EverGreen in a Pot

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davekirk Potomac Falls, VA(Zone 6b) Jun 02, 2003

Okay, we've had a couple of evergreens (will attach picture) in large pots on our deck for years. The pots are falling apart, and my wife has picked up a couple of new pots that she really likes. Here's the catch ... while slightly wider, they are also shorter.

Here's the dilemna:
- Currently the root system coming out of the old pot a good 16 inches deep.
- The new pot (by the time I've added the suggested 3 inches of gravel) only supports about 9 inches top to bottom (leaving a few inches on the top).
- My wife really likes these new pots from a size and looks perspective.
- I'm not sure of the exact type of everygreen or what type of root system it has... but I do know the current roots reach to the bottom of the current pot.

Will the evergreen survive if I were to lop off almost half of the current dirt/root system?

I've included a picture of current and future pots. The difference is bigger than it looks due to the 3 inches of gravel in the new pots (none in the old pot).

Thanks for ANY HELP!

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davekirk Potomac Falls, VA(Zone 6b) Jun 02, 2003

A close up of the evergreen itself ...

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darius So.App.Mtns., United States(Zone 5b) Jun 03, 2003

Many years ago, I used to do bonsai with evergreens. I seem to recall you could cut as much as 2/3 of the root ball, but needed to soak the plant in a pot of water for an hour or so first, then wash off the soil and trim carefully before re-potting.

You might check some bonsai sites to be sure...

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Joan Belfield, ND(Zone 4a) Jun 11, 2003

If it were me, I'd plant that evergreen out in your gorgeous yard where I see you have several others, and start over with nurturing another one in the new pot.

Unless you are out of room to plant it in your yard?

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