skip to main content

Repotting big plants?

14 years ago

Several weeks ago, while my fig trees were slumming on the third floor, my Siamese got trapped on that floor for the day. Resourceful guy that he is, he used the pots as a litter box. (Better that than the carpet!)

I've since brought the figss down to the second floor sunporch, part of their migration dopwn to the front porch outside. But the cats seem -- overly interested in the pots, and I've had to put foil around the soil.

I'm concerned when I put the trees outside that the feral cats in the neighborhood will also feel the need to mark the trees, so I'm thinking of repotting the plants and flushing the soil.

Any tips on repotting big plants like this? And while I'm at it, should I put them in larger pots? FWIW they are 3-4 year old Celeste figs.

{{gwi:769978}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

bjs496
14 years ago
Instead of repotting now, put the container into a larger container and flood. Repeat a few times to dilute the urine. Put the tree in a cage to keep the other cats away then repot while the tree is dormant. At the end of this year, the tree should be ready for a 10-15 gallon container.

~james
alison
Original Author
14 years ago
Sounds good!! (And gives me the ssummer to find a nice pair of pots I can afford!)
Related Discussions
not repotting the big jade, cutting it back instead
Q
Comments (3)
Excellent! That's what I hoped you'd do! I think the plant, from root to leaf, is going to thank you for the trim. Was the balance of the plant, in regards to tipping, improved? Re: rooting jade DON'T water. After you make cuttings, let the cut-ends callous over (dry, somewhat whitish). You can literally let them sit in an empty pot (not in direct sunlight) until they shoot out little white roots, then you can pot them - and give them water after about a week and a half. Or, you can pot the cuttings directly, once they're calloused over, and wait for growth to begin giving the cuttings water. Most importantly, don't begin watering until the cuttings have viable roots. Without roots, they can't use the water. Josh
...See More
Repotted my Lowe's DR. (big pics)
Q
Comments (11)
Beautiful!!!!! Don't worry about the yellowing leaves.. It is just adjusting to the repotting. I loved how you showed the different sides of this great DR. Your container is quite lovely as well , Pretty work! Laura
...See More
Should I repot this big guy?
Q
Comments (9)
Inna - Rob's varieties are mostly semi-minis or minis - so repotting should be done every 4 months. Saves you from a really long neck. The way you described it - is what is the easiest solution. You need to remove all the bloom - so you will not have any bloom for another month and half until it roots and catches up. But if you are worried that you can kill it - and things happen - you can remove the bottom leaves and wrap the bare stem with a sphagnum moss. Keep the plant in a humid environment - like in a baggie - it will send roots in a sphagnum moss - and a month later you can just cut it off at the soil line and pot it - sphagnum and all - in a new soil. The leftover stem stump in an old pot will send you new suckers eventually - and you can cut them off and root and increase your collection of Rob's Cherry Soda (or whatever you have). Good Luck Irina
...See More
Re-pot big old lemon tree
Q
Comments (9)
I agree with mikerno_1micha, though I wouldn't do it any later than father's day. I usually repot my citrus after the very first flush of new growth in the spring, provided weather permits it being outside for the warm season. If you haven't root pruned it lately, I'd recommend doing that as well. You'll want to completely replace all of the soil with something fast draining(not miracle grow citrus/cactus mix, too much sand). There are many mixes folks here recommend, search for gritty mix or 511 mix. I usually use a high quality potting soil and amend it with perlite, pine bark. I'd also love to see a picture. I have a lemon tree that's pushing 10 years myself and I've enjoyed caring for it over the years. I have my first flower ever about to open too. Good luck!
...See More
sprouts_honor
14 years ago
Last season, the neighborsÂ cats were marking their territory on my fig containers. A friend told me at Easter to put moth balls on the soil and insisted a cat won't come within several feet of them. I hope it works. I too would like to repot because of the smell. Ordered two Smart Pots and am wondering if I should wait until I harvest brebas that are about an inch+ in diameter.
Jennifer
dieseler
14 years ago
Hi alison,
i see where you typed about finding pots you can afford.
You may or may not be able to strike a deal with a nearby nursery as some recycle the pots that they grow larger plants and or trees in or have extra's they dont use who knows.
The ones by me in illinois just wont part with them ive tried.
Martin
alison
Original Author
14 years ago
Good idea! I just need to find a way to pretty them up -- the figs spend the summer on the railing of my front porch, so I like them to look nice.
wabikeguy
14 years ago
Check the big box stores too.

I scored 30 pots at Lowes a couple of months ago. They had thrown away a bunch of dying plants and there were at least 50 plastic two gallon pots in a shallow dumpster right outside of the garden center. They said I could have them. I washed them out with a bleach solution, let them dry in the sun for a couple of days, and they were good to go.
jmsimpson9
14 years ago
We put rocks of various sizes in the pots. The cats couldnt scratch the soil up and the various sized ones allowed lots of air movement.
thisisme
14 years ago
Around January one of my local nurseries re-pots a bunch of their 15 gallon trees into 24" tree pots. Suddenly a lot their better 15 gallon trees that sell for $ 29.95 are in bigger containers and are sold for $ 199.95. I try to buy the biggest and nicest 15 gallon trees from them in November-December. Anyways they have a bunch of the really nice thick and sturdy 15 gallon tree pots left over every January. As a regular customer they sell them to me at $ 1.00 each until they are gone which is a real steal. They tend to sell out fast though. I think most nurseries do the same thing though the timing may be different.

Related Stories

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 5 Ways to Plant a Big Kiss of Red on Your Landscape

By LuAnn Brandsen

Ignite passion in your garden beds and container plantings with flowers and foliage in this dynamic color

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Take-Home Planting Ideas From Hawaii's Big Island

Bring the tropical spirit of Hawaii to a mainland garden — for a summer or even longer

HOUSEPLANTS One Pot, One Big Shot of the Tropics

By creative jewish mom.com

Give your rooms exotic flair in a single stroke. Tall Kentia palm fits the tropical bill beautifully

PLANTING IDEAS Big Foliage for Small Spaces

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Use bold, large-leaved plants to create intriguing contrast in a garden where they’re least expected

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Spring Blossoms Burst Into the Big City

By Living Small: City & Small Space Consulting

Warm weather has lured busloads of gorgeous flowers to New York, from shy buds to full-blown blooms

HOUSEPLANTS 8 Essentials for Healthy Indoor Plants

Houseplants add so much to our homes — and can thrive when grown in the right conditions. Keep these tips in mind

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Liatris Squarrosa

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

This big-bloomed, drought-tolerant native deserves a place in many butterfly gardens

GARDENING GUIDES Make Sure You Read This Before Buying New Plants

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Follow these 10 plant-selection tips to avoid buyer’s remorse

CONTAINER GARDENS Freshen Up the Bath With Lush and Healthy Plants

By Laura Gaskill

Learn how to choose and care for plants that will do well in your space

HOUSEPLANTS 10 Top Plants to Grow Indoors

Brighten a room and clean the air with a houseplant that cascades artfully, stretches toward the ceiling or looks great on a wall

Sponsored

T. Walton Carr, Architects

Franklin County's Preferred Architectural Firm | Best of Houzz Winner

More Discussions

Hello everyone...

1

Spring is here and fig season just in front the gates

3

Winter Fig Tree concerns

3