If it were me and I was repotting ( I tend to agree even with limited knowledge just leave it in its pot for now where it will be hardy through winter to not re-shock again just yet). I would pick a pot that has drainage holes at base as well as the one you described ( ie multiple holes -- structure kind of like the growpot things you buy plants in from a nursery), have it raised on feet or a ( statted or metal -- ie plenty of drainage room , not solid) plant caddy. I'd mix potting grit through the soil ( ie no separate layer of anything at bottom layer). I'm not sure what you mean by gravel exactly , it might be potting/horticultural grit anyway which is used for this purpose, or it might be the bigger pebbly type stuff ( showing my ignorance). If you like the sort of pot you have , one ( less good in my opinion for outdoor rainy location ) option could be to put a growpot in as an inner pot , raised on feet ( within the outer one) , filled with growing medium as described above. With this , you would need to check every 2-3 days that the "outer" pot didnt have too much water in base ( ie remove growpot and see if any standing water needs tipping out)
edit to add - apologies if the above reads in any way patronising or simplistic, that was not my intention
Yes I realise that I did not sort the compost out properly but intend to do that next Spring if it survives the winter. I have bought some insulation fleece? think it is called that, which someone advised me to do to protect it for winter Guess I will just have to keep fingers crossed and see what happens Thanks for advice, I am so glad I did not just go ahead and dig it up again Will repost with pics if it survives
Thanks for your info Desi and no it does not sound simplistic or patronising. I am grateful for all the advice I get from members on here as I would otherwise be making far more mistakes than I am already doing I will change the pot in Spring, if not will try and do what you say about inserting a more suitable pot inside it, I would never have thought of that The gravel I mentioned is size of very small pebbles I bought it from a nursery so is meant for gardens and pots but will remove it I think when I do the repotting
@susananwms - the important thing is the soil structure of the medium it's planted in. That's what you need to focus on when re potting. The size of the gravel is irrelevant - it's the action of water sitting in the base and being available to fine roots that matters. Fleece only protects potted roots from frosts - it won't really stop rain getting in and making the plant overly wet. If you have it in an open, wet area, you'll need to move it somewhere so that it can be kept drier over the worst of the winter. The lea of a house wall is drier, but you'll need to judge that for yourself
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hi Fairygirl, the fleece is only to protect from the frost and some wind hopefully. I am not sure what to do about the rain, the only part of the house I could use is very windy. There is a more sheltered spot at the bottom of the garden, I might have to try and work something out for it down there Fingers crossed it will still be alive next spring, I think I have taken on more than I can chew with this plant. Should never have bought it.
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If you like the sort of pot you have , one ( less good in my opinion for outdoor rainy location ) option could be to put a growpot in as an inner pot , raised on feet ( within the outer one) , filled with growing medium as described above. With this , you would need to check every 2-3 days that the "outer" pot didnt have too much water in base ( ie remove growpot and see if any standing water needs tipping out)
edit to add - apologies if the above reads in any way patronising or simplistic, that was not my intention
I have bought some insulation fleece? think it is called that, which someone advised me to do to protect it for winter
Guess I will just have to keep fingers crossed and see what happens
Thanks for advice, I am so glad I did not just go ahead and dig it up again
Will repost with pics if it survives
I will change the pot in Spring, if not will try and do what you say about inserting a more suitable pot inside it, I would never have thought of that
The gravel I mentioned is size of very small pebbles I bought it from a nursery so is meant for gardens and pots but will remove it I think when I do the repotting
Fleece only protects potted roots from frosts - it won't really stop rain getting in and making the plant overly wet. If you have it in an open, wet area, you'll need to move it somewhere so that it can be kept drier over the worst of the winter. The lea of a house wall is drier, but you'll need to judge that for yourself
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
There is a more sheltered spot at the bottom of the garden, I might have to try and work something out for it down there
Fingers crossed it will still be alive next spring, I think I have taken on more than I can chew with this plant. Should never have bought it.