Hi,

Im going to grow a sunburst cherry on a gisela5 rootstock in a pot. I live in the middle of England with a very hot patio

I wonder if I could get some advice.

Firstly how big a pot am I going to need?

Secondly, what should I put in it. ie compost or soil mix, perlite etc?

Cheers

Ed

Cheers, for that.

Its kinda what Ive been thinking (read) but havent found anything before actually on cherries in pots.

Ive ordered a two year old sunburst already as I like the "gorgeous" flavour description.

Ive no idea what my climate is, other than temperate. The patio is shelterd and up against a south east and south west walls, its ideal for succulents as everything else gets roasted, the strawberries and the tomatos have done really well.(but have needed a lot of water)

The tree will be a challenge but Im encouraged that it can be done.

Im going to incorpoate a watering system.

Its really the pot that is giving me a headache, but at least its narrowed down to plastic.

I dont suppose anyone has any piccies or links to similar pots they use?

Thanks again.

Ed

Hi,

Thanks for the link.

I assume its a half barrel, when I looked at them they looked wide enough but quite shallow.

Do you have a liner (first time I heard of them)

I didn't mention half wine barrels although I use some of them. The barrel is 28" dia. at top, and about 24" dia. at the base and holds about 2 cu.ft. of potting soil.

Here's my list of fruiting plants in half wine barrels:

Asian Pears....6
Calamondin.....4
Cherry.........1 [+4 repotted in 24" pots]
Fejoia.........9 [+1 repotted in 24" pot]
Loquat.........2
Mango..........2
Navel Orange...2
Persimmons.....7

Vegetable:
Watercress.....2

These barrels are about 15 years old. About half of them will have to be replaced next spring.

Before using them, I filled these barrels with water and let them sit for a week or until no water leaked at the sides; drained, then I painted the outside surface, drilled 4 one inch holes at the bottom for drainage.

The replacement barrels will be prepared diffferently. I would paint both inner and outer surface with a multipurpose pre-mixed exterior primer and paint. Instead of drilling holes at the bottom, I would drill 4, 1" holes on the sides, an inch above the bottom cover. I will then use 3/4" perforated pvc pipe, cut to desired length without sticking out of the barrel[where you can attach a 1" plastic tube for drainage] . The pipes will meet at the center of the barrel where they will be inserted in a cross cut pvc of same diameter. The pipes will then be covered with rocks before laying the potting soil. For added protection to the wood, a fabric weedblocker can be fashioned to cover the inner side of the barrel.

Ed, I hope this info is of some help in the use of wine barrels. There are two other sizes of wine barrel, a full and a 3/4 size. The 1/2 barrels were selling here for about $14.99 to $19.99, the 3/4 barrels for about 50% more and the full barrels for about double the price of the 1/2 barrels.

Rosebudd, unlined 1/2 wine barrel may last more or less about 10-15 years, at least from what I experienced.

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Amor est vitae essentia.
Love is the essence of life.

Ed,

It is normal for the inside surface of wine barrels to have "colored" coatings [ some are black, others are reddish-purplish, depending on what wines were aged in them] . This is due the fermentation process. It is safe to use the barrels for plants.

Looks like you are leaning towards wine barrels. One other thing I want to mention is the use of "casters". Casters will help move the barrels and also allow you room to put drip tray [under the barrel].

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Amor est vitae essentia.
Love is the essence of life.