Concern on the health of Picea Christmas Tree

[bedgarone]

Dear all,
I recently bought these two small christmas trees. The seller advised that they need to be planted in the ground asap after the christmas season because they grew up in those pots and are demanding to get out of them.

The smaller one seems brighter and has a lighter green color, whereas the bigger one (my concern) is darker, starting to become yellow in some parts, while others in the middle are already Brown.

I am not sure if there is a problem, and if there is, what is the cause. They were highly watered yesterday and today the pot is already dry. Is it underwatering? Overwatering? According to the seller, its possible that the roots are rounding the pot. But i'm afraid it wont survive to a New bigger pot (as it should be already stressed with the change of place to my house).

Could I have some advice on how to take care of these two until end of december (when I'll plant them on the ground). I'm new to gardening. Thank you so much!

 

[Marck]

I would keep them outdoors in the sun and water them regularly. Don't let the soil stay saturated with water, but also don't let it dry out.
If you need to bring them inside for a party or on Christmas day, do so, but then take them back outside. They should begin to do better once planted in a sunny, well-drained spot. Do you know which species? They look like the common European Spruce (Picea abies), but there are other possibilities.

I'm not sure why there is a color difference between the two plants. It may be genetic or one may be more chlorotic from a lack of nutrients. It wouldn't hurt to give them a single dose of complete liquid fertilizer now. Also amend the planting holes with some compost to get them off to a good start.

 

[bedgarone]

Hi Marck, thank you. These are Picea Abies, yes, european.

Can you give me an example or the type of fertilizer that I need to buy?
I will only be able to plant them in the new year, after christmas. Should I apply some fertilizer now in the pot or only then in the hole in january?

Finally, regarding this period until late-december. Should I keep them in these pots? Or should I check if they are root bound and trim around? Even put on a larger pot? One of the roots is getting outside the pot. And if I try to fork/stick in the soil, im able to go through in the smaller tree soil, but the other one I cant (its very thick).

Thank you.

 

[Marck]

For containers I recommend a complete, general-purpose liquid fertilizer. For enriching a planting hole I would use nutrient-rich compost.

The trees do seem root-bound. Since you will be planting them in six weeks or so, I don't think that repotting in the meanwhile is necessary, but it could be done and might have some benefit.

 

[bedgarone]

Allright, thank you so much. I'll fertilize in the container and start thinking on the compost for the holes. Merry Christmas in advance!