I have two citrus trees, one a Myer lemon and the other a Satsuma orange, a pomegranate tree and three blueberry bushes that I would like to move from their current containers to more permanent ones. I was wondering if there is a rule of thumb to determine the appropriate container size, such as the tree's height and width at maturity or some other determining factors? I’m concerned that the plastic containers they are in currently will crack and split open after a few years of exposure to the heat and cold. And I don’t know if they should be repotted now or if I need to let them grow larger since they will probably be moving to a substantially larger container than they are in currently. As far as type of container, should I buy wood, ceramic, terracotta, fiberglass and resin, clay, or something else? I want a container that is not real heavy in case I need to move it around but looks nice and will withstand harsh weather conditions. On first thought I wanted to try and go cheap (or “frugal” as my dad used to call it) since I will need to purchase six of them. However I would like for them to last for quite a while so I am willing to consider any and all price ranges. Your experiences, opinions and pictures would be appreciated.
Size matters, so I’ve heard
Good questions ~ I'm marking this thread as I have a Meyer lemon, a Miho satsuma and a Mexican thornless lime in containers. I also need to move them up in size but hate to get too large a container as they get moved into the GH in winter and the moving is on me.
Regarding type of container, I will stay away from wood or clay as they will dry out too quickly.
I wonder if the container depth is more important on a tree.
I'm also wondering if I could root prune and maintain the same container size.
If so, at what time of year would be best.
Sorry, I have more questions than answers...
I briefly perused the internet last night looking for containers made of resin or fiberglass since those materials seem to offer what I am looking for: strong and sturdy but lightweight, weather resistant and will last a long time. I was shocked at the prices as the sizes I believe I will need are from $70 to $170 each. I may need to rethink my "quality at any cost"notion. It will be helpful when I can determine the size containers I need based on the feedback I receive on this thread. Here is the website with the least expensive but attractive containers I have found so far:
http://www.simplyplanters.com/planters/planters/ignaroundresinplanter.cfm
Those are pretty cool but out of my price range. One thing I had considered was 'dressing up" plastic containers.
I was given some of those mineral feed tubs that cattlemen use. I could easily drill drainage holes and could, in spare time, decorate them. These DG folks had some great ideas. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1080126/
This link from that thread has some ideas... http://www.gardengatenotes.com/2009/12/29/dress-up-black-nursery-pots/
At any rate, I hesitated as they are too large a step up for these fruit trees. I am concerned with root rot. Also, when they need moving in for winter, I wouldn't be able to budge them.
Hope I can help with this one ,I think I said in another thread that I had switched to plastic and would really like to have any of those mineral tubs ..I am using a lot of planters made from plastic barrels and they are heavy ..I use a hand truck to move mine around and I find it to still be too heavy..But the hand truck is cheap $35 +or- at harbor frieght and should last for many years the main thing I do is always let them dry out really dry before trying to move them
Dry these days is not a problem ~ lol. The ground would have to be dry too or the hand truck would get bogged down. And I do agree with you on the plastic containers,Grits.
Hrp50 ~ I still have it in my head that a plant that is kept in a pot should not be upgraded to a pot that is too large due to roots rotting. Perhaps if you use a fast draining soil it would be o.k. but then you will be worrying about keeping the trees hydrated. Must be some information out there about the correct sizes.
I am about ready to move one of my garden planters it has sweet banana peppers and I am waiting for it to dry maybe will send a pic or two of the maving when I am done ,it will be moved close to 200feet..My front yard is just colorless at this time of year so am just putting this in it for show,,Tired of BLAH
I moved it but no pix just too hot to stay out any longer that I have to,and I will say it was not all that easy I am male 185lbs and reasonably fit and on here we mostly have no idea of the gender of anyone that we don't actually know but it is for most practical purposes a two person job
here is a pic of it in the new location
Thanks Corey. Very nice idea for inexpensive and very heavy planters that won't blow away or blow over in the 60 mile per hour winds we had this spring. I think that they will work for my 3 blueberry bushes since they probably need some cold hours during the winter and I can cover them with something if it gets down into the teens so they would not need to be moved. But they are currently in 18 gallon containers, so would 12’ x 12’ x 12’ be large enough? I would still like to know what size containers I need for my citrus trees and pomegranate tree and other trees that I may buy in the future, like maybe a Dwarf Cavendish banana, which would need to be moved into the garage at times.
podster
You're right that it might be a problem, but I would make sure that the container had sufficient drainage holes to prevent that from happening.
This message was edited Jul 21, 2011 3:51 PM