is it safe to use miracle grow in the water of a real christmas tree?

Question

we have a real christmas tree and we are placing miracle grow in the water to keep it alive is this safe for the tree?

Answer 1

Good heavens no, no, no! The tree will still be pulling water up through the trunk, and miracle grow will kill and burn the "waterways" of the tree, causing it to die and drop its needles faster, as well.

Tepid water, a little sugar, a tablespoon of chlorine bleach (to keep algae away which will also kill the tree) and you're good. Replace water as needed.

Again, Miracle Grow will KILL your tree faster. Remove the water you have (and hope you haven't done too much damage already) and replace the water.

Answer 2

At this point you're just prolonging the inevitable, but there are a few tips that may help: First, cutting a fresh end is obvious, but if decorated not too practical...Most likely the cutting has dried, but the remainder of the trunk is struggling to survive. Warm water with an aspirin disolved in it may help to re-open the cutting... Most tree-stands have a few spikes in the bottom for stability, and "bouncing" the tree while turning a few inches between bounces will open new tissue for water absorption...just loosen the mounting screws "lift, turn, and drop" a few times. You can also reach into the base with a long, small (1/4inch) drill bit and open 2 intersecting ports through the core, as near the bottom as possible, then apply the warm water. Many people use some sugar in their water, but this is not required and based mainly on old wives tales...The tree produces the sugars (sap) that it requires as part of the absorption process.

Answer 3

Miracle gro makes a formula for Xmas trees. Xmas trees are like cut flowers: you have to give them water to keep the alive as long as possible. The water is far more important than any additive, but Miracle Gro does make a formula that will preserve it for longer than water alone.

Answer 4

Miracle Grow feeds nutrients to the roots of a plant which enhances it's growing potential. Seeing as how a cut Christmas tree has no roots, it will not be able to use the nutrients. You will be wasting your money and time. Just carefully water the tree every day.

Answer 5

You don't say if its a cut tree or a ball and burlap. It doesn't really matter because a cut tree is not going to grow any more and the ball and burlap is going to go dormant and the fertiliser will not be used. Don't worry about killing your tree any faster, you canactually drink this stuff and no harm to you. Save your money as I will email you my address and you can send me a nice Christmas gift Happy Holidays

Answer 6

The tree is DEAD, there is no keeping it alive anymore. Though some believe by using miracle grow you have the ability to resurrect the tree on the third day so you can run to the creationist museum and learn how children played with dinosaurs...flintstone style.

Answer 7

the tree is technically dead,so miracle grow will not help it at all,just use plain water it helps the tree from drying out to fast,

Answer 8

All purpose miracle grow has way too much nitrogen in it than even a planted evergreen requires to grow naturally..It will burn it up since it is now in a dormant state...and even if not dormant..would be way too much..and burn it..They require only a 10 count nitrogen..when they do need fertilized..which is not real often..Miracle grow is a 24 count nitrogen..You can buy miracvle grow blooming mix...but then the phospherous count is way high..and made to assist in root and bloom producytion..just best leave it alone and in a little water..

Like all landscape plants, evergreens remove nutrients from the soil. In the forest, needles and twigs accumulate on the ground and return nutrients to the soil. Under cultivation, evergreens usually receive fewer nutrients from this source because some needle and twig litter is removed beyond the drip line or tips of their branches.

At some point it might be necessary to fertilize your evergreens, though evergreens generally require less fertility than deciduous trees. In many landscapes, evergreens also benefit from fertilizer applications to the lawn.

Why Fertilize?
The plant itself will often indicate when it needs fertilizer. If growth rate and needle color are normal for a particular variety, fertilization is not necessary. If new growth is sparse or slow, or the needles are not a healthy color, or are shorter than normal, you should probably fertilize. Keep in mind, however, it is not unusual or abnormal for newly transplanted evergreens to exhibit slow growth until they're re-established.

Regular fertilization may be recommended if you are trying to grow evergreens in a less than ideal site, such as very sandy or heavy clay soil, or if the plant has suffered damage from insects or disease. You might also wish to fertilize to encourage more rapid growth in relatively young evergreens.

What to Use
A complete fertilizer that supplies nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, such as 10-8- 6, is often suggested. This formula can vary somewhat, but usually the nitrogen content (the first number) will be higher than the phosphorus (second number) or potassium (final number).

It is always best to have a reliable soil test run before fertilizing, as much of our soil already has sufficient amounts of phosphorus and needs no extra. Testing will also show whether the soil is acidic or alkaline. Generally, evergreens grow better when soil conditions are acidic; many nutrients may be unavailable to the plant when soil is too alkaline.

Timing Fertilizer Application
The best time to fertilize is early April, before new growth expands, but you can apply fertilizer anytime until midsummer (roughly July 15). Applications beyond this period will stimulate growth late enough in the season that it may not have time to harden off before cold temperatures arrive. Such growth is much more likely to suffer winter injury and dieback.

An exception would be the use of slow or timed-release fertilizer such as Osmocote or Sta-Green. A light application in late summer or early fall may help nutrient-stressed trees come through winter in better shape. Mid to late autumn applications of slow-release fertilizer are also usually safe.

Never fertilize drought-stressed plants. If conditions become quite dry after you've fertilized, it's doubly important to water your evergreens regularly.

How Much Fertilizer to Use
Fertilizer recommendations are usually given in pounds per thousand square feet. To find out how much to use, figure out roughly how many square feet your tree or shrub covers. For instance, a spruce that measures five feet across would cover twenty-five square feet. If it were large, with branches extending five feet in each direction, it would be ten feet across, and cover about one hundred square feet, in total.

A common "maintenance rate" of fertilizer is two to four pounds actual nitrogen per thousand square feet of soil surface, applied every two to four years. For mature, slower growing trees, one pound of actual nitrogen is probably enough.

Answer 9

OMG NO! It is not safe. Lady S is right, it will seriously damage your tree.

Answer 10

Mircle Grow is a fertilizer....since the tree is NOT growing, why would you use it ???