Even small mistakes during the winter can cause the indoor firs to die. To prevent this from happening, we have 4 tips for you.
The tree is a real eye-catcher with its horizontal branches. However, keeping it was much easier until a few years ago. Overwintering the indoor firs is particularly difficult. The plants do not like the dry heating air and the warm rooms at all. Even the smallest deviations in the right brightness cause the plant to die quickly.We would therefore like to briefly explain how you can please the subtropical plant in the cold season.
4 tips for a successful hibernation
» location in winter
The indoor fir prefers a bright location without direct sunlight in both summer and winter. Between October and February, the room temperature should be no more than 10°C and no less than 5°C. The plant tolerates upward deviations of up to about 15 °C rather than downward deviations.
Consider 5 °C as a real minimum: the cold record on the Norfolk Island, where the silver fir is native, is 6.6 °C. If, on the other hand, the plant gets too warm, it makes this clear by shedding its fronds and you can still react. This does not cause long-term damage to the spruce.
» Watering and moistening in winter
The subtropical fir reacts just as sensitively to drought in winter as it does to an oversupply of water. Water only enough to keep the root ball just moistened. The upper layers of the substrate are allowed to dry out for a short time. Only use rainwater or decalcified water when watering.
The indoor fir gratefully accepts an occasional mist of water droplets from the plant sprayer even in winter. But don't overdo it. If water starts dripping from the branches of the tree, it was definitely too much of a good thing. On the other hand, if the fir loses individual needles, this is a sign that a fresh shower would be welcome.
» The general rule is: The cooler the location, the lower the moisture requirement.
» Fertilizein winter
You do not need to fertilize your indoor fir tree from the onset of hibernation in October to March. It is also not necessary to start in early spring. Only from April to August does it really make sense to add a liquid fertilizer for green plants to the irrigation water. My recommendation: Compo Green Plant Fertilizer
» Ventilate in winter
If the temperatures in winter are well above freezing, it is advisable to regularly give the pine a breath of fresh air. But if you are faced with the choice of either letting too cold air into the room or waiting to air it out, then it's better to wait. In case of doubt, the temperature shock is more harmful to the indoor fir than slightly stale room air.