fatsia japonica

Lorna95

Hi everyone, I'm just looking for some advise, I have had a fatsia japonica for over 7 years of more, this is in a very sunny spot, as this is where is said to put it on the label, but on quiet a few places on the net i have seen some say put in a sunny spot and other saying it needs shade, I have never had a problem with it and it is doing really well, it's about 9ft high and 8ft wide, anyway last year i got the seeds and sown them and they are growing quiet well, what i want to know is when the babies are big enough will it be ok to grow a baby in a big pot and have it in a shady spot.

Will it be happy enough in a pot and in a shady spot,

Any opinions will be very helpful.

Thank you.xx 

Lorna95

Thank you 1Runnybeak1, The bigger leafs on mine are not as green as the new ones leafs but it has always done well, I did have to cut down one of the branches as it was growing in front of other plants and blocking the light out, the label said in full sun so that's where i put it. 

Thank you for letting me know that they will be ok in a pot and in the shade. that is great.xx

Daintiness

Mine grows in shade. It flowers and fruits is about 8ft tall and 8ft wide and a good shade of green. It only gets sun in the late afternoon.

Lorna95

It's good to get everybodies advise, it makes me wonder why the label said plant in a sunny position , i have not chance of moving it as it's just to big but it seems ok, every year i always flowers and the seeds, i have many baby plants that i have sown, hopefully when i plant the baby plant in to a bigger pot and put it in the shade it will look greener than the big one.

Thank you everyone for the great advise.xx

Lorna95

Sorry another question, what soil should i use if it will be staying in a pot and should i feed it at anytime and with what and i would like this to stay in a pot for good.

Should i put any gravel in the bottom for drainage.

Sorry for all the questions i just want it to do well in the pot.

Thank you for all the info.xx

Fairygirl

A soil based compost is better for anything in a pot long term, as it doesn't dry out so readily Lorna. I prefer to mix grit through the compost rather than just gravel at the base, but I use a few bigger pieces of stone or some broken pieces of old pots to prevent soil clogging up the drainage holes. 

I also have mine in part shade - they always do better than in full sun, whether in pots or in the ground. I use a seaweed feed for mine now and again too. 

Supernoodle

I've got one doing very well in a pot in the shade. Rather too well - getting a bit big 

Lorna95

Thank you everyone for the advice this has helped me alot.

Just one more question, as i have a few babies of the fatisa can these be used as a house plant and if so do i still use the same sort of soil for an indoor plant as i do the outdoor one.

I hope that makes sense.xx

 

 

Lorna95

Why does the RHS site say grow in full sun or partial shade. Things can get so confusing.  

Well my big one is in sun so i see how well the ones in pot's in shade will do.xx

Fairygirl

I know exactly what you mean Lorna - it's often difficult to know what's best. They will grow in sun, but I don't think they look very well. They get very bleached. I had two in a previous garden. One was in a corner between two bits of house wall, getting some early sun and then shaded for the rest of the day, and the other was in the open in a sunny spot. The one in the corner looked terrific - the other one looked awful. 

I rest my case m'lud 

I think that's where the forum is very helpful. Real experience is a wonderful tool 

Just saw your previous post re keeping them indoors. Never tried it myself,  but I expect you could use the same soil/compost. Someone else may know better than me though.

Lorna95

Thanks Fairygirl, i have to agree with you that this forum is very helpful, the advice i have been given is fantastic, my head would have been in a spin otherwise.

 

Thanks for your help fairygirl.xx