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Japanese Anemone - potting on from 2 litre pot

MaxwellverywellMaxwellverywell Posts: 6
in Problem solving
I am trying to grow a Japanese Anemone (September Charm) in a balcony container in partial shade (5+ hours of sun daily).
I would like the plant to live in a large 35cm pot ultimately.
Last year I bought a mail-order plant in a 2 litre pot in August and potted on directly into the large pot. It didn’t survive through to the next growing season. I imagine overwatering and root rot were the culprit.
I’m trying again this year with a new plant slightly earlier in mid-June, and wondering how to achieve success. 
I read conflicting advice about potting on gradually versus not disturbing the roots where possible.
Should I pot on in a slightly larger 5 litre pot to begin with for the first year? 
Or perhaps bury the 2 or 5 litre pot in the large pot until it gets going?
Or should I just pot on again into the final large pot, but this time water more carefully and ensure good drainage.

Any advice greatly received!

Maxwell in Bow, London

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited June 2023
    In my experience they much prefer to be in the ground. I have struggled with potting them up for new plants they don't establish very easily. They do like to spread their roots too which is why you might have a problem.
     
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    edited June 2023
    I don’t really think this is a plant suited to a pot,  they like shade,  they like to spread,  it will fill a pot quickly.
    Maybe you would like to have a read of this article about them and maybe think of something else that will like your sunny balcony.
    https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/japanese-anemones-grow-guide/
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • MaxwellverywellMaxwellverywell Posts: 6
    Thanks for the comments.
    As the link you posted suggests Lyn, they apparently do do well in pots, hence why I thought I’d try. And as I also heard they like to spread, that’s why I thought I’d try a large pot. 
    Well we’ll see how it goes this year, now I’ve got it! 
    Will move it in to the shade somewhat more.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You might manage to keep it in a pot with the right soil and enough water, but 35cm isn't a large pot  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    edited June 2023
    I had mine in a large trough by itself and it still struggled. 

    I thought I’d lost it in hard frosts when we moved but I took a chance and popped it into a little raised bed. 

    It’s now loving life and I don’t need to even think about looking after it. 
  • muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
     Sorry to butt into this thread, i overwintered 2 of these in pots and they are going well as you can see. However I can’t remember what they are or where I got them to pot - I know I didn’t buy them in pots but they could be from a packet of small bulbs I planted last autumn. So can someone I’d them please ? (Anemone Blanda ?) also what should I do with them later - plant them in the ground or try leaving in pots ! Tia mike
  • MaxwellverywellMaxwellverywell Posts: 6
    @Fairygirl I know maybe not large in the grand scheme, large in the world of my balcony! :smiley:
    I was aware they liked to be kept plenty wet, hence why I worry I killed it from overwatering!
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    @muckyhandsmike Anemone coronaria
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
    ok thank you loxely. Goodness knows where they came from … I only remember buying some blanda In 2021 ….
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