Question
My husband and I bought 2 spiral alberta spruces for our wedding about 3 weeks ago. We'd like to put them in pots but are NOT gardeners in any way, shape, or form. It's really important to me that they don't die, so I need some expert advice.

The trees are both about 5' tall. What size pot should we start with? Is there a specific soil to use? How often should they be watered?/ How do I know when to change the pots? How often should we trim them? Can they get too much sun? Do we need to fertilize and when?

Id appreciate any information you could help with!

Answer
Hi Grace, First of all, congrats on your wedding and I know how important these will be, for they will always remind you of that day; Conifers are acid loving plants, so a well drained acidic soil in a nice ceramic pot is the starting point. You didn't mention how big the containers they are presently in are, but I am assuming they are nursery pots (usually black plastic..) and these are used strictly for transition to the plants permanent location; in this case , it will be a ceramic container that is at least half again the size of these nursery pots. Line the bottom of the ceramic pot with a couple of inches of drainage medium, (pebbles, gravel etc.) anything that will hold any excess water away from the roots while it drains out the drainage holes in the container itself (make sure the ceramic pot has drainage holes!) Next, when you pot it up, make certain that it is planted at the exact same level as it was in the nursery pot,,this is imperative!.no deeper; set it so the soil level is about 2 inches below the rim of the new pot. Now we will discuss placement of the plant, it needs to be in full Sun and have nothing around it, like a wall or other plants, so that it gets Sunlight on all sides as the day progresses, this is very important, for the only real threat to these plants are an insect known as the Spider Mite, and these pests like to infest the shady part of the plant. Water it well when you first transplant it, and when the soil settles, top it off to its pre water level,,,then only water when the drainage holes begin to dry out, but when you water , water it well, until water saturates the entire root ball,,and then as stated, not again until needed. Every other morning, go out and take the hose and wash the crown of the spruce well, to force off any mites that may be lurking, this is a good preventative to keep them at bay. Fertilize in the Spring with a general granular slow-release fertilizer. Good Luck with your 2 babies, they will get up to about 7 feet when fully grown in these containers and are considered low maintenance plants, so they were a good pick,,,,keeping that spiral shape is the only labor, and every May or June , you need to shape them to keep it that way. If you have any further questions, I am here!:)....Nick