Fig and bay trees in pots

I have recently bought two standard bay trees and a very small fig tree which I want to plant in terracotta pots, the bay trees in permanent ones and the fig in a transitional one to be changed each year. What compost should I use for each type? I have a few bags of compost for fruit and vegetable growing and some of general container compost from Homebase. Which one do I use for which or do I need something else?

Re: Fig and bay trees in pots

Reply from Harry Hitchcock

Hi Geraldine,

You could probably get away with using just general multi-purpose compost with a bit of slow release fertiliser. Just make sure to put something in the bottom of the pots to aid the drainage and the plants should be fine.

Harry

Re: Fig and bay trees in pots

Reply from Jan Torrance

Hi

You'll also need to feed the bay weekly during the summer months and perhaps once a month during autumn through spring - tomato liquid feed is fine. Keep an eye out for vine weevil too as it can be susceptible to it - I would probably choose to treat them for it as a precaution in winter with Provado vine weevil killer - this will hit the grubs before they get big enough to do any real damage and can be used in cold temperatures - if you even end up with any! As you say they're going to be permanent containers, I would personally do this both in January with Provado then around July with nematodes which is biological control and can be used in temperatures above 5 degrees - be sure to buy the right one!

Do remember to feed them though, very important and the pot size you need for a permanent setup is going to cost approximately £30-50 each pot - for terracotta.

Regarding the fig - I assume you know it will grow very large so rather than disturbing it each year, you'd probably be better off paying out for a large container up front - there are some excellent moulded plastic pots that look very attractive or of course terracotta but that'll get very heavy with the compost and as the plant grows. You're looking at between £50-100 for the pot alone which should give you an idea of the size you should pot into. This also means you can leave the plant for 2-3 years although eventually you'll have to decide how big a pot you can utilise allowing for further repots - having an established container garden I know it's very hard moving large plants around!

I would also suggest you read up on growing figs and how to care for the plant properly including pruning - particularly if you are growing for the fruit. Over wintering will be an important consideration - whether moving the pot or protecting the plant in situ.

Good luck and happy pot shopping!!!

Cheers, Jan

Re: Re: Fig and bay trees in pots

Reply from Geraldine

Many thanks for detailed advice. I Have read that fig trees need root restricting to encourage fruiting and that is the reason for annual repotting. If this is the case when should it be done? I have also heard of root restricting bags in the context of encouraging walnut trees to fruit. What are these bags and how are they used?