​Through the years, this practice of flocking your trees with a powdery-white substance has transformed dramatically. Earlier flocking ingredients included soap flakes, chemical-based adhesives, and even asbestos. Today, flocking is done using non-toxic and biodegradable materials. With these safer and more environmentally friendly ingredients, along with a bit of nostalgia, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the practice of flocking, but not without some amount of lingering skepticism. Despite popular belief, flocked trees are not harmful to the environment or to your health when applied properly and using the right ingredients.

Family Tree Nursery has offered tree flocking services since the business began in 1964, and we still believe that the final product is not only safe but worth the time and resources it takes to bring that nostalgic feeling into your home for Christmas. We start by bringing in real evergreen trees, all of which are trimmed and cut. At this point, these trees cannot be replanted and will henceforth serve their purpose as a staple Christmas decoration in whatever style the customer chooses until they are ready to be recycled. Family Tree Nursery uses flocking material made from wood pulp, corn starch, and boron, and is registered as flame-retardant by the California State Fire Marshall. The standards and requirements for products to be approved by the California State Fire Marshal are strict and nationally recognized, and we adhere to all application instructions. The flocking brand we use maintains that these ingredients are biodegradable and non-toxic. 

​We use a snow-blower machine that mixes the flocking material with water, which activates the adhesive and flame-retardant materials, allowing it to stick to the tree’s branches, before leaving it to dry for a few hours, depending on the size and preferred thickness. Out of an abundance of caution, masks are typically worn to prevent inhaling the airborne particles, which, while non-toxic, can still irritate your airways. However, when the material is settled and dry, it poses no health risks.  
 
Flocking cut trees can actually help them retain moisture in their needles, helping them stay fresher and stronger for longer, which means fewer dropped needles to clean up. The heavier the tree is flocked, the more flame-retardant and water-retentive it is. It is still recommended that customers place their dried, flocked Christmas tree into water when they bring it home, but you can expect to need to refill the reservoir much less often than with a non-flocked tree.  

Flocked trees have made a strong comeback in recent years, thanks to improved materials that create a realistic snowy finish and add elegance to holiday décor. Today, flocked trees are celebrated for their nostalgic charm and versatility, offering a cozy, festive atmosphere that evokes memories of snowy holidays past. When it comes down to choosing how to decorate your tree and whether to flock it, remember that it is about your own preferences! Some people like the classic style of fresh, clean evergreen, and some prefer the look of a snow-covered tree. If you’re still not ready to flock your cut trees, we offer a large variety of permanent, artificial Christmas trees instead, both flocked and unflocked. Come shop for yourself at any of our Family Tree Nursery stores and experience the magic of the holidays!  
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As with any plant, it’s important to match the environment to its needs. Since the evergreen branches are no longer living, they don’t need any sunlight. Sun and wind exposure on these holiday containers will likely accelerate the drying and browning of the cuttings. If possible, try to pick a location that gets protection from strong winds and afternoon sun to extend their freshness. Most front entryways protect against the elements, but if not, you can place your container under a covered porch or near an exterior wall. Just avoid placing them around outdoor heaters and ceiling fans.  ​

Having houseplants is a great way to create your own tropical oasis at home. They can bring relaxation, air filtration, and aesthetic upgrades to spaces. However, just like kids outgrow their clothes, plants outgrow their pots. While it is not a frequent job, it is essential to know when, why, and how to repot your plants so that they will grow and thrive in your home, helping you to succeed as a plant parent.

​You may also need to select a more suitable container size, but not how you think if your plant has issues like dropping leaves, pest problems, or the soil stays saturated for long periods. These are often signs of an unhealthy and sad plant that needs to go down a pot size. When a plant's pot is too big, it can cause root rot, fungus gnats, leaves to drop, and more. If this is the case, your plant's roots will likely be brown, collapsed, and have a foul smell. In this instance, use a clean pair of shears to remove all brown and rotted roots. After being cleaned, place your plant in a smaller pot appropriately sized for the root mass, using the aforementioned size guideline. This could mean going down one pot size or more, depending on the extent of the problem. While going down a pot size may seem counter-productive, your plant will thank you in these instances.

You should plan on repotting most houseplants every 12 to 18 months, but the exact timing depends on their differing needs, growth rates, and watering preferences. Repotting should only be done during the active growing season to ensure success, ideally from April to September in Kansas and Missouri. Longer days and warmer weather are best for plant recovery and faster root growth in the new pot. A dormant plant is at a higher risk of shock, leading to a stress response that often involves wilting, yellow leaves, slowed growth, or even death.

​Knowing the exact needs of the houseplant you are considering repotting is the key to success because some houseplants prefer to be root-bound and grow more when the roots are tight in their pot. Examples of these kinds of plants are ZZs and Sansevierias, which typically only need repotting when the plant physically breaks its pot. Only then should the plant go up a pot size. While it may sound surprising, these plants rely on their roots to keep the plants compact, upright, and stable. 

01. Removing the Plant From Its Current Container
To remove a plant from its current container, slightly tilt the plant sideways, hold it carefully by the stems or leaves, squeeze the sides of the pot to aid in loosening the soil, and pull the bottom of the pot to remove the root ball.

02. Loosen the Roots
Once your plant is out of the container, gently use your hands to loosen the roots, avoiding forceful pulling or tearing. Separate and untangle the plant's roots, removing any excessively long, thin root hairs while preserving the thicker primary roots near the base of the plant. If the plant is "root bound," where the roots have grown in tight circles around the root ball, gently tease apart these circling roots and trim them as needed. If the root ball is too tight to unravel, carefully score the roots with a clean blade to loosen. Many plants will tolerate scoring to help release and change the root growth direction.

03. Remove Old Potting Mix
Removing roughly a third or more of the old potting mix around the root ball is recommended when repotting a plant. The plant has likely depleted many of the nutrients in the existing soil, so replace it with fresh, nutrient-rich Family Tree Nursery Potting Mix for optimal growth. 

04. Check for Drainage
Here at Family Tree Nursery, we recommend that every potted plant has a drainage hole, so we provide hole-drilling services for pots. Drainage is essential for proper watering habits, allowing you to thoroughly saturate the roots without drowning the plant. If your pot has no drainage hole and cannot be drilled, we recommend potting your plant in a plastic nursery pot, which you can then slide into the decorative pot and remove for watering. ​

05. Add Plant and New Potting Mix
Add a small layer of our FTN Potting Mix to the bottom of the pot, and pack it down to eliminate any air pockets. Next, hold the plant in the center of the new pot and gently backfill around it on the sides. Once the sides are filled, gently tap the pot to settle the dirt between the roots. Finally, top off the pot as needed with soil, leaving half an inch of space from the soil level to the lip of the pot to avoid overflow when watering.​

06. Add Top Dressing (Optional)
Include your own personal flare to your potted plant by adding decorative top dressings such as moss, rocks, or gravel. Adding heavy gravel or rocks not only adds a decorative element but can contribute to the stability of your plant, making it heavier and more challenging to knock over. It can also provide structure to the plant and help keep it upright if needed. 

07. Water In Your Plant
After repotting, give your plant a good watering to help the soil settle around the roots. When watering plants, it is essential to saturate the roots thoroughly; this means watering with enough water to fill the pot 2-3 times. The drainage hole will allow the excess water to drain while the plant absorbs the water it needs. 

08. Enjoy Your Newly Repotted Plant!

​Hopefully, this article will give you confidence in repotting your plant yourself. However, if you need assistance, you can meet us at our Potting Bench at any of our three stores, where our knowledgeable staff can provide repotting services. Family Tree Nursery is committed to sharing information and resources to create successful plant parents.