I have just bought an 'Opal' plum tree from Lidl which is suitable to be planted in a container. What would be best to pot it into? I should imagine it will need a rather large container so will I be able to use gen purpose compost or does it need to be more 'specialist'?
You need to have more soil based compost..if you go any of the DIY places..eg.wickes..they sell top soil mix that with some multipurpose compost and you have more substantial planting mix..other than that you could go garden centre and buy John Innes no3 compost (for shrubs and trees)..but it is expensive.
If you are going to go ahead growing plum in container..you will need to look something like half a barrel size container..otherwise you will struggle to look after the tree..all that watering once the tree 'takes off'. And not only that..you will need plenty of 'weight' for the rootball to keep the tree upright during gales..so soil based 'compost' and large container will provide that ;)
Don't forget to give your tree some Blood, fish and bone meal during growing season..handfull once a month should do fine.. ;)
goodlife, does Blood, fish and bonemeal apply to all fruit tree's in containers?
Generally yes..although..after couple of years any stone fruit, like plums and cherriers..may need some lime too.
BFB is all round fertilizer..some heavy cropping trees may need more than that..but you don't go far wrong with that ;)
Thank you goodlife, should I start feeding it now? It's got it's blossom on and looks quite pretty, feel for sure there will be a frost though and kill it off but would like to do my best for it this year.
Yep..season has started and you may feed ;D
Ohh..blossom on..mine are still on bud..but they are showing twinkle of white so mine are not that far behind..can't wait..everything will look so beautiful..umm..even me ;D ;D
I would not feed after August though..tree is starting to 'wind down' then and won't need nutrients that much. ;)
If your trees are not producing much fruit (once established) and there is lush growth on then there might be need for different ratio feed..but as for first few years at least BFB is fine.
Trees in containers are so dependant on our care so getting balance with food and water can be tricky....go luck for you all..just remember, the work you putting to the care this year won't show until next...so nothing is fixed in a hurry..