Fatsia Japonica
Celadonsusan
Posts: 53
in Plants
Will this be happy in a big pot over winter until spring when we sort out the shady border? The speed we are going it may well be in a pot for two winters!
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Celadonsusan
Posts: 53
Celadonsusan
Posts: 53
Posts
Yes - I had one in a big pot for 2 years before putting in the boarder - good luck
My first Fatsia was bought and grown as a house plant but it got red spider mite from being too warm and dry in the house so I threw it out in the garden, i.e. planted it, not chucked it! I was chuffed to see it thrive out there.
My second one was inherited as a very mature specimen in a South facing position in the garden of a dooer-upper so had been neglected - that's the best one I've ever seen.
The one in my last garden was planted by me in the shade of a massive tree and blow me, it got red spider mite in the summer due to the dryness and shade of the tree. I would spray it with watered down washing up liquid to kill the mites and give the plant a chance.
In my new garden, I've hardened off a Fatsia bought from Wilco as a house plant (cheaper than garden center) and it has just taken off with a crown of new growth that is really glossy and large leaved.
So the moral of the story is look out for spider mite, make sure it doesn't dry out and repot if it needs it but you can have it as either a container patio or house-plant until you're ready to harden it off and "throw" it out to the elements. I love this plant and wouldn't have a garden without it.
It's quite hardy but doesn't like dryness in my experience.
I potted it up in a large pot with plenty of manure mixed in. It should hold some moisture
I got some bargain terracotta pots, big ones for just a fiver each.
Best of luck. Also it's normal for them to shed some bottom leaves after flowering (I read) so that would be about Feb/March I think. When they shed, the leaves turn bright yellow and drop off and that's a bit alarming. Have to say, I haven't seen that happen with my current happy specimen yet.