How to Keep a Potted Dwarf Spruce Alive
- 1). Plant dwarf spruce trees in well-drained, large clay pots to allow roots to spread and grow. Place gravel at the bottom of the container to keep the potting soil from clogging the drainage holes. Place the container in an area with morning sun and afternoon shade. Wrap burlap around the tree in late fall to prevent damage from harsh winter winds and cold temperatures.
- 2). Water the spruce thoroughly with a garden hose one to two times a week. Spread a 2 to 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the base of the tree to control weeds and keep the soil moist. Prune dead or diseased branches with pruning shears.
- 3). Spray dwarf spruce trees with pesticide at the first sight of spider mites or spider mite webs. Mites feed on the tree's sap, causing brown needles and the eventual demise of the tree. Check for infestations in the spring and fall by holding a piece of white paper under a branch with one hand and shaking the branch with the other hand.
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