Spruce from seed

Posting this to ask about these spruce seeds my wife planted about a year ago. They grew to about one inch and haven't done anything since. They are still alive but aren't growing. I have started to fertilize them in hopes they will start doing something. She got them in one of those $3 bonsai kits at the dollar spot at Target. I told her they probably won't grow but for $3 I guess she can try. Is there a particular type of soil these need? Is there anything else I can do to help them grow? Or should I just start some new ones? Here's a picture. Poor things are so tiny.

My guess is that they are over watered. Seedlings usually are started in small pots and gradually moved up in pot size. With that much soil and so little plant proper watering is tricky. I would just ease up on the watering and repot to a smaller size in spring, that soil looks OK enough for spruce seedlings.

The smaller one that looks sorta brown actually today has some new growth on top when I checked. I will definitely re-pot them to smaller pots in spring. Not to blame my wife but... I had nothing to do with it lol I was just talking to her tonight saying you know those spruce haven't grown at all, I will ask bnut for you lol so thanks for the tips!

Hey Tex.

I started some a while back. Definitely killed them over watering after separated and put in an unsifted turf material.

there they are first started with a crab.

And shortly before they bit it.

This was 7/13_10/13.




I'll bet if you use the chopstick trick , AND Don't water til it's bone dry, you'll be ok!

Fun.

Sorce

The left one looks ok. Doubt the right one makes it; looks too wet.

Spruce have a strong flush of growth in the spring, set buds in early summer, and coast on through the rest of the year. I wouldn't expect it to be growing right now, and they have buds set for next year. I'd put them up individually next spring into a less-retentive soil.

Austin is a bit south for spruce (as is Bham), and I moved my Ezo spruce to some shade after the growth hardens off to reduce the stress of heat. I did strike 28 cuttings last fall. 8 are still green, but have not grown at all this year. If they make it through the winter, I expect to see some growth next spring. Don't give up!

Funny thing is the one on the right has new green on top. I took this picture a few weeks ago right after watering. I had been watering maybe once a week... I fed them for the first time and cleaned up some spiders that were trying to move in. Maybe that will help. I just hadn't payed them much attention because it was my wife's project, but I'm taking over now, I have more time than she does right now. I have some perfect sized little pots for them and will re pot after the winter if they make it. I started to stratify 6 more seeds and will keep them inside till next spring.

Really appreciate y'all

I watered them yesterday, so it's a little damp, I have been letting it dry out for about 6-7 days between watering. I think the feeding helped a little. I'm excited to see new green!