Over-potting results in large volumes of stagnant potting mix. This can lead to root rot quite easily. As a matter of fact, over-potting isn't recommended for any kind of container grown plant for the same reason.

What about potting up into an appropriate size, then placing the container inside your large one...supported by something that raises it to the correct level....perhaps an inverted container or something. Or, you could fill the large pot with Styrofoam peanuts to the proper level, place your plant (in its proper container) on top, then mulch over the peanuts with wood chips.

When deciding upon the right container to move up to, select something one size large...maybe two, if the plant has a very vigorous root system.

Wow!!!!!! You took the words right out my mouth rhizo!! Bravo. Great Idea!

Thank you! This totally explains the WHY to me. I was at the nursery again today asking questions. They said I could easily use a half wine barrel and mix the Gardeners Gold with wood chips for drainage. And they also said I could plant herbs or other items in the same pot which can help eliminate the overwatering.

Are they telling me just to sell me more stuff. Or is there some truth to that?

Plants have defense systems that they put to work when 'forced' into being confined to close to each other. Trees are often the ones to suffer. I'd not plant anything with your citrus. Adding pine bark will not solve the problem, either.

Another reason: your large planting won't be permanent. Potting mixes, which are 'typically' comprised mostly of peat, break down fairly quickly. This very natural activity results in smaller and smaller particles which, over time, will clog up the works in a good system. It's essential to your plants' health that the potting mix is ultra porous and coarse textured.

Speaking of which...is 'Gardener's Gold' a compost based material? If so, then I strongly recommend that you do NOT use it as a potting medium. Great stuff for the planting bed outside, but not in containers. Even if mixed with wood chips. :-(

Honestly and truly, your citrus will do much better in a smaller container than what you wish for. It will grow faster, too.

Hi Rhizo, Thanks for your information and help.

Gardener's Gold is a premium organic potting soil. Here's their catalog description:

"Gardeners Gold Potting Soil:
A rich, all natural blend of finely screened, composted fir bark fines, worm castings, real topsoil, redwood peat moss, chicken manure, and sand. pH balanced with dolomite and oyster shell limes. Rich in long-lasting plant nutrients. Water saving formula. Provides excellent drainage. Good for all indoor or outdoor container plants."

So if you wouldn't use that, what should I use?

And here's another question... the dwarfs I bought are 3.4 gallons. About 11" across. What is the ideal size pot to move up to first?

Or should I just put them in the ground?

Well, as 'delicious' as that potting soil sounds, it's not something that will perform well in a container. At least, not for very long. If you could use just the composted fir bark fines, and heave the rest of it into the garden, perFECTo! ;-) The other ingredients would result in a firmly packed, fine textured, slow-to-drain, clogged up system. In my humble opinion.

Even a good quality (soil-less) potting medium with lots of added perlite and hopefully some bark fines would be a much, much better mix than your Gardener's Gold. I use a mix that is mostly bark, perlite, Turface MVP, and maybe some granite grit (turkey grit). But I strongly believe that most folks can do just fine with an amended potting medium, as long as it's peat based (soil-less).

Regarding the pot size, you have some leeway with regards to the potting up. I'd say something around around the 7 gallon size, which should be about 14 inches in diameter at the top.

Please know that gardeners have been experimenting with container mixes for generations. Each may find something that is deemed the ideal medium. If you learn a little about how root systems and soil systems must function together at all times, then it becomes a bit easier to pick the ingredients. Aim for porosity! Your potting medium must have plenty of permanent, large pore spaces or that root system won't thrive.

I've grown citrus in containers for years. Go for it!

Rhizo, thanks for the info.
But now I'm completely confused, since the "Gardener's Gold" says right on the bag---and it's what my independent nursery swears by---for planting in pots.

So would you say the same things about "potting mixes" in general... or is there a premixed potting mix on the market that IS ideal for citrus? That is, for someone like me that doesn't want to play chemist and soil chef and mix in a bunch of different things separately.

And, if I want the beneficial elements from the gardners gold but add more permanent drainage spaces, could I just add in a bunch of perlite?

Thanks again.

Hey Rhizo and others,
I went to my local OSH and asked the nursery person there... and she said she is having huge success with their "Sungold Organic Potting Soil". I read the label and the first ingredient is Peat Moss, and it has coir, rice hulls, worm castings, guano, and some other things. I don't recall seeing bark on the list of ingredients though. She said it drains great for her citrus and she didn't think I would need to add bark or perlite to that mix.

Would you agree?

I think I'll try that instead.