic needles. Only a high-quality tree will last until spring.

It is also important to choose a young tree. Therefore, it is better not to consider trees that reach the ceiling. Such plants are difficult to transplant, and they take root worse in a new place.

Be sure to ask the seller to take the tree out of the pot. This is to check the condition of its roots. If they are rotten, wilted, or cut off before the sale, the chances of the whole plant surviving are rapidly decreasing.

You also need to ask what kind of conifer you are buying. Some of the nuances of care and planting conditions in the spring depend on this. Google them separately for the chosen tree species. And make sure that the soil in the pot with the Christmas tree is well moistened.

Keep in mind that thuja, yew, thuja, araucaria, cryptomeria, and cypress can feel good at home. But spruce, fir, and pine trees can die in the warmth of winter. This is also important to consider when choosing a tree.

How to properly care for a potted Christmas tree

When you bring your potted tree home, give it a few days to acclimate. During this time, do not rush to decorate the tree. In addition, do not move the plant around the house. Therefore, choose a place for it in advance. It is best if it is on the north or northeast side of the house.

It is also important to keep the tree away from heaters or other heat sources. Conifers do not tolerate dry air and can die in a room where the temperature exceeds 20 degrees Celsius. To provide the plant with an optimal microclimate, regularly ventilate the room where it stands.

To keep your Christmas tree from drying out, not only water it regularly (it's best to do this through a tray and use settled water at room temperature) but also spray it. This should be done twice a day. Or place a humidifier near the plant.

Put the tree to sleep properly after the holidays

When the holidays are over, the Christmas tree will need to be stored properly so that it stays in good condition until spring. First of all, move it to a cool area, such as an unheated balcony or garage. You can also take the tree outside, but in this case, you need to do it gradually so that the plant gradually gets used to the lower temperature and does not suddenly find itself in the cold. Conifers do not tolerate sudden temperature changes.

Warm the roots of the tree. Put the pot in a bucket filled with sawdust. The layer of sawdust from all possible sides should be 5-10 cm. This will protect the plant from the cold and help retain moisture in the soil.

If you keep your Christmas tree in a city apartment, water it with clean water from time to time. Avoid waterlogging. You can fertilize the plant about once a month. Instead of using homemade fertilizers, buy a ready-made product for conifers – it won't hurt.

Plant the tree

To move the tree outdoors, wait until it is warm and no longer subject to night frosts. These conditions are usually in April.

Carefully remove the tree from the pot before planting it out, making sure not to damage its roots. Do not shake off the soil from them – it contains all the necessary microorganisms that will maintain the health of the plant.

Choose sandy loam or loamy soil for planting. Dig a hole for the tree that is 30 centimeters larger in diameter than the size of the pot. Put drainage at the bottom of the hole – small pebbles or broken bricks. After planting, water the tree well. Do not compact the soil near the trunk too much – conifers love air access to the roots.

In the first month, the tree will need to be protected from direct sunlight. To do this, build a burlap tent or a hut made of branches over it.

During the first year, the tree will need regular watering to ensure that it takes well. It is especially important to add water in dry weather – the tree can easily dry out.

To retain moisture and protect the roots, cover the ground around the tree with 4-5 cm of mulch. But use natural materials such as straw or fallen leaves. And do not rush to fertilize the soil in the first year of the plant's life.

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