\n\tRecently I was attracted by a bay tree in a large container outside the entrance of a hotel. From a distance it seemed in very good condition but on closer examination there were signs that it was becoming pot bound.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tThere was a pool of rainwater standing on the surface, a sure sign of inadequate drainage. Bay needs good drainage and I think that this tree should be re-potted into a larger container making sure that there is plenty of drainage in the form of crocks plus a free-draining compost mix, (50:50 potting compost and grit.)\n<\/p>\n
\n\tOver the years I’ve planted a variety of trees and shrubs in containers. At one time if I came across a seedling, I couldn’t resist growing it on – from horse chestnut to rowan, from conifers to hazel and I have learned to make sure that I have kept re-potting into larger containers and that the vital drainage is a priority. I must admit that I’ve had to chop up a plastic pot to release a shrub that had become completely pot-bound and at one time I remember having to smash up a ceramic pot. That mistake cost me dearly- some of the most attractive ceramics are quite expensive. Now I make sure to only use plastic.\n<\/p>\n
\n\tI have a 10 year old Acer palmatum which I would like to keep in a pot for as long as I can and it’s already been re-potted several times. Obviously some of my trees and shrubs have reached the stage where keeping them in pots is no longer viable. These are planted here and there around the village and have thrived – notably in upper Walston Road around the Pound Lane area. Footnote: You may remember my mentioning the squirrel and the coconut. Well I did get another coconut and it didn’t take long for the squirrel or one of his mates to spirit both halves away- this time within 24 hours! There was no sign of it on the ground so how he manages to cart it away is something of a mystery!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Recently I was attracted by a bay tree in a large container outside the entrance of a hotel. From a distance it seemed in very good condition but on closer examination there were signs that it was becoming pot bound. There was a pool of rainwater standing on the surface, a sure sign of inadequate drainage. Bay needs good drainage […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":173,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[77],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/Wild-flowers-150x1501.png?fit=150%2C150","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6cWjO-6j","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6737,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=6737","url_meta":{"origin":391,"position":0},"title":"RHS 8 tips for November","author":"Alan Williams","date":"30th October 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"RHS 8 tips for November Clear up leaves, especially from lawns, ponds and drains. Please make sure all containers kept clear of the ground. Plant tulip bulbs for a spring display. Prune roses to prevent wind rock. Plant out winter bedding. Cover brassicas with netting if pigeons are a problem.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Latest News"","block_context":{"text":"Latest News","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=70"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":11410,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=11410","url_meta":{"origin":391,"position":1},"title":"Must Do Gardening Tips for April","author":"Alan Williams","date":"12th April 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"THE VILLAGE GARDENER Must Do Gardening Tips for April Tips from two of the nurseries that will be attending The Tuckers Plant Sale on Saturday the 30th April at 29 Vennwood Close. 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As this year\u2019s Tucker\u2019s Spring Plant Sale takes place at the Wenvoe Church Hall soon (Saturday 11 May - 10\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Wenvoe Forum"","block_context":{"text":"Wenvoe Forum","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=384"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":407,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=407","url_meta":{"origin":391,"position":3},"title":"Planting Out","author":"Wenvoeadmin","date":"19th April 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"All tender plants are at risk from frost until the end of April\/ May and need to have protection in a greenhouse or conservatory so if you buy plants over the next few weeks, make sure they are fully hardy before risking them outside. Long-term, hardy shrubs or trees should\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "The Village Gardener"","block_context":{"text":"The Village Gardener","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=77"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/large-overlap-cold-frame1.jpg?fit=800%2C800&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/large-overlap-cold-frame1.jpg?fit=800%2C800&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/large-overlap-cold-frame1.jpg?fit=800%2C800&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/large-overlap-cold-frame1.jpg?fit=800%2C800&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7267,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=7267","url_meta":{"origin":391,"position":4},"title":"RHS Top Tips For This Month","author":"Alan Williams","date":"29th February 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"RHS top tips for this month. 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