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Gunnera in a pot?

FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
in Plants
I wondered if anyone grew Gunnera in a pot? If so,
1- how big is the pot? (obviously it needs to be large, but not sure how large- perhaps I should say how small a pot can I get away with? I’m thinking something like a 60-90cm pot?)
2- what soil mix have you used?
3- how big has it grown- the pot I know will restrict the size, but by how much?

I’d like one by my pond, as it would help with some shading, provide a much needed height boost and I’ve always loved the architectural leaves. My soil is far too dry to grow in the ground and it can get quite exposed in the winter, so a pot would allow me to protect it a little easier.

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I have a gunnera in a pot but it's temporary.  I planted 2 in my last garden and they got nabbed by unforecast frosts in October tho I had got both thru winteres with -15C and worse by piling on two barrow loads of garden compost.   This 3rd time lucky plant went into a pot till it got bigger and then moved to a bigger pot to get bigger again and went into the greenhouse for winter. 

    This allowed me to keep it in view in summer for daily watering and then we decided to move so it's in its 3rd and last pot and will, at some point, be planted out.  It is currently in a pot about 70cms high and 60 wide and growing well but needs a big drink every day. 

    We had a 15 month drought here last year so when I plant it out by the pond it will get a large hole lined with black plastic through which I will pierce holes with a garden fork for drainage but the soil will stay moist, especially with a mulch.   Winters are nowhere near as hard here but I'll still wrap the crown in a couple of its bigger leaves and pile on some compost to protect it.

    You could do the same or else get a very big pot.   Use a mix of John Innes no 3 and multi purpose compost for moisture retention and don't forget to feed it every year and water it frequently.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    That great Obelixx thank you. Yes creating a boggy area is a possibility, but i can’t do it for a while as I have structures to build first, so like you a pot is a good option for now. How much growth does a young plant (say 2l pot ish) put on in a year roughly? I am assuming it will take 2 or 3 seasons to get to any size, or do they sprint away from the start?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I honestly haven't measured but they do fine if given good compost and plenty of water and an annual feed in spring.   It started slowly this year as its first new growth was zapped by frosts but it has recovered and grown again.  I'll take a pic later.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    Thank you.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Here it is, absolutely bursting to get out of its pot but looking healthy and green - 2nd try after being zapped by late frosts.


    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    Wow, looks great. Thanks for going tho the trouble of the photo, much appreciated!
  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    And I’m a bit in love with the stone walls and step!
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    We like the stone walls too.  Much nicer than the front of the house which indicate delusions of grandeur in the people that built it in 1930.   That step is fine but the one below is just loose breeze blocks so needs fixing but we have other priorities first, like making a bog bed and getting that gunnera out of its pot.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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