Big Timber News

Question by XYZ: I recently moved to a condo with land, how can I keep my trees/plants alive in pots?
So I am inlove with my garden from my older condo, but sadly I had to move [since June 2009]. I had tons of plants in the ground that I had/wanted to dig up and bring with me, sadly I had to leave my Flowering Almond bush behind ( maybe it’s for the best for the bush ).

So far about five of about 25 plants died, but I still have tons of plants I want to care for and want to have them around with me forever. [ Here's hoping I get a place with planting ground soon. ]

Sad part is they’re mostly trees and bushes that “shouldn’t” remain potted.
This spring I saw tons of blossoms from them though and they’re all leafing out at the moment and looking healthy- except for my flowering peach that I’m trying to find what its illness is. ( so if anyone can also help me with that, I’d appreciate it a lot. )

The plants I am most concerned about would be :

All trees
-(Prunus Serrulata) Flowering Cherry
-(Prunus Blireiana) Flowering Plum x Apricot
-(Prunus Mume) Flowering Apricot
-(Prunus Cerasifera) Flowering Plum
-(Prunus Persica) Flowering Peach

I’ve seen some of these as large bonsais before, Is it possible to grow them in a pot for now? Maybe for another five years? 10? I don’t know when I’ll be able to get a new place WITH planting ground again.

What do you guys suggest?

Thank you.

P.S. Sorry if my story is confusing. I have a feeling my grammar is off tonight.
I meant to say “without land”

Best answer:

Answer by Kathleen
The things I would look at first would be issues such as making sure you have the right size pot. You can find information on the size of pot you should be using here: http://www.indoor-bonsai-tree.net/indoor-bonsai-tree/bonsai-pots-for-the-indoor-bonsai-tree . These are referring to indoor bonsai trees, but the same hold true for outdoor trees in pots. Also make sure your pot has drainage holes.
You also need to look at the soil and fertilizer you use, as well as the correct watering techniques.
You want to use a soil that does not retain a lot of moisture as this will cause the roots to rot. You also want to fertilize once a week during the growing season, when you water with a water soluble fertilizer. You can find information about soil, fertilizer, and watering here: http://www.indoor-bonsai-tree.net.

Good Luck!

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Question by J: Do bonsai ume (flowering apricot, Prunus mume) trees bear fruit?
All the websites say so, but they only say so with the exact same text. Has anyone had fruit grow from one of these in their own experience?

Best answer:

Answer by DJK
The easy answer is yes they do.

But it’s more like, yes they can, if you give them near perfect conditions to grow, can keep the flowers on and healthy long enough, and the tree is large and healthy enough to sustain the stress of supporting the fruit until it is ripe. There are a few different cultivars of this tree as well, some easier to fruit than others.

At any point from flower bud to ripe fruit the tree can abort the process due to any, some or all of these reasons.

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