Growing a Gingko Biloba 'Jade Butterfly' in Container

I have a gingko biloba 'Jade Butterfly'. It is currently around 3' tall. It has apparently never been pruned because the leaves grow all the way to the ground It also has a sucker branch growing from close to the ground. In addition, its leader was broken off at the nursery. I am currently working on developing a new leader by tying up a central branch to a bamboo stake. I understand gingkos are slow growers, and this particular cultivar is relatively dwarf I would like to plant in a very large container. Would it do ok in a container? How long do you think I could keep it in a container? I really wouldn't mind if it kept in a weeping form rather than a traditional tree shape. Would that work? Or should I start working on removing the lower branches. Any suggestions?

I'll post pictures tomorrow. It's too dark to take any tonight.

I would like to see pics of different sides before I comment about pruning. 'Jade Butterflies' isn't a weeping cultivar...is it? I am thinking it may do well in a very large container.

Here's a nice-looking gingko in a container.
http://2il.org/amazing-bonsai/ginkgo-colorful-bonsai-tree/
Be sure to get back to us in about 30 years with how it turns out!

Lol Wee, ye of little faith.

This info is from Mobot;
"Family: Ginkgoaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Height: 6.00 to 12.00 feet
Spread: 3.00 to 9.00 feet
‘Jade Butterflies’ is a slow-growing, dwarf, male tree that grows in an upright, vase-shaped form to only 4-6’ tall over the first 10 years. However, some authorities estimate this tree may reach as much as 10-12’ tall over the first 10 years."

If properly taken care of I suspect it should be good for at least 10 years in a container.

I don't grow that particular variety and none in containers but I can attest as to how excruciatingly slow they are. Mine are planted inground, part shade, z9a and they are extremely easy care.

I have not doubt you will not need to change container size for a VERY long time. In fact, depending on the material of container, you may have to transplant b/c of container, not b/c of gingko.

Ok, here are some pictures of my gingko. A couple look sideways, but I'm not sure why, and I can't delete them to add different pictures. I'll post more. As you can see it is currently in the ground, but I really want to put it in a pot, so it doesn't get lost in the flowerbed, and I can move it around.

More pictures.

SBounds, was it in a pot prior to being planted in the ground? How long has it been in the ground?

It was in a nursery pot. I panted it in the ground last fall. I did read they are easy to transplant.

Did you plant it at the same soil level that it was in the pot? In the 3rd pic from the first set, it looks as if a branch was buried.

You're doing a great job retraining a leader. If the Ginko were mine I'd leave it were it is but since you want to move it, I'd remove that lowest branch near the trunk in pic #3 when you dig it up to expose the attachment. Prune (cut back) the branches that are competing length-wise with the new leader (the next set down). Cut those branches below the leader so they are two thirds the length of the leader.

I would re-examine next year for more pruning and possibly remove the lower branches then. I would also set the tree in shade for a few days after potting to help it overcome shock.

If anyone else has suggestions, please add them.

Looks like a healthy tree; should withstand the move OK.
I agree w/ removing the low limb - I suspect it's a grafted plant,
don't want a revertant sucker.

I did plant it at the same soil level that it was in the pot. That branch at soil level grew since it has been in the ground. I assumed it was a sucker. The tallest branch growing vertically behind the leader is attached to the main trunk below the horizontal branches but not at ground level. Should it be removed where it is attached to the trunk, or is that one of the branches that should be pruned to 2/3 the length of the leader? When you say to prune the branches that are competing lengthwise with the new leader, are you talking about the ones that are growing vertically? Should anything be done to the branches growing horizontally? I assume I should use potting soil when I plant it in the pot.

I'd use a bark-based soil-less mix such as Fafard or MetroMix or Pro Mix.
Beware of some of the mixes which are meant for flower boxes which retain too much water.

You're right SBounds, it is a sucker and you planted it correctly into the ground. Planting at the existing soil level is really important.

Any branch below the leader should not be close to or as long as the leader (including vertical and horizontal ones). You'd want the leader 1/3 longer than any other branch. The reason for this is to slow the diameter growth of the competing or possibly competing branches. The leader then gets the advantage and grows like a real leader.

Ok, I'm ready to pull the trigger and pot up my gingko, but I have one more question. It seems to have two trunks. The one coming off the main trunk is not as large, but is definitely larger than a normal branch. Should I remove it or leave it alone?

At this stage, I'd leave it as insurance. If something happens to your leader, you have a backup. When the tree is looking well established, maybe you can prune it.

I can't tell for sure, but if that's a graft mark on the trunk an inch or so above ground level,
that would indicate the lateral branch is coming from the rootstock and may not be your Jade Butterflies cultivar, in which case it should be removed. Otherwise the more vigorous rootstock will outcompete your cultivar.

I agree with Wee, it looks like a graft line and the branch below the graft line looks like it has slightly different leaves (without the 'butterfly split'). If you want a reverted variety, one of the parentage of your cultivar then air layer it to grow some roots of it's own and cut it off. If you don't want another Ginko Biloba then cut it off just beyond the collar so it will heal nicely.

Either way, cut it where depicted in the photo (I had to briefly borrow your photo, but you can have it back now).

Sorry I did not look at pic long enough to notice branch is beneath graft line. No sense keeping it.

Vossner, I don't know for sure if it is a graft, it just looks like one. We are only going by images at this point. SBounds2 will have to verify the information. Who knows you could be right...take that 'sorry' back. Thanks for contributing!

I'm not sure I know where the graft line is. Is it the indention around the main trunk or the knobby looking bulge below the indention? What would be the risk of just cutting it off?

I think the graft is the knobby ridge. The indentation would suggest something wrapped around the trunk to hold the graft in place while the rootstock and the cultivar fused. The only thing to consider is not damaging the main trunk when cutting that branch off, I would just cut it off.

a little OT but there is a good side to grafts that are not "neat". The end owner has little trouble IDing it, whereas, on plants expertly grafted, it is impossible, after a while to recognize.

Vossner, I totally agree!

Ok, I've transferred my gingko to a pot and wanted to show you the results. I'm very pleased with the results although I think I got a little carried away on pruning some of the lower branches. I welcome your advice on anything else I need to do. I also wanted to thank all of you for sharing your expertise so generously. I'm confident my transplant will be much more successful due to your help

Thanks for sharing the end result, it looks beautiful SBounds, I love the pot you chose, it's so in sync with your specimen. Good job and good luck! I'm sure everyone was more than pleased to help.