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Fatsia japonica - Castor Oil plant

UnionworkerukUnionworkeruk Posts: 187
in Plants
Just bought a Fatsia Japonica, about a metre high I want to keep in in a smaller container, so I can keep in on a garden bench for a year or two until in grows then transfer to a larger 60cm wide and deep one where it will be in its permanent home.

I am not sure of the size I can use until it reaches say  2 metres I want it to be relatively small so I can move it easily if necessary.

Some sites say it should be fed monthly with blood,fish and bone from March to August and one mentions slow release fertiliser but it does not say how often for a plant in a container.

Any advice ? 

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    IMHO it'll not be happy confined to a pot that size. They grow quickly and do indeed reach 2m tall, and wide. 
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It needs to be in a pot at least 18 inches to 2 feet just now in order to thrive, if it's a metre in size just now.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • TheveggardenerTheveggardener Posts: 1,057

    Unionworkeruk I looked on line and found this image of you plant in a pot just to give you some idea. I know nothing about the plant but do have one approx 18 inches high so read this thread of information. As you can see the one is in a large pot ad advised by  others on here. Hope this helps.




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  • UnionworkerukUnionworkeruk Posts: 187
    Thanks for the advice. Any idea how often I should use the fertiliser tablets to keep them healthy 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If you use them, I'd just follow the instructions on the pack. I don't really use them except for potted annuals to save me remembering when to feed. I use the loose stuff for those rather than tablets. 
    I use liquid seaweed for foliage plants, especially those potted long term. Also - use a soil based compost, or some topsoil mixed with good compost, for those. Compost alone will dry out too quickly, and Fatsias like a good amount of moisture. You can add some bark or similar as a mulch too.  :)

    I'm surprised at the feeding B,F&B every month you mentioned earlier though. It's a slow release general fertiliser,and most people would only use that in spring, and maybe once again later in the year, depending on the growth of their planting and the condition of the soil etc. It seems excessive for a potted plant, unless they reckon that the constant watering is flushing the food out. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • UpNorthUpNorth Posts: 376
    we have one confined to a narrow channel within a wall, sharing space with lavender, ivy, hebe.  extremely confined roots and it thrives, in full sun no less!  yes it gets a bit lime green in summer but doesn't do any harm and it had a huge number of seeds last year.   so in short, YES use a pot, it doesn't need much feeding unless plan on it growing on very fast.
  • UpNorthUpNorth Posts: 376
    p.s. if you buy some castor oil seeds, you can grow a 'true' castor oil plant.  Grow in april from seed when we have more natural light.  you'll have a beautiful patio plant with huge leaves, potentially upto 2m tall in a single season from seed, if you give roots enough space and enough 'food' through the seasons.   it will be dead in winter *UK winter* but just start another seed next year....
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I don't think a pot is the issue, it is the size of the pot that matters.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • UnionworkerukUnionworkeruk Posts: 187
    Went out bought two big pots, mixed compost and top soil and they now look quite impressive Thanks for al the advice and information. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Good job U.Worker. The plant will thank you. Enjoy it   :)

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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