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A living Christmas tree is ecological, practical and saves you
money year after year. You can enjoy it year round on your
balcony or in your garden. Make sure the tree is small enough to
fit in your house and either buy it potted or find a planter to
fit it. If you pot it yourself, use a fast draining potting soil
or mix your own with river sand, garden soil, and compost in
equal parts. Leave about 6 inches of space above the soil. If
you can find a tray with casters all the better for moving it
around for years to come.
You can keep your tree outside until a few weeks before
Christmas, then bring it in a slightly warmer area (porch or
garage) so it has some time to acclimate to the warmer
temperature of the house. In a few days bring it into the house.
When you decorate the tree, make sure you use small twinkle
lights so there won't be too much heat on the tree. You can keep
your tree inside for up to 2 weeks.
If you live in a cold climate, make sure you give it a little
time in the garage or in a slightly warmer location so that the
soil will thaw before you move it in. Also when taking it back
outside, give it some time in the same place to adjust to the
cold, then in a sheltered location before moving it back to it's
normal location.
Plastic sheeting will prevent carpet and floor damage. Keep it
watered with ice cubes (about 2 trays daily) on the surface of
the soil.
In the spring you can prune half the new growth to maintain its
shape and increase it's bushiness. Every few years, repot the
tree with new soil in the spring before new growth begins. Slide
it out of the container and shave off 1 inch of the root ball
using an old kitchen knife. Repot and add fresh soil and water
well.
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