Feeding fatsia

Kathm

Hello

I have several fatsia growing in pots and the biggest is now living in a large garbage bin!  (It was much cheaper than a large ‘tree’ pot and its handles make it easier to move too.)

I have drilled holes in the bin - so it drains freely, but it is starting to look quite ‘pale’. I was wondering if - given it’s size - I now need to feed it.  If so, what with - tomato feed, or something else?  I would hate to kill it with the wrong option. 

thanks for any guidance.  Kath

punkdoc

When you say drilled holes, how big, how many are there, a pot that size will need some serious drainage?

Plantminded

Fatsia prefer a shady location.  In too much sun the leaves will often yellow and turn downwards, showing the plant is struggling.  Another consideration is the compost you have used.  A soil based compost like John Innes No 3 is best for shrubs in containers.  You may find that a foliar feed of seaweed extract will also perk your plant up.  I wouldn't use tomato feed - its better for plants which need encouragement to flower.

Astro

Is there a reason for them being in  containers? They are easy plants in the ground and very hardy. As pointed out they do better in shade.

JennyJ

I agree, it would be much happier in the ground and it would fill that corner and reach the top of the fence within a few years.

As others have said, they're better not in full sun all day, but they will take some sun. Mine is on the East-facing side of the house so it gets sun until maybe 2:30 or 3pm at midsummer, and it's quite happy. It was there when we bought the house in 1988 and is still going strong.

Nanny Beach

Agree with other posters, they really thrive in shade,and better in the ground.

Kathm

Thanks @punkdoc, @Plantminded, @Astro, @JennyJ - my fatsia usually live on the decking next to the shadier part of the house, but I am about to get paving laid there and some other landscape work carried out, so I only moved it into that corner a couple of days ago to free up space for the workers.  

I have cleared my borders of loads of plants which I had put into the wrong place over the years and will be getting lots of conifer/ivy stumps ground out, so hopefully will have many more planting options once that is done. It probably will end up getting planted permanently into that corner.  I am trying to reduce the amount of pots I need to water.  

It’s been in that bin for a couple of years, so will give it some seaweed extract in the meantime, so it can make the most of its little holiday out in the wide open.    

Fairygirl

It'll be happier in the ground 
The soil in the container may not have much nutrition left in it, so the aforementioned seaweed can be useful until you plant it out. They're not terribly deep rooting - they have spreading roots, so it might even be a bit pot bound. 
However, a bit of bleached foliage won't harm it long term. A damper, shadier spot is always best for them, with some reasonably good soil. They can take a reasonable bit of sun if they're happy below ground, but searing mid day sun isn't ideal.
You can always cut it back too, which often invigorates them