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Best type of tree to start in a pot
sophie_atkins13
Posts: 1
I'm wanting to plant a tree to celebrate the birth of my son but it will need to start its life in a pot till we move from our rented house. we are planning on buying somewhere within the next year to two years, and I like the idea of planing a tree that can grow with him as he does. I'm just looking for advice for the best type of tree for this and something that will grow big enough for him to enjoy in a few years (maybe something with fruit). I'm a complete novice when it comes to gardening so any tips and advice to keep it alive would be greatly appreciated. TIA!
0
Posts
Excellent idea, Sophie!
An apple or pear tree would be a great idea.
Cherries or plums are other options.
A nice large pot is required - one about 50 cm in diameter is ideal. Plastic pots are lightweight, long-lasting and more water-retentive, but lack of stability can be a problem, especially in windy areas. Clay pots are heavy, so more stable, but may eventually fracture in frost and are less water-retentive.
If using a clay pot, you should place bits of broken clay pot or tile at the bottom, before planting, to make sure that the compost doesn't come out of the drainage hole when watering.
A mix of two-thirds multi-purpose compost and one-third horticultural grit is an ideal potting mix for fruit trees.
Controlled-release fertiliser granules can be added to the potting mix to supply nutrients.
Fruit trees grown in containers will require plenty of water and should be positioned in a sunny spot.
Lack of water will result in browning leaves, fruit dropping before it is fully formed and increased susceptibility to pest and disease attack.
www.pomonafruits.co.uk is another good mail-order fruit nursery.
pbff