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re Christmas tree in a pot - it's a Dwarf Alberta Spruce

sunnysideuphill

15 years ago

I took it out of the barn and out of the plastic bags in which it made the move from Lynn MA to NH. I brought it into the garage, which is under the house, and doesn't freeze. There is one small window in the exterior foundation side of the garage, which is the north side, and very little light comes in.

I watered it - and guess that the root ball had not frozen hard in the barn, since water came out the bottom freely after a bit.

IT is in the garage right now, on a warmish day here (mid 30's - with low teens forecast for tomorrow).

It could stay in the garage, but I worry about the low light.

Or it could move upstairs, to the bedroom on the northeast corner of the house. Not in use except as storage, and the upstairs baseboards are all turned off. Although the woodstove on first floor really warms the open spaces on second floor, that room can be kept shut and will stay in low to mid 60's. And it has lots of light.

I'm thinking that room may be the best choice, in order not to freeze the root ball (a risk in the unheated barn - I've lost potted roses to that) and in order not to starve it of light.

I would bring it out and put it on the deck in March (this is a protected space tucked into the L made by living room and bedroom, facing south and west).

More feedback? Thanks.

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Comments (6)

ginkgonut
15 years ago
I wouldn't worry about light. Keeping it dormant is key and sounds like the garage is the best choice. It will not stay dormant in the house I would not be too optimistic that it would make it to spring in good condition.
brandon7 TN_zone7
15 years ago
Both temperature, temperature fluctuation, and some light are important. As an evergreen, your Dwarf Alberta Spruce will still photosynthesize just at a reduced rate. Deciduous plants don't need light when dormant, but evergreens do.

I agree with ginkgonut that your tree is not likely to make it through the winter if left in your house.
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My first question would be have you ever repotted it? That pot looks far too small for that tree (and what's the white thing?). And what's the black thing on top in the pic? And have you left the fake(?) moss on the soil from when you got it 7 yrs ago? You have allowed branches to grow quite long, but not (early on) pruned branches traditionally, but left e.g. ones growing dead opposite each other halfway up (can't see others well to comment) which ISN"T a crime if you prefer the look, but may have thickened the trunk there as much or more than at the bottom. But the small pot .... have you done any rootwork?
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Thanks for the info - the reason I'm asking here is not only getting first-hand information on whether they'll live, I'm getting conflicting info here: http://www.clevelandseniors.com/home/treedas.htm http://www.clevelandseniors.com/home/tom-das6.htm versus here: http://www.waterloogardens.com/resources/articles/12/alberta/ From what I know about this location in the summer, I shouldn't put anything on it that can't take scalding heat. I'd move these to areas that we have some ferns in that get only early morning light. However, in the winter, I am concerned about the plants roots freezing up while in the planter, even situated within 3 feet of the north side of the house.
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hey chet ... one lucky winter... doesnt mean it will work forever .... if its a special pot ... i would protect it ... any chance ti is reinforced cement???? one trick is to get a black pot that fits inside ... and for winter.. pull out the plant.. put the pot in the shed/garage/basement .... and put the plant.. pot in all.. into the ground .... if it has to be by the doors for xmas .... dig a hole .... put the soil into a wheelbarrow ... put that in the garage .... and put two or three bags of leaves.. still in the bags.. over the hole .... this protects against early ground freeze around 1/1 ... drag the pot out there... stick it in the ground... refill with wheelbarrow soil .... and place the leaves.. or the bags around for shelter.. and mulch .... make sure the pot stays reasonable moist.. until you stick it in the ground ... as soon as the soil thaws.. time to repot and enjoy next summer .... good luck ken PS: if i were to go through all this.. i would sure be dealing with something more special than a DAS ..... something like the link below ... Here is a link that might be useful: link
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I overwintered my 4ft dwarf alberta spruce on my 3rd story balcony (In a 16" diameter pot) and it came back just fine this spring. Now with this very hot weather I have noticed alot of browning and needles falling off. I have been watering things plenty (and not too much). I have had problems with spider mites on my roses which I have been taking care of by spraying them daily with water. The spruce is between two Annabelle hydrangea's that are close to the base of the tree (not completely covering it though). I'm just not sure what is the issue with the tree... if it is just not getting enough sunlight because of the hydrangeas... or if it is spider mites. Upon closer inspection I couldn't find any signs of spider mites. The tree sent out new growth this spring and the whole thing was freshly green and now some of the new growth is beginning to wilt, dry up, and eventually lose needles.
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greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
15 years ago
Put it outside (barn, wherever), as suggested in your first Thread. This is not a houseplant and will not survive as such.

Josh
ginkgonut
15 years ago
We overwinter our plants at work in a dark greenhouse, including evergreens. Or think in nature, especially in high snowfall areas, where low growing or saplings of evergreens are likely to spend the winter buried in snow.
botann
15 years ago
I think the original Dwarf Alberta Spruce was found behind the train station in Calgary, Alberta. It's hardiness is unquestionable. Only problem is, it's been babied as far as temps go and it's probably in a small pot for it's size. So putting it out in the middle of a NH winter might just do it in.
Good Luck. Dwarf Alberta Spruces are killed by the thousands every year in pots. They need sun, moving air, and cold winters. If an outdoor plant is in a pot, you might as well be married to it....unless it's a cactus.
sunnysideuphill
Original Author
15 years ago
Ok - warm house bad, freezing root ball solid bad, occasional watering good, having a cold dormancy good. So the garage is it. I can set it out easily whenever I pull the car out, on moderate days, and so it will get some light, but never get too warm. The garage stays in high 30's even when below zero outside, so it will get to be cold, but not freeze the root ball hard. I have it sitting in the overturned top of an old cat litter box, so that watering it occasionally will also be easy.

Thank you all for the cautious encouragement!

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