Well, what are you actually planning on growing? It would probably be easiest to keep them in small clay pots, which you could stick in the area during the summer.

Hey there everyone. Thanks for the replies! Ken: Well I was mostly just trying to help them get answers to their questions. I know for me personally I'd start a new thread for a question like that as opposed to burying in an old thread. As for loving them too much, well, I definitely am not one to do that! haha. as it is I have been doing Miracle Grow as I said, normal strength, once to at most twice per growing season. Usually just as the buds fully open, then once in mid summer. I do it about 1/2 strength. As you can see the results . I may water once or twice to the point of water coming out of the bottom, but then again it is a very porous mix that I'm using too so even that is not alot of water. I don't wanter a whole lot honestly. If there is reasonable rain I cut the watering way back. I check them about once a week or so and if they are DRY 2" or so down into the mix then ill do a watering. The main reason I even asked about ferts was mainly to gather thoughts on using a conifer specific type of fert as opposed to the general, all plant nature of MG. I suppose though that sticking with what has worked is my best bet. Will: Thank you! I've always admired how great yours look in containers as well. It's shown me that it can be done and done well and that's what I'm going for. I 'm going to upgrade a few others as well. Most have (or had) been in their new homes for 3 years now. While some were probably fine I like to err on the side of giving more room than not having enough. I think that is how I killed the horstmann blue dwarf, by NOT upgrading it fast enough. (ive killed a few others as well from not enough attention to the containers.) Granted it was a larger plant though. The Picea Omorika 'Bruns' was at its limit. One more growing season in that pot and I likely would not have been able to get it out of the ground (the roots were well into the ground through the bottom of the pot) and / or it would have died from not enough space / dessication. This upgrade for that one should last 3-4 years, and may be its last upgrade before needing to go into the ground. The P. Mugo Fastigiata are getting separated into their own containers to give them a bit more room. However nothing near as large of a change as what I did for the P. Omorika. They are much smaller plants in general and I think have adapted to more cramped spaces among rocks high in the mountains. I also think that the P. Sylvestris 'Gold Coin' ( if it makes it through it s scale infestation which is fairly bad) and the P. Strobus 'Elf' will likely be fine for another few years in their new homes as they have PLENTY of room and are not exactly fast growers. Josh: Yea I think I am going to keep doing what I have been since my results have been great to this point. As I said I was just looking for opinions on possibly using a conifer specific fert to maybe boost / enhance them a little bit. But hey, if it aint broke don't fix it right? Thanks again all! As always I'd love to see more photos of container conifers!

I GUESS on some of those islands there's a dry side of the island and a rainy side. When I was young. My Grandpa showed us all a slide show of his Hawaii trip. 8 or 10 adults and 9 children. I remember a few of us kids saying"". Oh no. Not another flower picture grampa. " And here I am ha,ha, 40 years later looking at flowers in Hawaii. I love it. Thank-you Please Please show me more. Maybe I can dig out some of his slides.

@aakajx, thanks for asking! I like my Gymonocalycium the most because he's the little guy who started my love for cacti and succulents. When he bloomed I was taken by surprise and fell in love! Here he is now: Next I like my Crassula Ovata "Gollum" because he's my only succulent with tree-like branches: Last but not the least is my Portulacaria Afra Variegata. Why? Because it's my first Variegata. She may be common but because of her I learned about variegated plants: There!! UPDATE photo on my Bougainvilleas.. Just two days of sun and look at them bloom anew! The rightmost pot has white flowers. He's a bit late to the party but I'm sure he's perfectly fine and will flower soon again!