How to Take Care of Mini Pine Trees
Mini pine trees are most closely associated with the Christmas season, but there is absolutely no reason why you can't enjoy and grow miniature pines all year round. It's no harder to care for mini pines than it is to tend any other houseplant. It's important to make sure that no one in your home is allergic to pine sap, and to keep them out of reach of toddlers, because the needles can be sharp. If you decide to decorate your mini pines for the holidays, stay away from lights because heat can damage the tree. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Place your mini pine tree where it will get plenty of morning sunshine but will not be in the direct sun at the hottest part of the day.
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Keep the soil around your mini pine tree's roots moist, but not soaked. If you poke your finger into the soil and it is dry right under the surface, it is not getting enough water.
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Feed your mini pine tree with plant fertilizer every other month. Different species are going to need different fertilizers, so check with the experts at your local nursery or garden center.
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Keep your mini pine tree from getting root-bound. Every six months or so, gently remove the tree from its pot, and look at the roots. If they are tightly packed and cramped-looking, you need to re-pot the tree into a larger container. Fill a pot with a 3-to-1 mixture of potting soil and vermiculite. Loosen your tree's roots very gently with your fingers, and then place it in the new pot. Tamp the soil and vermiculite around the root ball and then give it plenty of water.
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Set your tree outside for a few hours a day once there is no danger of the temperature falling below 60 degrees F. Mini pine trees love fresh air and natural light.
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Tips & Warnings
Place an ice cube or two in your plant's pot every morning, and it will stay hydrated without any danger of over-watering.
Do not place your mini pine tree near a heat or air conditioning vent, as this will cause it to dry out.
