| just received in february.how do i care for it.can i keep it inside.thankyou. fran wallingford |
| This little tree does not do well as a houseplant because it needs cold winter temperatures annually to thrive, so I would not recommend trying to keep it as a houseplant long term. If it just came from a plant nursery where it had been outside in the weather and was used to that, you could set it outside in a sheltered location with wind protection. Heap mulch over the roots to help insulate them. Water as needed to keep the soil just barely damp (not bone dry) any time it is not frozen. Then plant it as soon as the ground thaws and is workable this spring. An alternative place to store it until you can plant it is in a garage or shed, again taking care to insulate the roots so they do not freeze. If however it has been indoors for more than a day or two, it would shock it to suddenly move it outside. Instead, keep it in a bight location in as cool a room as possible (45 degrees would be ideal.) Water as needed to keep the soil slightly moist, do not let it dry out and do not keep it sopping wet/saturated. In mid spring, take it outside and gradually acclimate it to full sun over a week or two. Then plant it. Good luck with your little dwarf Alberta! |
