Can i grow mini conifer-trees indoors all year round?

[Tommy Denda]

Hi

 

I'm still in the phase of planning my first mini aquaponics-system and i would

really like to have irish moss and if it's possible, some mini conifer trees. If it proves to be

impossible to grow conifer trees indoor all year round, then i would like to grow some

houseplants with trunks, that looks like conifer trees.

 

If anyone has any experience in growing conifer trees indoors in a AP system ,

i would love to hear from you :)

 

Tommy

[TCLynx]

You might want to do some research into bonsai.

 

You would need to choose a conifer that stays small, is slow growing and likes a year round climate that is similar to your house.

[Tyler Albrecht]

Check out Mogo Pines.  It has been my experience that many Conifers dont like to be wet all the time.  It might be different with an AP system but that is just my experience.

 

tyler

[TCLynx]

as long as the top of the gravel/media stays dry and the water well aerated, most plants that "don't like wet feet" do just fine in aquaponics.

[Eric Warwick]

How do they live in the Pacific Northwest then?

Tyler Albrecht said:

Check out Mogo Pines.  It has been my experience that many Conifers dont like to be wet all the time.  It might be different with an AP system but that is just my experience.

 

tyler

[Tommy Denda]

Mogo Pine. I'm allready on it :) Good idea with looking into bonzai TCL.

I have been reading a bit about it, and it seems like the conifers need

a dormant period each year and the dry air indoors is allso something that

will kill them, if you dont make sure they are kept moist.

 

But for some crazy reason i thought that growing the conifers in a AP

system, they would get stronger compared to just having them in soil,

so they would acctually thrive for years and years. But the problem really

is that dormant period, so thats why i thought if there is a houseplant that

looks like a conifer. The Norfolk Pine can grow indoors, but it really doesnt loke

like a pine, but maybe thats my only choice.

 

The thing is that i wanna do a small scale AP system, to look like a scandinavian

forest with conifers, moss, rocks, and small lakes.

Maybe it's just impossible, with the conifer issue, thats why i'm asking you guys,

because i'm quite new to this incredible world of plants and fish.

 

Please keep the inputs coming, as i can really use it :)

 

 

 

 

[TCLynx]

Many bonsai require very careful watering but in a specially designed aquaponic system, that can be taken care of.  Now your challenging part will be finding what will grow in your situation.  Time to start searching the plant databases.

 

Good Luck, sounds like an interesting project.

[Tyler Albrecht]

Its all about drainage Eric.  My aunt just outside of Seattle has the most INSANE drainage on her property, able to cope with all that rain in that part of the world.

Many other pines that I have grown in landscape or potted situations such as lodgepoles and douglas firs wanted to not get any water in the winter.  If you think about it these trees dont get water at all in the winter within the natural range.  Snow is covering the ground making it so water is not available.

 

tyler

[Edwin Mercado]

Hi all.

I'm a little late to the party, but I thought I'd chime in anyway and give some insight into the issue.

As has been pointed out, the reason most trees don't survive indoors is because of the necessary dormant period required by the trees for a healthy season.  A tree may survive a year or two, but eventually it just dies "from exhaustion" if you will.  It needs it's dormant period.

Ed

[Debra Colvin]

How about a juniper bush? I happen to hate them, due to my allergies, but if trimmed well, they can look like pine trees.

[Edwin Mercado]

Debra Colvin said:

How about a juniper bush? I happen to hate them, due to my allergies, but if trimmed well, they can look like pine trees.

Junipers are conifers. Like all conifers, these very rules apply.