Cherry Tree in a Pot?

[amandaandherveg]

I spotted a lovely cherry tree today that I would love - only problem is that we will be moving house later in the year.

Could I plant this up in a pot in the interim, and if so what sort of pot and compost would suit it best?

[esrikandan]

I had a cherry tree in a bucket for a year between moving houses (6 years ago). I don't know for sure, but the treatment seems to have worked as it's a fabulous tree now. My mum bought one for me and one for her at the same time. She planted hers out straight away and it's still quite small. Mine is now about 3m tall and has been producing fruit for about 4 years!

[amandaandherveg]

Esrikandan, thanks for that, going to go back and get it - twas lovely.

[Snadger]

I've had a cherry tree in a large pot for a couple of years. It'a a mass og bloom this year!

[FB.]

I'd leave it in it's current pot until it's ready to plant-out in the autumn-winter. Just keep it well watered. If you don't buy it and nobody else does, then it'll be staying in it's pot all summer anyway!
By the autumn, the roots may be a bit coiled and tangled around the pot, but if you carefully untangle them (that'll be the important bit) and then spread the roots around a large enough hole, it should soon settle in to it's permanent home.
Don't fret if you break a few of the tangled roots. The tree will still be fine.

If you're able to plant it in early-mid September (remember to untangle those roots or they'll "strangle" it underground!), that would help it establish very quickly. But planting-out any time before the end of next February will be OK

[esrikandan]

Mine was a cheap unknown variety (probably Stella I guess) from Woolies - it was left in a chicken manure bucket with compost until I was ready to plant. If I recall, it spent the entire winter in it's bucket outside as well and got planted out once I had cleared enough of the previous owners odd plantings (mostly connifers).

Eric

[Raindancer411]

I got a cherry tree in the pot that I brought it from the garden centre and plant to keep it in there until autumn when hopefully my boyfriend and my house purchase has gone through... It seems to be doing well in the pot but I do have to make sure that it is kept watered as it is quite thirsty

[bramble]

My cherry tree is in a half barrel and has been there for about 5 years now.
Its still doing fine, so go for it.

[amandaandherveg]

My cherry tree is in a half barrel and has been there for about 5 years now.
Its still doing fine, so go for it.

Oooh... I have two old half barrels filled with some daffs and tulips on their last legs. If the wind is still crazy tomorrow I will head off buy my cherry tree. 2 barels = 2 trees?

[amandaandherveg]

Oh is kindly picking up said cherry tree on his way home, lovely man that he is.

[divvy]

I have a stella cherry on colt rootstock in a pot about 2ft across x 3ft deep . I will move it to a black plastic water tank as soon as I can . The reason it's in a pot is because I want to grow it in a fan up the garden fence and it's too near the main drain , I'm scared the roots will go through it if it's not in a pot . The pot is sunk into the ground . It seems to be doing very well in it .