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Mini-Christmas Trees
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Posted by yourpal z6 NJ (My Page) on Mon, Jan 5, 04 at 17:36
Have you ever purchased the leftover mini-Christmas trees? These are the ones that (for instance) Wal-Mart sells... all
potted up and decorated for Christmas. They're about a foot tall. I bought a dozen or so last year - each was about a dollar - and grew them over the winter and planted in ground in the spring. They set out some pretty good growth this summer.
This year, I was scoping out the trees (pre-Christmas)and read that they shouldn't be planted outdoors where temps fall below 22. Last year's crop didn't indicate hardiness. The weather has been pretty mild so far this winter, but we've fallen below several times. To my eye, the trees still look viable and healthy. I was just wondering if anyone has had experience with these mini trees so I'd know whether to expect their survival. |
Follow-Up Postings:
I thought about that
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| Glad you did well with your purchases from last year. I saw some marked way down but in a conversation with someone at the plant store, they remarked the trees would need an extensive period of hardening off as they had been kept indoors for so long. Thinking of all that work, I decided not to buy them. Cher |
RE: Mini-Christmas Trees
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| They are probably Norfolk Island Pines. This is actually a tropical pine tree. I hope they survive for you. Usually in your zone they are grown as a houseplant. Good Luck! ...Beverly |
RE: Mini-Christmas Trees
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I support what Beverly just wrote.
I have a pot full of those Christmas trees that I'd picked up over the last 15 years or so (they all turned out to be Norfolk pines, for the record).
The oldest ones are about 4 foot tall. But, by nature, they prefer warm temperatures and indirect light. I've read other places in the gardenweb where the only places they survive outdoors in the US are around the Gulf coast. Even then, it doesn't sound easy.
I recommend keeping it as an indoor plant. Unless you live with no windows at all, you should have someplace to grow them. Terry |
RE: Mini-Christmas Trees
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| Are you sure what you have are Norfolk pines? I've seen those decorated mini-trees before, and while I couldn't tell you kind they are, I'm sure they weren't Norfolks. I'm not saying yours aren't, but I would think Norfolks would make make pretty pathetic, "Charlie Brown" type Christmas trees, decorations or no! 
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