How to Grow Christmas Spirit
Fresh cut pine trees, summer barbeques and sunny holidays are all what makes this time of year special for many. The festive season can be a great time to reconnect and make lasting memories with the family. Imagine if you could sow your own Christmas spirit this year, by planting your very own Christmas trees? Not only is this a fun excuse to do something with the kids but you can keep your special tree year after year and watch it grow!
How to Grow Christmas Trees
Christmas trees come in all wonderful varieties, the most common variety grown in Australia is Pinus radiata or Radiata Pine. Not only is this variety fast growing but produces excellent Christmas trees, exuding that delightful pine scent. Mr Fothergills Christmas Tree All in One Kit includes Radiata Pine seeds, soil pellets, instructions and a grow tin to get you started on your Christmas tree journey.
The below instructions will get you started on sowing the seeds from your kit and are included on the tin:
- Rehydrate the soil pellets in a bowl with twice their volume of water. Fluff up the soil and transfer it into the pot.
- Sow a few pine tree seeds 5mm deep and cover them with surrounding soil.
- Place the pot onto a saucer and in a warm, light position.
- Water very sparingly until seedlings appear. Water only if the soil turns light brown and dry. Keep the soil moist once seedlings appear.
- Thin out to a couple of the strongest seedlings. The excess seedlings can be transplanted into the garden or another pot.
- Transplant into the garden or a larger pot when the tree outgrows the tin pot supplied.
Cold stratification is recommended in climates with warm winters. It is not critical in colder regions but can result in better germination rates. Cold stratification can be replicated by soaking the seeds overnight and then placing them in a container in the fridge for 28 days.
Care Tips
Christmas trees are fast growing and if you prefer to grow them full size once they have outgrown their pots it’s important to choose an appropriate spot in the garden. Consider the following:
· Choose an area with adequate drainage. Pines can die if planted in low spots in the garden particularly if you have heavy clay soils. Pine plantations are commonly grown on elevated slopes for this reason.
· Ensure you have enough room for your tree to bush out. If planted close to a fence the tree may be limited and will grow unevenly which won’t make the best Christmas tree specimen. Allow about 2.5m all around your tree for it to grow.
· Though they appreciate good drainage they also like to be watered during dry spells. Dripline is a great way to direct water directly to the rootzone for larger trees.
· A sunny spot is best, ensuring your tree can grow to its full potential.
Pruning Tips
You may wonder why your developing pine doesn’t have the classic Christmas tree form. This is because Christmas tree farms prune the trees regularly to create that conical shape. To achieve this at home, prune the sides of your tree while it is growing in the ground. You should use sharp shears to cut the outer fresh growth at an angle, tapering it towards the tip of the tree.
You may also want to use sharp loppers or a small saw to cut away some of the larger branches at the very base of the tree. This exposes the trunk and will make harvesting and displaying easier, too.
How to Cut and Display
After 3-7 years in the ground your tree should be at a size where you may want to cut and display it inside for Christmas. The timeframe will depend entirely on your climate and how large of a tree you want. It can be a slow process so patience is key! We recommend planting a couple of seedlings each year if you have the space to have your own stock of Christmas trees on tap.
When it comes to the festive season and you are ready to harvest your tree gather a sharp saw and cut it at the base of the trunk, try to get it as low as possible as the stumps can become a bit of a trip hazard. If your tree hasn’t been shaped recently you can refresh quickly with some shears.
Now that it’s been cut from the ground the trick is to keep it cool and get it in water as soon as possible. Choose a spot indoors away from direct sunlight and air conditioning vents to prevent it from drying out and place inside of a tree holder. Check the water level often and everyday especially when it’s freshly cut as it can drink quite a lot! Some people recommend certain additives to the water of your tree, but plain water works just fine too. Add on all your favourite decorations, placing larger and heavier baubles on the lower thicker branches and smaller decorations towards the top.
What If I Don’t Want To Cut Down My Tree?
You may become attached to your tree especially since you have nurtured it as a seedling all up until it’s become a Christmas tree! If you don’t want to cut your tree down try out the following:
- Decorate your tree outdoors with weather proof decorations and outdoor solar fairy lights. Simply remove the decorations at the end of the season and enjoy for years to come.
- Keep your tree in a planter pot with wheels. When it begins to outgrow the pot either replace with another younger plant or prune and repot the tree to enjoy year after year, this is similar to growing a bonsai but with a larger specimen.
We hope you enjoy growing Christmas spirit as much as we do and that these tips inspire you to invite a bit of festive charm into your home this year. Happy growing!
