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Bay Tree - Pot size

Hi folks - I am wondering if anyone could give advice on a planter size for bay trees?

I bought two lollipop bay trees from the garden center. They came in a small pot of 25cm diameter and 25cm height. See photos https://ibb.co/keeoVp

I want to put the bay tree into a Versaille planter and I am unsure of what size to go for. Some places I read that I should double the size of the pot from the garden center, other places I read that I should just go about 5cm bigger as going for too big a pot could end up damaging my bay tree.

What I am thinking of going for is a Versailles planter like this one here https://www.cyan-teak-furniture.com/set-of-2-large-garden-planters-versailles-planters . Internally it is 35cm x 35cm, so just 10cm bigger than my current pot. What do people think?

As an aside, has anyone any experience of buying from https://www.cyan-teak-furniture.com ? They seem like great value for teak planters.
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  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I got great benches from them 3 or 4  years ago. Went to the showroom to have a look first. I didn't notice the planters, but if they're anything like the benches, the quality is good.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    I can't be much help with the planters / trees, but wanted to thank you for that link! They seem to have exactly what I'm loking for, and on a first glance their sustainability credentials look good (will need to investigate further). 

    Personally, I would go for a slightly larger planter if possible - you could always repot the trees into pots and slot them into the planter if you wanted to go up a size more slowly.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • SlumSlum Posts: 385
    Choose the size of planter that will look right in its spot. You can plant the tree in a plastic pot and put that inside the planter - cover with gravel or similar to hide the fact it is there. I've done this with a bay tree for over 10 years. I haven't increased the size of internal pot but every 2 or 3 years I take the tree out, hacksaw off the pot bound roots from the edge of the root ball and replant in the same pot with fresh compost. This helps to restrict the size of tree. If you want it to grow bigger you could gradually increase the size of pot.
  • Thanks for the replies! If I leave my bay tree in a pot and put that pot into a planter, what size pot should I put my bay tree into?

    Should I keep my current pot it came in from the garden center (25cm diameter and 25cm depth)? Or should I go for a slightly larger pot? Any size recommendations would really help as I haven't a clue!
  • SlumSlum Posts: 385
    Have a look at its roots. If they're at the edge of the pot and starting to wrap around, it is time for a bigger pot. If they haven't reached the edges yet, leave it.
  • Martin GardenerMartin Gardener Posts: 70
    edited August 2018
    Great thanks. That makes sense. I'll check the roots.

    If it is time to repot how big should I go on my next pot?

    My current pot is 25cm diameter x 25cm height.

    Just to add. I'm happy with the height of my bay tree and I do not want it to get any taller.
  • SlumSlum Posts: 385
    Just one that is a little bigger - exact size is not important. I usually just go with what I have available when potting on. As a general rule of thumb, if you centre the rootball in the new pot and you can get a finger or two down the side then that is a good sign. I'm not sure if my bay has got much taller whilst I've had it but the leaves and branches get a good prune every summer to keep the ball shape on top.
  • Thanks. i will repot into a pot that is slightly bigger and then place this pot into my Versaille planter.

    When I put the pot into the Versaille planter what should I put in between the pot and the planter?

    I obviously don't want the pot moving about in the planter. Should I put soil in between the pot and planter so the pot sits firm? 
  • Also what should I use to fill up my new bigger pot?

    I've read John Innes 10 No.3 Mature Plant Compost is the one to go for. Does this sound good? 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    For my bay tree I use JI No 3 and add some horticultural grit in the ratio of approx 3:1.

    I think I'd fill the gap between the pot and the planter with old multi-purpose compost previously used for something else (tomatoes, pots of bedding etc) ... if you don't have any of that some cheap multi-purpose compost or end of season tomato grow bags or similar will do the job.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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