Help identifying & caring for sick potted 'christmas tree'

12 years ago

This tree means a lot to me. I bought it for my Grandmother 2 yrs ago for christmas. I figured I'd keep it for a few weeks but, when she passed away I kept it. Fast forward to a few days ago... It was almost 100 degrees in NY, and I think it my little tree was too close to the window and got "fried".

I have a two part question. What is it?:D And how can I nurse it back to health? I've already moved it off of the windowsill.

I wish I could plant it outside. but I live in an apt, I don't even have a balcony.

TIA.

Here is a link that might be useful: A few pics

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Comments (9)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
how big is that pot that huge plant is in.. slightly bigger than a coffee cup?? i dont think it got fried.. i think it got too dry ... too fast.. in the heat generated by the window ...

is its only light from the window ????

ken
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taxo_man
12 years ago
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Squarrosa'...i think.
Plant it in the ground.. it will never be a great christmas tree if that is the correct identification, but is a good unique tree to ad to any landscape. It is probably root bound in that small container..

J
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taxo_man
12 years ago
Also, just keep it watered regularly, so the soil is not to dry. The tree is still healthy from what I can tell from the pictures. At some point I would replant it into a larger pot, possibly untangling any root masses, should there be any.. It is going to get tricky when winter comes though, because the tree wants to go dormant. So any cold weather you can give it for a few months through the winter would ensure a healthy tree for the next season.
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tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
12 years ago
Not sure what it is, could be Cham. pisifera. Whatever it is, it looks like it's in a decorative pot that may not have any drainage holes. Is that correct? If so, you need another, bigger pot with drainage holes real quick. What type of potting material is it in? Something with too much peat will not be good. You need something with a lot of pine bark and perlite in it. Water only when dry and then give it a good soak (if the pot has drainage holes) and then don't water until dry again. How hot was the room its in? If the plant was in the sun all this time, a hot day outside will not matter.

As mentioned, it would like it better outside come fall and winter.

tj
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grace_m
Original Author
12 years ago
I think that ID is spot on! Now that I'm reading all your replies, I think you're right, it probably dried out instead of burnt. I have to water it constantly (every 2-3 days) so I guess I should have known it was time to repot. Right now it's in a pot with drainage not a decorative pot, but I've only repotted once since I bought it.

I don't remember what soil I used last time, I 'll be sure to get it right this time around. Thanks everyone.
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noki
12 years ago
Might be one of those C. lawsoniana that they sell as little cute plants at Christmas time. They really are not very good surviving as houseplants. Someone here has one planted outside near his house and it grew, but are not easy outside either except for the right climates.
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coniferjoy
12 years ago
It's a Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwoodii' which is cultivated for the mass production...
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
I think you're right, it probably dried out instead of burnt.

===>>> we are getting you there..

but it did burn.. but not from sun.. from root drying ..

conifers are trees.. and they need a very specific potting media...

when you repot.. you will probably be better off with a cactus media.. rather than a high peat mix which is usually sold for houseplants ... perhasp a new post on that theme when you get to that point.. and timing might be important ....

what do the rest of you say about that ???? ..

taxo.. they clearly said they were apartment bound with not even a balcony .. they have no outdoor options.. though you are correct that would be best ...

please. please.. PLEASE ... transfer your memories to the pot ... trees are NOT HOUSEPLANTS [check out the link] ... sooner or later.. it is going to fail ... but you can always have the pot ...

when you repot ... plant a true houseplant in the smaller pot.. and keep the memories alive in that .... and then .. if the repotting fails.. or time just catches up with your apartment tree .... grandma can still be with you ...

that is the simplest solution to your conundrum ...

good luck

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link
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grace_m
Original Author
12 years ago
Ken, when you say timing of repotting might be important...
That time is is soon right? I think it's root bound and summer will be ending soon. Or should I let it recover for awhile? The window I keep on year round probably gets around 55-60 degress in the Fall/Winter, so that's the closest to dormancy it going to get (if that matters).

I do realize this mission is doomed, thankfully Grandma's African Violets like it indoors:)
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Help identifying & caring for sick potted 'christmas tree'

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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Help identifying & caring for sick potted 'christmas tree'

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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