Advice for growing a plum in a container?

13 years ago

Hello friends,

I am new to the forum, but I have found many interesting conversations about soil- I never knew that there were so many variations! I confess that I have been using commercial potting soil for my containers, but I think that I will try some of your recipes and see what happens!

My question, if you can help, is this. I ordered a Chicago Fig (hardy to my zone, but doomed to be in a container and overwintered inside). What I ended up, though, was an All Red, Purple leaf Plum. Apparently they switched boxes, and sent my fig to another customer. They don't want it back (too expensive to reship). I believe that it is a Japanese variety, and it is full sized, not a dwarf or semi dwarf. Right now it is in a quart sized pot, and very healthy.

So, here is my dilemma. I have a very small yard (less than 400 sq feet). I don't have any place to grow this plum in the ground, but I have wanted one forever. Could I grow it in a pot for a few years, or even indefinitely, and still have a healthy plant? I don't even really care if I get a high yield of fruit (though it would be nice). I just love the showy flowers in the spring, and it would be so nice to have one, even if it is only for a short time.

So, should I find the biggest pot that I can find, mix up some potting soil and try my luck? Can you advise me on how to give it the best fighting chance? I have only grown tomatoes in containers, so I don't have a lot of experience with this kind of growing. Any help would be really appreciated- even if you just point me in the right direction! I have been searching the archives, but I haven't found a lot of info about this particular situation.

Thanks!

Jenny in PA, Zone 6

Featured Answer

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

13 years ago

What's this "Only for a short time" biznass? Hi, Jenny. Welcome.

You can keep a plum tree happy in a container as long as you care to if you're willing to learn a few techniques that are required to keep trees happy in pots for extended periods. You'll need to learn how to change the soil and prune the roots, in addition to pruning the canopy.

How about if I direct you to a thread devoted to caring for trees in containers? See link below.

Hmmmm ...... I guess that's not going to work. I've been finding sooo many threads not available via the search function lately. Does anyone have the link to that thread? I think it was called "Trees in Containers".

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Comments (6)

jojosplants
13 years ago
Is it this one Al~??

JJ

Here is a link that might be useful: Trees in Containers.
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
13 years ago
What a peach you are! ;o) Thanks, JJ!

YPA
jojosplants
13 years ago
Hello Jenny,
Welcome!

Glad to help a friend , Al~
And being fairly new myself, can understand others needing help.
:)

YF JJ..
pghgardnewbie
Original Author
13 years ago
Ahhh- perfect! I don't know why that thread didn't pop up in my search, so thanks so much for pointing me in that direction- it is just what I needed. I just got through the tree thread, and am working on the half dozen soil ones that I also bookmarked.

Thank you, too, for the kind welcome. Though I have now had a few years of experience with my first garden, every time I stop in at GW I am struck by just how little I know. Coming from someone that has grown up with big box store potting soil, this is, quite literally, a whole new world for me; given all the new possibilities, I am really excited to try my hand at it!

As I mentioned, I have a very small yard (and two small boys that need as much room to run as they can get), but I have a number of places where I can use this process- and I love the idea that I can have varieties that I had previously excluded for lack of space. The process of root trimming sounds pretty straightforward, and I am sure that, with a little practice, I will become quite comfortable hacking away at my poor trees (gulp!). It doesn't look like I will need to trim for some time (nor is it the right time to do it), so I will concentrate on getting the soil up to snuff for the moment.

Looking forward to whatever comes next...

Jenny in PA
jojosplants
13 years ago
Hi Jenny and Al~

I had a hard time finding the link too. I think it was more the search engines , than it was us..LOL! I found it burried in a soil thread.
I now have it in my clippings. ;)

Jenny,
were alot alike.
I too grew up with big box soils, have a small yard, gravel to boot.. and a son. I have lots of containers!

I'm trying Al's mixes for the first time this season too. I'm just starting to get my plants settled in, and am looking forward to a great year!

I've had my husband read plenty of Al's posts and look at tons of pics of others using his soils, and he too is anxious to get things going.

I have several fruit trees i'm trying this year and citrus.

I too am a little nervous about the root pruning.. But like you said, we have a little time to get used to the idea..LOL!

You'll find Al to be one of the most patient person you've ever met, so we'll manage just fine. ;)

No worries about asking for help. :)

Keep us posted! :)

Best wishes!
JoJo

Advice for growing a plum in a container?

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

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jojosplants

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Advice for growing a plum in a container?

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

Comments (6)

jojosplants

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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

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