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Best compost for Pinus in a container?

satrdayboysatrdayboy Posts: 56
in Plants
I have bought 2 Pinus Sunshine and would like to put them in containers, what would be the best compost for them. Soil based, ericaceous? Thanks

Posts

  • satrdayboysatrdayboy Posts: 56
    Thanks
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I agree - but I'd add quite a bit of grit too (about 15-20%) as JI by itself tends not to drain well and could rot the roots.
    I always put 1-2" grit in the bottom of the pot to help with drainage.
    Also ensure the containers are raised off the ground a little (1/2" or so) using pot feet.
    I use offcuts of wood or polystyrene as it's cheaper :) This helps to stop the pots becoming waterlogged over winter.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    I would plant it in a compost similar to its present one.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    How can you do that @bede if you don’t know what’s in the bought you bought?
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • satrdayboysatrdayboy Posts: 56
    Thanks everyone. Struggled to get JI no.3 had to buy 2 x 10l bags in Dobbies, but was 20% off. Put some terracotta crocks in bottom of pots and they are raised off ground. 
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited October 2022
    punkdoc said:
    How can you do that @bede if you don’t know what’s in the bought you bought?
    Too late now the influence satr... but you can tell wheher the compost was JI or peatish.  If commercially raised, it was probably peatish.  

    Worth a try.  The roots will move much more readily into the same type of compost, and the aftercare will be simpler.  

    How do you tell if a yellow-leaved plant is suffering from chlorosis?
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
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