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Avatar for KahoutsIceKiller
Nov 5, 2017 8:33 AM CST
Thread OP
Colorado
Hey guys,

First off, I am brand new to any kind of gardening/plant cultivating. I've had success (and a lot of enjoyment) with succulents and a few other varieties of indoor worthy plants for the past couple years. This led me to my current situation. A month and a half ago I was in Arcata, CA pursuing their farmer's market and came upon an ornamental plant vendor. Knowing nothing I browsed his inventory hoping to get one as an indoor potted plant. We talked for quite some time, and upon his recommendation for something "truly special", I purchased his only Kahouts Icebreaker, about 5 inches tall and grafted to some other tree section for the roots. It was extremely healthy and green with the needles tightly coiled around, as they should be. The man said I could not keep the tree indoors as a house plant, though I could keep it in a pot for the duration of its life. I told him I live in Gunnison, CO (ranked in the top three coldest locations in the US) and asked many times if it would survive here. He used to live in CO Springs and said he was familiar with my area and the temperatures. He told me that as soon as I flew home (the following day), I could put the tree outside and it would be fine (I was worried about cold shock- it didn't dawn in me until the next day that perhaps there are different rules if you keep the plant in a pot as opposed to the ground, less insulation- and now I could no longer ask the expert). Anyway, out of fear from a cold snap that was happening when I returned, I kept the tree inside for a few days where it seemed to be doing great. I then put it outside during the day and back in at night and then put it outside again and, if I remember correctly, left it outside for two night in a row until my husband decided on his own to bring it inside as he was worried about the roots freezing at night (tree is in one of those black, basic plastic planters which is sitting inside a ceramic pot). I think I put it outside again for a few more days and then ultimately brought it back inside as it appeared to look slightly altered (perhaps suffering?). The tree is now not ok. I'm pretty sure it's dead but I am desperate to try anything just to be sure! I have been absolutely obsessed with this tree since the moment before I bought it and was determined to cultivate and allow it to thrive! It is sitting inside near some filtered sun (not in full, hot sunlight), and I've only watered it once (gave it a soaking about a week ago following instructions to allow it to dry between waterings and then give a soaking, allowing the soil to fully drain). My Kahouts is becoming brown and the needles are slowly unfurling. I am assuming the roots froze and my poor baby is dead! Is there any hope whatsoever?? What can I do to save my Kahouts Icebreaker???!!!
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Nov 5, 2017 9:01 AM CST
Name: Sally
central Maryland (Zone 7b)
See you in the funny papers!
Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Procrastinator Charter ATP Member Hummingbirder Frogs and Toads Houseplants
Keeper of Poultry Vegetable Grower Region: Maryland Composter Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener
For starters, it is a conifer, not a succulent
http://conifersociety.org/coni...
I don't know if that explains his saying it survives outside in CO. Any plant that small will not have an easy time outside all winter.
Plant it and they will come.
Avatar for KahoutsIceKiller
Nov 5, 2017 9:06 AM CST
Thread OP
Colorado
Hi SallyG,

Thanks for the comment! I did know it was a Conifer- I read back and realized what I wrote was not clear about that. Just mentioning that I could handle succulents (beginner) and other indoor plants so I got excited about adding something new!
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Nov 5, 2017 10:29 AM CST
Name: Daisy I
Reno, Nv (Zone 6b)
Not all who wander are lost
Garden Sages Plant Identifier
Your little tree is a cultivator of Korean Fir - it can handle temperatures to Zone 5. But, as you realized, not in a pot (good observation). The pot decreases the hardiness by 2 zones. I don't know what zone you are.

The vendor misled you by telling you to water only after the tree was very dry as firs need to be constantly moist (not wet but damp).

To determine if your tree is still alive: Is it losing needles? Do the branches snap off when you bend them? If you can find a bare spot on the trunk, scratch it with your fingernail. If it is green under the top layer of bark, the tree is alive. If its brown or hard, the tree is dead.

If its still alive, pick a spot for it to live and read up on the care:

Korean fir 'Kohout's Ice Breaker'

If you choose to keep your tree indoors for the winter, find a cold spot (do you have an unheated shed, basement or garage with a window?), the heat in your house will kill it. Remember to water.
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming...."WOW What a Ride!!" -Mark Frost

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Webmaster: osnnv.org
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Nov 5, 2017 2:14 PM CST
Name: Sally
central Maryland (Zone 7b)
See you in the funny papers!
Overwinters Tender Plants Indoors Garden Procrastinator Charter ATP Member Hummingbirder Frogs and Toads Houseplants
Keeper of Poultry Vegetable Grower Region: Maryland Composter Native Plants and Wildflowers Organic Gardener
oh,good, I'm glad you weren't completely on a different track!
Only tiny thing I might add now, after watering make sure it feels heavier. If it dried really far, some soils shrink away from the pot and all the water runs through without wetting the roots. (Though I can disclaim this warning already- a Christmas cactus at my MIL's apartment thrived under that scenario, go figure Shrug! )

My own forays into something new and different are not always successful either.. Sticking tongue out
Plant it and they will come.
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