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Repotting large brown turkey

B3B3 Posts: 26,954
in Plants
Our brown turkey has outgrown its forever home. Big container. We've decided we'd give it one more move. What planting medium might keep it happily ticking over nicely for a few years without it getting too big for its boots?
I would like to put it on a diet if possible. We need to be able to get out of the patio doors.
In London. Keen but lazy.

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,863
    edited January 2022
    I use 3 parts John Innes No 3 Loam-based growing medium to 1 part horticultural grit.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • B3B3 Posts: 26,954
    @Dovefromabove. Will that make it grow big and strong?. I need it to be content but not happy
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,863
    edited January 2022
    Ours would love to grow big and strong … but it doesn’t stand a chance in the pot it’s in … anyway, what’s wrong with you?  You’ve got a stout pair of secateurs haven’t you?  Show it who’s boss 💪 😉 

    Whoops! …. I’ll get my coat …….

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • B3B3 Posts: 26,954
    edited January 2022
    Ok @Dovefromabove. I KNOW it needs root pruning and stick pruning but I'm afraid to do it. I thought the  easiest option for a wuzzy gardener would be to bung it in a bigger pot and edge around it to get out the door. Other exit is available.
    However, I would say that following your advice my acer looks rather good.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,047
    My brown turkey got dug up, chopped up and composted,  I’d had if quite a few years, never had a fig on it,  I planted it out in the GH as every time I put it outdoors it dropped its leaves,  it grew like a triffid, filled the GH, right up to the roof and across the other side, still no figs so it’s gone" 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • B3B3 Posts: 26,954
    I don't like figs. I grow it for the foliage. It makes a well shaped 'tree' in a container until it gets too big. 
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Mr. Vine EyeMr. Vine Eye Posts: 2,390
    edited January 2022
    I’m finding this discussion incredibly confusing ...

    What on Earth are you doing to that poor bird!

    and if we’re talking about Christmas leftovers I think that brown meat is well passed its best and needs binning not keeping in a pot. You’ve all gone doolally.




    ...just spotted the word ‘fig’ 😂
    East Yorkshire
  • B3B3 Posts: 26,954
    You've never heard of jugged hare then? @Mr. Vine Eye
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,574
    If you take Dove's advice to give the plant a damned good trim, take cuttings and grow a few replacements.
  • B3B3 Posts: 26,954
    I've had a good look at the container and although it's wide at the top, it gets much narrower towards the base. It shelves a bit a few inches down too so I'm going to do vertical cuts to get it out leaving some roots behind and repot it in another circular container  but with vertical sides. It's a nice shape so I'm loath to attack the branches.
    I don't think I have the patience to wait another 5 years for cuttings to reach the size I would want so I'm not going to bother with them.
    Thanks for advice, it gives me some encouragement @Ceres 😊

    In London. Keen but lazy.
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