Variety selection, care tips and more

Choice of tree species

In principle, every tree can be cultivated in a pot, as it has been with the bonsai is made in Japan. However, some species are much easier to keep in confined spaces than others, which is not only due to their natural needs, but also to their growth behavior. Species are not always particularly vigorous cut compatibleso that an artificial Keeping it small difficult to succeed. If you don't want to or can't invest too much care and effort in your potted tree, it is best to choose a species that has been specially grown for planters. These include, for example

• Columnar trees, for example column fruit, Säulenthuja u. a.
• Dwarf varieties of common species, for example the dwarf gosh (Fraxinus excelsior 'Abiona')
• by nature rather small species and varieties, for example the Boxwood (Buxus)
• or noble varieties grafted on poorly growing rootstocks, often found in fruit trees

For example, the following are well suited for a pot culture:

• Common yew (Taxus baccata), hardy
• Dwarf pine (Pinus mugo), hardy
• Juniper (Juniperus communis), hardy
• Star-magnolia (Magnolia stellata), not hardy
• Purple magnolia (Magnolia liliiflora), not hardy
• Japanese cake tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum), hardy
• Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), hardy
• various citrus trees (Citrus), not hardy
• Olive tree (Olea europaea), not hardy
• Pomegranate (Punica granatum), not hardy
• Fig tree (Ficus carica), not hardy
• Willow (Salix), hardy
• PagodaDogwood (Cornus controversa), hardy

Tree species that develop taproots, such as oak, pine and fir, are very difficult to care for in a planter.

Choosing the planter

For a future potted tree, if possible, you should not buy bare-root goods, but rather young trees that have already been grown in containers. These are already used to the bucket culture and were not dug out of the open and repotted in a planter. A planter is ideally sized when it offers about twice as much space as the size of the root ball. It shouldn't be bigger either, otherwise the tree will put a lot of strength into the root growth. If possible, choose a pot made of natural materials, such as clay or ceramics, as the water builds up very quickly in plastic pots.

care

Proper care will keep the tree healthy in the pot, but it will depend on the specific needs of the species and variety chosen. Nevertheless, some general statements can be made.

Watering and fertilizing

Planted trees forgive one or the other care mistake - potted trees do not. These depend on your care for better or worse, with particular attention being paid to the supply of water and nutrients. Make sure that

• no waterlogging occurs, v. a. through good drainage
• the root ball does not dry out
• there is no nutritional deficiency
• but also no oversupply

Over-fertilization can be achieved through the use of Slow release fertilizers impede.

Overwinter

Hardy trees can stay outside during the winter months, you should only

• Place on an insulating base made of wood or styrofoam
• wrap the pot with fleece or foil
• and move the pot together with the tree against the wall of a house

On the other hand, not hardy woody plants should overwinter frost-free but cool at a maximum of 10 ° C. Shedding species can also be placed in dark rooms, evergreens need sufficient light even in winter.