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Growing a tree in a container

PrivetPrivet Posts: 93
in Problem solving
Hello all. I have bought an Amelanchier tree that I want to grow in a container. It is about 9 feet tall and is pot grown. My question is, do I repot it in just the next size up container or can I go straight to the large container I bought for it. Also, what is the best potting medium for it? Many thanks
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Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I would plant it straight into the (hopefully large) container.  If planted in the next size up pot, it will need far more attention wrt watering and feeding so is at greater risk of accidentally drying out in hot weather, something which no tree likes.  The next-size-up  kind of potting-on is usually done with those smaller plants which 'sulk' when over-potted, such as tomatoes, chilies, young herbacious perennials etc.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • PrivetPrivet Posts: 93
    Thank you so much for that Bob, I was hoping that was going to be the answer. The pot I have bought is big enough for maybe two or three years.
    Thanks again
    Angela
  • NewBoy2NewBoy2 Posts: 1,813
    Why restrict a TREE to a pot ?
    Everyone is just trying to be Happy.....So lets help Them.
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Oh @NewBoy2 maybe that's the only way they can grow it? Maybe they're renting and want the option of taking their plant with them? Can't be that difficult to fathom.
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • PrivetPrivet Posts: 93
    New Boy. I have a very small garden and I’ve always wanted an Amelanchier (for sentimental reasons as much as anything), hence I need to restrict one to a pot. 
  • GreenbirdGreenbird Posts: 237
    How small? Amelanchier would fit in any garden.

    Doesn't really matter i suppose, it would look great in a pot. I just think there's an irrational fear of planting trees in small gardens in this country, but that's off topic haha
  • PrivetPrivet Posts: 93
    Greenbird, my garden is mainly paved, with narrow borders, so I have many things in containers. That way, I can move things about. Having said that, I doubt I’ll be moving the Amelanchier about once I’ve potted it up in a large pot! I already have a Mimosa/Acacia tree in a pot, which has done really well. It’s enormous! 
  • PrivetPrivet Posts: 93
    Phillipa, I will investigate the bonsai thing, but probably not for the Amelanchier. 
  • GreenbirdGreenbird Posts: 237
    Makes sense. Trees looks great in pots to be honest. 
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    edited February 2020
    Amelanchiers are fine in pots.

    I had one that was left behind when we had to move out of our house for some major renovations and then the house was rented so the poor tree went about ten years being entirely neglected, during all of which time it grew very slowly, but continued to flower and put on lovely autumn colour. Then finally it found its way to our new home, where it was planted in the ground and is thriving, apparently none the worse for spending it's adolescence in a container.

    I'd use John Innes 3 or some other soil based potting medium, not 'multi-purpose' compost. But if you already have an acacia in a pot, I expect you know that :)


    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
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