Spruceman only checks in with us here very occasionally, but yes, his Norway spruce experience and advice is unparalleled. One thing that jumped out in OPs old original post is the paucity of sunlight-only 3 hrs. per day-falling on his trees. Combine that with close competition from larger and more well-established pines nearby, and it seems there would be some struggle here. Neverthelss, these tree species are very compatible, both having roughly the same requirements as well as growth rates (fast). I'd look to carefully trim some branches if any are especially inhibiting the newer trees. I'd pay attention to water needs as the older, more established plants are going to hog it up. And please, do not buy "fertilizer spikes". They are a bad idea whose time has come.......and gone. +oM

If that plant were to be placed in the direct sun, it would fry in a very short time. I'm afraid that moving it to a much brighter location might not be worth it. The brown tips were caused by excess moisture, not too much light. The fruit flies are fungus gnats, another indication of chronically wet soil. If the 'little white insects' were squirming around in the soil like little worms, they are the larvae of the fungus gnats. Were they wormy or flying around like tiny white moths? Here's one more opinion about your future options. Purchase some new potting medium, add extra perlite, if possible. Find an appropriately sized container and prepare to repot by removing the plant and gently shaking off as much as the old medium as possible and trimming the roots with sharp, clean scissors. Then, cut back the top nearly to the soil level! Repot, water in thoroughly, and relocate in a very bright, sunny location. Mint thrives in the full outdoor sun so we need to accommodate them indoors. With suffucient light and much umproved water management on your part, the new growth should be full and healthy. Of course, you must provide nutional support to any containerized plant. Use your fingers to feel the moisture content of the medium before watering ALWAYS. It should be fairly dry deep inside the container. I would be remiss if I didn't mention to you that most culinary herbs will never be happy inside, not really. This forum is packed full of stories just like yours.

Set the pot outside. FataMorgana

i live in SF and planted up a tiny pot of mint. It seemed like it wasn't going to make it through summer and was drying out...but our summers here are very cool and wet (unlike the end of spring) it becomes overcast and wintery in summer. I live in one of the warm microclimates of town, yet still overcast for most of the day. I didn't give up and increased watering even through "summer". Now it's becoming quite bushy, I think it really likes the cool air and loose moist soil.