does any one have experiance with a betula pendula?

Question

i just purchaesd a 2 inch tall betula pendula and want to keep it safe indoors for a few yrs (I have a cool growing space about 60 degrees in winter)Im in a zone 4 and wondering if after say 2 yrs indoors will it be able to winter outside?Will being in a warmer winter space effect the cell structure?

Answer 1

Birches need the higher light then what comes through windows ....so I hope your indoor area is more like a conservatory. Otherwise the little guy won't make photosynthesize enough to carry on from day to day, let alone year to year.

Also plants need that temperature change from day to night, but also season to season especially as the light hours change through the year.

It's not cell structure, it's the entire chemical/plant growth regulators that you are messing with trying to keep the little guy indoors and at 60 degrees.

Most houseplants are tropical in origin where light levels are lower under overhead plants and temperatures are similar to what we have in our homes....warmer days, cooler nights (unless the furnace is set too high). Plus tropical sunlight hours don't vary much thru the year, unlike in temperate climates. ( I'm also wondering with weeping birches doing so well in more northern climates, would the long summer daylight hours have an effect....hmmmmmm? )

Temperate climate plants need a growing environment more like.......zone 4........seasons, light changes, etc. Yes, you can keep him indoors, but it will require some major rethinking of light levels, light hours and temperatures.

Answer 2

Betula pendula (Silver birch) Will thrive better outside. not an indoor plant at all. Can grow in excess of 25ft so unless you have really high ceilings put it out side!

Cell structure shouldn't be too effected, however, these are TREES, they will live perfectly fine outside.. England it full of them. These Trees grow outside they don't need to be kept indoors to survive. As long as they are protected from pests and diseases, are planted in good soil with plenty of nutrients and water, they will do just fine.

Answer 3

I don't know about cell structure, but you need to plant that tree in the ground. Birch love lots of water as well as a very humid atmosphere. Unless you are going to spray moisture on the leaves once or twice a day, I would get that tree in the ground and let it grow. If it is too cold where you are right now, then use mulch or pine straw to protect the roots.