Buying a Christmas tree in a pot that you can reuse every year sounds like a great and sustainable idea at first. But does it really work? We reveal whether fir trees last for several years in a pot.
What would Christmas be without a magnificent Christmas tree? For many, the decorated Christmas tree is indispensable for Christmas. But the beautifully decorated tree is increasingly the subject of criticism: the fact that the Christmas tree is simply thrown away after just a few weeks in the apartment is particularly annoying for many. The Christmas tree in a pot is intended to remedy the situation, as it is not felled but can continue to grow as a house or garden plant after Christmas. You can find out here whether this new trend really represents a sustainable alternative and what care potted Christmas trees need.
Christmas tree in a pot: does it really work?
Many doubt that it is actually possible to permanently cultivate a Christmas tree in a pot and thus avoid having to buy a Christmas tree every year. In truth, however, this trend can also be implemented relatively easily in your own home if you know a few tips: Caution is advised when buying, because not all trees are suitable for life as a Christmas tree in a pot. Above all, plants that were grown outdoors until shortly before they were sold usually die after a certain period of time because their sensitive roots were damaged during potting. Therefore, fir trees that have been grown in pots from the start are much better suited to life as a sustainable Christmas tree. The type of tree is also crucial for a successful Christmas tree survival: firs (Abies), especially the popular Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana), are not particularly well suited to being kept in pots as they form a deep taproot. Spruces (Picea) come into question as a substitute for the Christmas tree in the pot - as flat-rooted plants, they also feel comfortable in a bucket.
Advantages of potted Christmas trees
As an alternative to the classic Christmas tree, the strength of theChristmas tree in a pot, above all, in its sustainability: Instead of getting a Christmas tree from a large monoculture every year, the Christmas tree in the pot can be used for several years. However, many of the potted trees also come from such large plantations and are therefore associated with a burden on the environment, since pesticides and artificial fertilizers are often used in the large Christmas tree monocultures. However, you can avoid this unpleasant side effect by choosing a tree from regional origin and organic forestry when you buy it.
In addition to their sustainability, the Christmas trees in pots collect another plus point due to their wide range of possible uses. After Christmas, the plants can continue to be used as potted plants, but they can also be moved to the garden. If you don't have the time or desire to take care of the Christmas tree for the rest of the year, you can also take advantage of rental offers: Here, the Christmas trees can be borrowed over the holidays and later returned to their lender, who will then take care of the further care of the tree takes care. Finally, the Christmas tree can also convince in terms of appearance and symbolism: In contrast to the typical Christmas tree, the variant in the pot does not need as much needles and still convinces after years with its nostalgic charm, which is reminiscent of past Christmas celebrations.
Disadvantages of potted Christmas trees
Unfortunately, the fir in the pot does not only have positive sides. The biggest point of criticism that is repeatedly raised against this variant is the limited variance in the optics. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that many well-known Christmas tree varieties, such as the Nordmann fir, are only suitable to a limited extent for growing in pots. In addition, you usually have to be satisfied with small Christmas trees in a pot - larger trees need an extremely bulky pot due to their roots, which would be associated with an immense weight.
In addition, it must be considered that the Christmas tree in a pot requires care all year round that should not be underestimated. Like any other pot plant, the conifer in the pot must be watered and fertilized regularly. In addition, the plants should be repotted from time to time in order to be able to grow properly. The care of the evergreen shrubs is also made more difficult by the fact that they always react with a delay to care mistakes - this is the actual cause ofit is often difficult to recognize the sickness of the tree, since the error was several weeks ago.
Proper care of a Christmas tree in a pot
If you decide to have a potted Christmas tree, proper care is essential to presenting a he althy tree on Christmas Eve. Among other things, it is particularly important that the Christmas tree is bought early enough - before it moves into the heated living room, it should be allowed to acclimatize for a week. To do this, the Christmas tree is first placed in a cool, unheated place, such as a hallway or conservatory. If the Christmas tree doesn't get this acclimatization phase, it will quickly lose needles and look sickly.
Once you have arrived in the living room, choosing the right place is crucial: conifers do not like hot air from heating at all, which is why the coldest spot in the room should ideally be chosen as the location for the Christmas tree. Spruces like to be in light to semi-shade, while firs also like shady areas in winter. If possible, the Christmas tree should be watered every two days with lukewarm water, but care must be taken to avoid waterlogging. In addition, you can moisten the needles with a spray bottle to prevent them from drying out due to the warm air from the heating.
If you want to have something from your Christmas tree in a pot for a longer period of time, you should set it up in a warm living room for a maximum of ten days. After that, the Christmas tree in the pot should slowly get used to a colder environment and a new location in the fresh air should be found. The conifers often do not tolerate a permanent stay in the warm apartment.
If the Christmas tree stays in the pot for the rest of the year, it needs extra care. After the first frosts, it is advisable to add some fir fertilizer to the pot to provide the tree with sufficient nutrients. In addition, the fir must be repotted every few months, especially in the beginning, in order to be able to grow optimally. The new pot should be about ten centimeters larger than the old one and is filled with about a hand's breadth of rhododendron soil. This is particularly suitable for fir and spruce because it has an acidic pH value, which is often required by conifers. When repotting, you should make sure that no roots are injured. AfterAfter repotting, the Christmas tree should be watered and great importance should be attached to coordinated watering in the following days.
Planting a Christmas tree in the garden
In addition to cultivating in a bucket, many people wish to plant their tree in their own garden after Christmas. In order for this to succeed, it is particularly important that a suitable location is selected for the tree: many conifers reach great heights and should therefore be planted with care. Fir and spruce prefer light to semi-shady locations with rather moist soil, but are often not particularly picky about their soil requirements.
Once you have found a suitable location for the Christmas tree, it is time to prepare for planting: dig a hole at least four inches deeper than the underground parts of the plant. Now the fir tree is carefully freed from its old pot - here you should make sure that no roots are injured. The coniferous tree now moves into the hole provided, which is filled with soil and some humus. However, care must be taken not to cover the trunk with soil. In the first three weeks after digging in, the tree should be watered vigorously every day.
The perfect time to plant out the Christmas tree is from mid-March, because it should only take place when the ground is frost-free and if possible, late frosts should no longer occur. However, digging up again for the next Christmas is not recommended - this would damage too many roots, which in the worst case could lead to the death of the tree. Instead, Christmas trees that have been planted should be allowed to enjoy life in the garden all year round.
You can find out other ways to recycle your Christmas tree here.