I've been thinking lately about what I want to do with my trees when they reach the half-whiskey barrel (or equivalent container volume) stage. For moving them around that's about as large as I think I want to handle without power equipment.

What does one do for potting media in a container that size? I suppose I can simply use CHCs as I do now for my smaller trees, but all of the research I've done on coconut chips states five to seven years useful life. I suspect being here in Florida I'll get closer to the five years rather than the seven. Then I'm going to have to replace the media of a largish, possibly very thorny tree and maybe prune the roots as well.

I'm wondering if maybe anyone had tried a completely inorganic media that would not have to be replaced? I'm not familiar with some of the man made medias like Turface and such but from reading about them at least some sound like they have decent sounding water retention and cation exchange capacities? Do they have enough to work for something like this?

Assuming I could find or develop an inorganic media mix that wouldn't have to be replaced every so often would the tree roots eventually get to the point that I'd need to pull the tree from the container anyway to prune them?

.....Alan.

Alan, CHC blends have a lot of advantages, but for container trees, one of their disadvantages when placed outside, is that they blow over easily. This is of course, due to the light weight of the growth medium. Therefore, if you use CHC you will need to anchor the tree in some manner. One of the main advantages of CHC is, of course, the long life span of the medium. I don't know much about inorganic mediums, like Turface, as I have never used them. However, when the concern is the transplanting of a large container tree every couple years, the type of growth medium used will not matter, nor solve the problem. In my opinion, no matter what type of growth medium is used, organic or inorganic, the tree still must be continually transplanted in a timely manner. The growth pattern of the root system is going to be the same. in either type of medium. In the nursery industry there is a fundamental law that states: (1) a containerized tree must be transplanted into a larger container at least every 2 years, (2) foliage and root pruning at least every two years then place the tree back into the same container, or (3) plant the tree into the ground, or (4) sell the tree, or (5) throw the tree away. - I don't believe there is any other options. - Millet

Yeah, I was afraid it was going to be a root growth problem.

I'm thinking if I use a fairly heavy container such as a half whiskey barrel by the time I get it full of media, tree, and watered it should be bottom heavy enough to keep from blowing over. If not I'll stake it.

I wasn't going to go that way, but Dauben's wine barrel makeover thread changed my mind.

.....Alan.

Yesterday I re-potted a Sour Orange tree into a new experimental growth medium. The medium was a blend of 2 parts 1/2 inch CHC and 1 part Spanish Moss. My son had a mountain of Spanish Moss that he tossed out, so I used it in my transplanting. Now I will wait and see. The two ingredients made for a very nice airy blend. If the tree does as I hope, I will try different versions. Perhaps Lava rock (asscoria) and Spanish Moss, or whatever. I have to admit that being from Colorado I know nothing about the properties of Spanish Moss. Nothing ventured nothing gained.- Millet

At the risk of hearing a howl of laughter I have two Eureka lemons that have been in the same 5 gallons pot for 6 years. Never been repotted and they are in a dirt blend. I am having the best year of fruit production ever. I also use a fertilizer that will remain unnamed to hold down even greater laughter (the brand has been mentioned before). According to industry standards my trees should be dead stumps by now! IT WORKS FOR ME! I may try replace the medium with new dirt and trim the roots, but will probably end up with a very unhappy tree.

Disturbing the roots while you have fruit on the tree can have very adverse effects on three, and many times will abort all the fruit.

It was dry moss, but I did not like that medium, and tossed it out. I repotted the tree in another experimental medium, which is pure CHC (50 percent 1/2-inch and 50 percent 1/4 inch), no filler at all. The container filled with the 50/50 CHC medium took 2,360 ml of water to fill. The next day, after the CHC had absorbed water, I poured the remainder out and carefully measured it at 1,455 ml. This means that the experimental growth CHC medium has an empty air space porosity of approximately 60 percent, leaving only 40 percent of the completely filled container with actual medium . Normally, 25 percent porosity is suggested. However, you can't believe how rapidly the trees are growing (1 sour orange, 1 Yen Ben Lemon, 1 Panzerilla Lemon). With such a high air porosity, it is impossible to over water, but also because of the high air porosity, the containers need water every single day. I soak the entire container in a nutrient solution (250PPM N) plus STEM, magnesium and dolomite for 1 minute every morning. The growth is unbelievable, stunning. Another draw back is that the medium is extra light, and a container out side in the wind would easily blow over. However in my greenhouse it is not a problem. - Millet

What was it about the moss that you didn't like? Did it lay too wet or not wet enough?

.....Alan.