Have you ever thought about having potted trees? If you don't have a garden, but you do have a patio or terrace that you want to give it a "green touch", having a potted tree is not something crazy. Although due to the dimensions that they reach once adults, it is very important to give them specific care so that they can live better.
This technique would be halfway between a Bonsai and a tree that was planted on the ground. They don't need so many cared for like Bonsai, but it is essential to take into account a series of things that we will comment on below.
Flower pot
We'll start with the basics: flower pot. The bigger it is, the more the roots can grow and therefore the tree will gain in height. That is why we will choose a large pot, but not too much, because it may be that if we acquire one much larger than the one our tree already has, it will grow too large and there will come a time when we cannot control its growth so easily.
The material with which it is made will depend on its location and how we want to decorate the patio or terrace. What we should avoid are plastic pots that are not reinforced; that is, the cheapest. Why? They are economical precisely for that reason, because they are not prepared to be exposed to the sun, and after a few months or years they can break. Important if we choose a porcelain one that has drainage holes.
Location
Interior or exterior? Shadow or light? It will depend on the species, but as a general rule they will put in full sun outdoors or in a room where a lot of natural light enters. If we have doubts, we will consult the professionals of the nursery.
Substratum
From the good choice of substratum the health of our tree will depend to a great extent. That is why we will choose a suitable one for the species of our plant. For example: if we have a maple, a Gardenia or an azalea, the substrate must have a pH between 4 and 6; while if we have a carob tree or a wild olive tree, the pH should be higher than 6. It is a piece of information that must be indicated on the bags themselves.
Remember: the most expensive is not always the best quality. If it does not have some type of draining material (such as perlite) we better discard it. Ideally, it would have peat, organic matter, perlite, and if it is fertilized, our tree will appreciate it.
Pruning and compost
To keep a potted tree the pruning it is something essential. The pruning of both branches and roots will be carried out -as a general rule- after winter and before sprouting. We will reduce the length of the longest roots and branches that grow too tall.
As for the fertilizer, we will choose a slow release one, preferably one that has a duration of six months. This way the tree will absorb it little by little and its growth rate will not be altered.
What do you think of these tips? If you know more, feel free to comment on them.
Hi Monica, I'm Vicky and I love your page. I congratulate you on this complete one ... I want to start with a small greenhouse from home and I'm taking tips from yours ..
Hi Vicky.
First tell you that I am part of the editorial team, along with María Alm. We are glad you like the page.
Thanks for following us! All the best.
Hi! I have a jacaranda tree, for now it is very small but I would love to have it in a pot. I did not understand pruning the roots, that is, do you have to dig it up and prune the roots?
Hi Ok.
Indeed. If you have it planted in the ground, you would have to remove it at the end of winter, and prune the thickest root you can see, which is the taproot, which serves as an anchor to the plant.
A greeting.
Great directions, they gave me a tiny jacaranda. I need to know if I can plant it in a transparent glass pot, my idea is to keep it small and inside I have a lot of light, not only direct and the environment is temperate. On the terrace there is a lot of wind sun and in winter it is very cold. Is it wrong to leave it inside? Thanks
Hi Claudia.
The jacaranda cannot be inside, nor in a glass pot. It needs light and to feel the passage of the seasons, and the roots cannot have stagnant water because they would rot.
A greeting.
Hello
Thank you for your publication, it is a great help for me!
I tell you, do you think that all these recommendations would go well with a Hackberry tree? I am in Missouri, United States and I know that it is a tree very desired by birds for its fruit, so I would like to have a medium-sized one that you could advise me
Thank you
Hi Jennifer.
From what I have seen, the hackberry is hackberry, that is, a tree Celtis. If so, it is not a suitable plant to have in a pot, since it does not tolerate pruning.
However, there are other plants that attract animals and that can be potted, such as buddleia, lobelia or the honeysuckle.
Greetings.
Thank you very much I loved your advice, VERY CLEAR, thank you very much
We are glad you liked them, Rosana. 🙂
Good evening, I have a Cina Cina in a pot that is about 2 meters high, just in 1 year I will have room to plant it in a patio, what advice could you give me to take care of it while it is still in the pot?
Hi Rodolfo.
I see that by cina cina you mean the Parkinsonia aculeata, Is that so?
If so, these trees want direct sun and moderate watering. I leave you his plug.
If you have doubts, tell me.
regards
Hola!
I have an avocado in a medium pot, but it is already over 30cm tall. Can I move it to a larger pot or do I need to put it in the ground?
Hi Fer.
If you live in an area where the weather is warm all year round, and you have a garden or orchard, it would be best to plant it in the ground. But if not, you can move it to a new pot. But check first if the roots come out of the holes, and even if this is not the case, take it out of the pot a little. If the ground bread does not crumble when you do it, it means that you need more space.
Greetings.