Dogwood Dilemma

cl.lockwood

I got this Cornus Sibirica early last summer. I have a large roof terrace where I can only have pots. I'd told myself that a Cornus wouldn't be suitable, but I saw one at at home/garden store that had been reduced to £3 so I thought, 'what have I got to lose'? It was sickly at first but it came right in the end. Consequently I've grown quite attached to it. (Last summer was my first year gardening.) Anyway, I decided to wait until next spring (2021) before pruning it back hard. I had thought I might leave it in this pot til then too. Now I'm concerned that its roots might struggle through another summer in this pot, however much I water it. However, it's put out so many leaves so early, I'm not sure if I've missed my chance. Is this so? Should I re-pot it now? Thank you!

Lyn

I can’t get the photo 

Astro

I have a yellow dogwood in a planter and it seems fine, I've read they handle being in a pot well so long as they don't get too dry. 

Lyn

Thanks Astro, we’re on the end of the line for internet and I think with everyone home it’s now even worse 😀

cl.lockwood

Gah! I'll try again!

cl.lockwood

Hope that worked! Thanks for that, Astro. That's my concern with the roots on this. The pot seems quite full.

JennyJ

I think I would put it into a bigger pot with fresh compost now, if you have them. Otherwise just keep it well-watered and maybe a general purpose feed if you have some.

cl.lockwood

Thanks Jenny - I am very tempted to try to pot it on. I'll have to do it without my friend helping to support it now we're all locked down!

BobTheGardener

Be warned that it can be almost impossible to remove root-bound plants from those bulbous pots!  I would be tempted to wait until next Feb or thereabouts so you can hack and tug until it 'gives' without causing potentially fatal amounts of damage.  Having said that, another year in there may mean having to break the pot to get it out..

Obelixx

Try now or, as Bob says, you'll end up having to break that pot.  Try and use a straight sided pot this time or, better still, one that is wider at the top than at the bottom.  Soaking it thoroughly helps and I also slide an old knife down between the rootball and the pot to loosen them.

I would also prune each stem back by half because it's the new stems that give you the bright colours.  You can always try taking cuttings with the offcuts.

cl.lockwood

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful. I started getting water on to it earlier and I'll go ahead with it tomorrow. Maybe I'll bite the bullet and prune it a bit too!

Yes, I have already had to get some far more biddable perennials out of smaller, similarly-shaped, pots this spring and that was hell's delight. I was thinking I may need a knife! Once it's out, it may want a prune anyway!!