Conifers are not only popular hedges, they can also be easily planted in containers. However, it requires significantly more care than outdoor plants.
You probably know conifers (Pinales) as hedges, as a windbreak in the garden or as an evergreen plant in parks.
You can also plant the conifers with the soft needlework in a bucket and easily get a piece of garden on the balcony.
But you can't leave the plant to its own devices here. In contrast to outdoor plants, conifers planted in containers require significantly more care.
» Conifers need more care in pots
Basically, the small types of conifers are suitable for planting in containers. You can quickly set a new eye-catcher with them or approach the garden design much more freely than would be possible with a conifer planted directly in the ground. Thujas are particularly suitable for planting in tubs. However, you need to spend a little more time caring for the conifer.
The differences begin with planting, because not every pot is suitable. It should:
- Having a drain hole
- Be provided with drainage
- Special soil included
- Be of sufficient size
- If possible, stand on a mobile stand
The drain hole is particularly important. Like many plants, conifers do not tolerate waterlogging. Irrigation water can easily collect in the bucket and cause the roots to rot due to the wetness. As a result, the conifers die off. On the other hand, if you make sure there is a drain hole or puncture the bottom of the bucket, the excess water can escape. So that the soil does not flow out of the bucket with the water and fertilizers remain in the soil, create a drainage over the drainage opening:
- Sprinkle a layer of gravel on the bottom of the planter
- Put small stones or shards of pottery over the gravel
- Put sand over the coarse layer
- Cover drainage with fleece
First fill the actual soil over the drainage. The drainage layer allows excess water to remain in the bucket for some timebe collected without coming into direct contact with the roots. If the soil dries out, the roots absorb moisture from the drainage layer, but do not have to stay in the water permanently. If there is too much irrigation or rainwater in the bucket, it will run out through the drainage layer directly through the drain opening.
» Coniferous soil for pot planting
If you put conifers - or other trees - in a tub, you have to take into account that the nutrient supply is limited. The soil cannot regenerate or enhance itself, but the plant must make do with the nutrients that you allow it. We therefore recommend that you switch to coniferous soil for planting in containers. It already contains the correct proportions of humus, soil and sand and is provided with fertilizers that ensure he althy growth of the thuja.
In order to put the conifers in the pot, you should heed the following instructions:
❶ Put a layer of soil over the drainage.
❷ Now place the conifer in the bucket. Place the plant in the center of the planter.
❸ Pour the soil evenly into the tub, making sure the conifer stays in the centre.
❹ Fill in the soil to a margin of about five centimeters to the edge of the bucket. This free space allows you to water the conifer easily without the bucket overflowing.
❺ Water the conifer sufficiently.
Depending on the position of the bucket, you must ensure that the soil does not dry out. In the field, conifers form deep roots, so that the plant can get water relatively well even during prolonged drought. This option does not exist in the bucket. The conifer can only draw on the moisture that is directly in the bucket. Therefore, check every third day at the latest whether the soil is still sufficiently moist and water regularly.
» Hibernate conifers in pots
Conifers planted directly in the ground survive the winter months without any problems, provided they are not young plants without deep roots. However, potted plants need a certain amount of winter protection in order to sprout again in spring. Since you will probably put small or very young conifers in the tub, you should think about protection for the winter:
- Surround the plant with fleece and a burlap sack
- Wrap bubble wrap around bucket
- Put styrofoam under the bucket or raise it
- Straw or leaves protect the soil from freezing
- Pour on frostfreeRestrict Days
» Cut back conifers in tubs
When pruning your conifers, you should make sure that the balance is maintained. If the conifer grows too much, you have to put it in a larger bucket or plant it in the garden. However, the most important measures to keep a conifer in the bucket are watering and intermittent fertilizing with conifer fertilizer. Highly recommended here is the Compo conifer slow-release fertilizer, which not only strengthens the plant but also protects it from turning brown.
If you take care not to dry out the soil, prune the plant in early spring and fertilize it regularly, you will be able to enjoy an evergreen plant on the terrace or balcony.