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Cherry bush Porthos (prunus avium?)

BigladBiglad Posts: 3,147
in Fruit & veg
I bought this recently and have just put it in a sheltered spot. Should I put it in a larger pot for the winter (it came in a 3L). It doesn't look a particularly healthy specimen at the moment. Does it need some TLC or the @Fairygirl sink or swim treatment? ;)


East Lancs
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  • robairdmacraignilrobairdmacraignil Posts: 762
    Cherry trees here have mostly dropped their leaves for winter so a bit of discolouration in the leaves on your one at this time of year would not worry me that much. Re-potting would probably help it but if it was mine and I wanted to grow it in the ground I'd probably plant it out in the ground straight away once it has had a week or two somewhere sheltered in case it is coming from warm greenhouse or shopping centre. Not grown this variety but cherry trees are generally fairly hardy.
    Happy gardening!
    https://www.youtube.com/user/sustainableveg/videos
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,267
    edited November 2020
    The wonderful Internet says Porthos is a sweet cherry (ie not P.avium), and will grow to a 2m bush.   :)

    And yes - I'd plant it in the ground now.  Those leaves will soon fall naturally.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,147
    edited November 2020
    Thanks @robairdmacraignil :). I should've explained that I'm currently thinking that it will be in a pot long-term rather than going in the ground. I'd be happy if it could stay in the original pot for the winter, but wondered if it would benefit from being potted on at this stage. It sounds like you'd agree this would probably be best. Any thoughts on what growing medium would be best in the larger pot? I've got MPC, horticultural grit and bonemeal to hand.

    Sorry @Liriodendron - crossed posts! It was sold as a bush suitable for pot-growing but 2m sounds bigger than anticipated :o
    East Lancs
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,353
    Depends how big your pot is @Biglad  :D  
    Sink or swim is fine if the plant is healthy and in suitable conditions [  ;) ]  but if it's been in that pot a while, it might benefit from just going into something slightly bigger with some fresh soil.
    It's not going to grow much until next year, but it would let it get roots settled and it'll tick over until you see what you want to do with it. The leaves will drop , as @Liriodendron says. 
    You need a soil based medium if it's staying potted long term, but anything will do for over winter, and then you can see about a proper pot to move it into, and a better medium then. Bonemeal is good for root formation so it's worth adding a little of that.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,147
    Perfect. Thanks @Fairygirl :)
    East Lancs
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,147
    I followed the sage advice of @Fairygirl and I'm very happy with how it has come on after surviving a winter in my hands :o 

    I'm thinking of moving it into a bigger, long-term pot now. Is it a good/bad/indifferent time to do that, folks?


    East Lancs
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,544
    If it was only planted last winter. I'd leave it in that pot for the year to settle in nicely. You can repot maybe this coming winter or early next year. Looks like a good size pot to have to rush to disturb the root system again. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • penallyjimpenallyjim Posts: 3
    I have just joined the forum and I am purchasing this plant. I too intend to grow it in a pot, I have a really large porcelain pot 43cms (D) x 40cms (H) that I would eventually like to grow it in or a slightly smaller diameter terracotta pot; I assume the porcelain would be better to keep it moist. I live in Pembrokeshire (mild winters) but do get strong winds at times and need to protect the plant, hence my reason for potting it so I can move it to sheltered area. My back garden sees a lot of sun. I'd appreciate any advice about my plans.
  • BigladBiglad Posts: 3,147
    No expert advice from me @penallyjim but would certainly agree with moving your pot around to avoid any weather extremes that your garden might get. Mine is kept in a corner against the house and has ticked over nicely so far.



    However, more excitingly, when I unpacked the plant in November I knocked a tiny twig off but decided to call it a cutting ;) It looked like this



    And is still around and quite happy today :) 





    East Lancs
  • penallyjimpenallyjim Posts: 3
    I have places like this but they are mostly in the shade, would that not hinder the plant growth? I thought it required a sunny spot.
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