Damson tree in a pot?

[cheops]

Has anyone successfully grown a damson tree in a large pot?
I'm wondering if I can get away with doing so. My plan would be to grow a damson 'Merryweather' tree in an old black plastic dustbin. Is this feasible or not a good idea? The tree will be grafted onto a St Julien rootstock.

[mosstrooper]

I think it would be a full time job watering a big tree in a dustbin, Cheops.

[TrixC]

I've not tried a damson in a pot but most plums are difficult in pots. You'd be better off with a more compact rootstock such as VVA-1 or WA-VIT.

[BUFFS]

You would have to root prune it every 3-4yrs I reckon, I have some strong growing fruit trees in 50ltr pots that get treated that way and it works for me. I remove some of the large root each time and instead of big branches from big roots you end up with finer branches from finer roots, I just applied the same theory that I use on my bonsai, I have a 20yr old horse chestnut @ 10ins tall and leaves about 2ins across so I know it works, just don't try to take too much root off at one stage, that's why I just remove one major root a time, then you need to let the smaller replacement roots grow and establish. Fresh john Innes No3 each time you trim and I throw some bonemeal in at that time, seems to work fine, I wish I had done it with my pear trees as they are now about 15-16ft tall now so its too late to start...

[cheops]

Thx for replies. I've ordered a damson and a czar which I had intended putting each into two large pots. Now I'm not so sure. What would happen if I had each in a pot, regularly feed them and regularly prune them to keep them smallish., but ignore Buff's advice and never trim the roots or replace the soil/compost. If I am advised this just won't work then it's into the garden proper which will be a bit of a squeeze.

[Guest]

My fruit trees were in pots before I moved and most have breathed a sigh of relief being in the ground with the exception of my damson - Merryweather. In a pot it fruited every year, in the last four years in the ground it has done little but survived. There is a patch of damsons in the village on a bit of scrub. I am starting to suspect that damsons like to be challenged and not fussed over It is looking like it will go back in a pot some time this year.

[cheops]

Thx Norfolkgrey that's interesting to say the least. May I ask - did you leave your fruiting damson in the pot year after year without root pruning or changing the soil? I assume however you did feed and prune the tree.

[Guest]

Thx Norfolkgrey that's interesting to say the least. May I ask - did you leave your fruiting damson in the pot year after year without root pruning or changing the soil? I assume however you did feed and prune the tree.

Very little to no pruning in pot or ground as it is not vigorous. When in a pot I just use to top dress it. I may have refreshed the soil one year but that is it.

Edit: I think I had it in a pot for 4 years maybe 5 as it was one of the first ones I got. It used to flower late as well just to make me panic Also my trees were in pots that were around 40l. (yes, I know - no wonder my other trees rejoiced when they got freedom! )

[cheops]

Well thanks again for this info Norfolkgrey. One can read this or read that via the internet but nothing beats the real experience of actual people. I now feel confident that I can put it in a large pot when it arrives. I'm gonna use a good top soil I have. To hear it blossomed late with you is good news rather than bad as that will help avoid late frosts and there will be more bees about. The pot I have is marked 55cm. No idea how many litres that is but it's quite a big pot. [got it in B&M]

[ESBkevin]

One idea I'm using with the damson I've grown from cuttings is to put them in a hedgerow and let them get on with it. Hopefully I get to harvest the before anyone else each year, there seem fewer people that know or care these days. High risk hassle free.

[cheops]

Good luck with that ESB. Nice idea.