December is already in full swing and Christmas is approaching. This year the holidays are different from previous years. So time for some extra fun! In this blog we give you a number of Christmas tips and care tips to keep your Christmas tree extra beautiful.
Christmas decoration at home
Christmas decorations are often purchased once and reused every year. Every now and then it's nice to add something to your Christmas collection. Every year there are new trends and there is something for everyone. For example, create a cozy Christmas corner in your home. For example, use a rug, lights, candles, but also green. A beautiful palm or a vase with Ilex branches should not be missing. Everyone is happy with greenery in the house and this fits perfectly with the Christmas atmosphere.
Christmas decoration in the garden
It's nice to add the Christmas spirit both indoors and outdoors. Around Christmas you see many lights and Christmas decorations in the garden. For example, make a beautiful Christmas wreath at your front door. Use Christmas tree branches for this. These can be found at garden centers. Add a subtle string of lights suitable for outdoors. Place a small Christmas tree at the front door and decorate it with lights and small Christmas balls.
Christmas tree
This should certainly not be missed around Christmas. There is a Christmas tree for every interior. Little space? There are small Christmas trees for sale that you can easily put on a table or stool. That way you can bring the Christmas spirit into your home. To enjoy your tree as long as possible, a number of things are important.
unpacking
Have you picked a beautiful tree? They pack it in the garden center so that it is easy to carry and leaves few needles in the car. At one company they wrap it with a plastic cover and the other company uses a net. Is your Christmas tree in a plastic sleeve? Then remove this cover from the tree as soon as possible when you get home. This way you prevent the tree from getting moldy. Is your Christmas tree wrapped with a net? Then you can leave it like that for longer.
Temperature difference
All Christmas trees grow outdoors in nature. Because we have them indoors, the tree must first acclimatize. Never put your Christmas tree inside right away without letting it get used to it. In this way it will lose a lot of needles and stay beautiful for a shorter time. First place your tree outside in a sheltered place, then let it get used to it for a day in the shed or garage, then put it in the utility room for a day and then put it inside the living room where you eventually want it. In this order, your Christmas tree will slowly get used to the temperature.
The best place
It is cold and the stove is nice, or maybe even the wood stove. Your Christmas tree finds this a little less pleasant and does not like this dry and warm air. Preferably place your tree away from the stove. Is this not possible? Keep in mind that your tree will lose its needles a little faster.
Various sorts
There are many different types of trees. The Nordman and the Fraserspar are species that are known for their long needle retention. Then you still have the choice of a sawn variant or one in a pot. If you want to enjoy your Christmas tree for longer, choose one in a pot. This absorbs moisture and nutrition more easily. Many people think that a Christmas tree in a pot can always go in the garden so that you can use it again next year. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Christmas trees have huge roots, but these are cut off and the remaining root ball is placed in a pot. You can verify that it loses a lot of strength and energy as a result and will therefore not always catch on in the garden.
Water and food
Your Christmas tree needs water. Both the tree with root ball and the sawn version. How? A Christmas tree with a root ball is often already in a pot with a plastic bag around it and it is often placed in a decorative pot or basket in the living room, so watering is easy peasy. But the sawn Christmas tree also needs water. Now this seems a little more difficult. The easiest is to use a Christmas tree stand into which you screw the trunk. At the bottom of the stand you put a layer of water so that it absorbs moisture through the trunk. Both species also need nutrition. Similar to cut flowers where you put the nutrition through the water. In many garden cetras you get a bag of Christmas tree food with your purchase. Add this to the water you give to your Christmas tree. In this way, your tree will remain more beautiful for longer. Water your Christmas tree regularly so that it is less likely to let go of its needles.
Note: the water in the standard at the sawn Christmas tree is poisonous! This is because there is resin in the trunk. So be careful with pets and children.
Houseplant as a Christmas tree
How nice does this sound! A very good substitute for a Christmas tree is the Kamerden – Araucaria heterophylla. Not many conifers are suitable as houseplants, but these Kamerden are! It grows slowly, so it is ideal for a smaller spot in the house. This cutie is of course very nice to decorate with small lights and Christmas balls around the holidays.
Care of the Chambers
* Toilet: little water needed. Only water when the soil feels dry. In the winter months it retains moisture longer, so you will notice that you will have to water less during these months.
* Watering: is not necessary, but it does help to remove the dust from the plant. If you spray the plant regularly, you will notice that it absorbs moisture through its branches.
* Location: de Kamerden likes a bright spot without direct sunlight. Do not put it too dark, this way its growth will stagnate.
* Nutrition: because the Kamerden grows slowly, it does not need much food. Only use universal houseplant food during the growing season. Dose ½ of the amount indicated on the package.
* Pruning: You don't have to prune this plant, but to keep it in a nice shape you can cut off the long runners.
Do you get Kamerden yellow leaves? This is a sign of too much water. Keep checking the soil regularly by sticking a finger in the soil. Too much water can lead to root rot and your plant will not survive this.
Hopefully these Christmas tips have been of some use to you. We wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a very green 2021! On behalf of team Cutting letter.
