Over size pot?

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

One month ago I re-potted my Komodo Dragon. As you can see, it was quite root bound but still healthy as a horse last year. I went up to the whiskey barrel which is probably much larger than necessary but it fit my wants :).

So far it is doing well and thriving. My question is, do you think it will suffer in any way next year or until the roots fill the container? Will the roots ever fill this large of a container?

Oh, and think of me when I have to (should) change the potting mix.

Komodo Dragon root ball

Today in whiskey barrel

Featured Answer

newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada

9 years ago

I've potted up a couple of my larger hosta too. Like Striptease:

I don't know the answer to your questions about whether the barrel is too big and root rot possibilities. I agree with glosgarden---that the hosta is more forgiving about the size of the pot if it is a large hosta. Good luck with your beautiful KD! Here is my Striptease up potted:

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Comments (12)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
probably already half filled .. lol ...

nothing better to worry about ... move it to the driveway.. for extra vigor ...

all i would be worried about.. is winter storage ...

when the time comes.. dig a large barrel sized hole.. loosen the barrel straps .. lower into hole.. take barrel apart ... problem solved ...

all joking aside.. a brilliant way to raise it off the ground.. for an extremely stunning presentation ...

ken
old_dirt 6a thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Pieter zone 7/8 B.C.
9 years ago
Nice presentation in the barrel! Potting mix SHOULD be changed annually but I usually get away with a loose, well-draining mix for a couple anyway... sometimes even three.

Pieter
old_dirt 6a thanked Pieter zone 7/8 B.C.
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sherrygirl zone5 N il
9 years ago
Wow, what a monster, looks good in its new spot. What are you going to do with it over the winter?

Sherry
old_dirt 6a thanked sherrygirl zone5 N il
glosgarden
9 years ago
I have found that once they get really big .....it is beautiful by the way......they can handle a too big pot better than when they are smaller.

Also....as stated about...be diligent about checking/changing potting mix and drainage.
old_dirt 6a thanked glosgarden
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
9 years ago
Holy cow. That's all I can say.
old_dirt 6a thanked littlebug zone 5 Missouri
Karin Black Cat
9 years ago
Wow! That's a root system! It looks gorgeous in the barrel! Total height?
old_dirt 6a thanked Karin Black Cat
josephines167 z5 ON Canada
9 years ago
Beautiful and not an average barrel! Love the impact of KD sitting up high to be admired up close.
old_dirt 6a thanked josephines167 z5 ON Canada
zkathy z7a NC
9 years ago
What a handsome dragon! Did you untangle the root ball or just plop it in? I never do anything to my whiskey barrels in the winter. They do warm up faster than ground and the hostas come up earlier so need more frost protection. I suspect in your zone that will be even less of an issue.
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mountainy man z8 Ireland
9 years ago
Beautiful display Old dirt.
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old_dirt 6a
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you all for the kind words and comments. Appreciate your sense of humor Ken, ya had me thinking on that for a sec.

Not sure about the winter, if possible I plan to tilt it up close to its side, maybe enlist my son for assistance. After filling it in a different location, I had to half empty it before I could get it in the wheelbarrow to move it.

Karin, In the barrel it is 54" high, the plant itself is about 34" tall by 54" wide. I suspect it isn't finished for the year.

Kathy, I did not untangle the roots. I sprayed off as much of the old medium as I could and just "plopped" it in.
Babka NorCal 9b
9 years ago
Looks beautiful utiful! I like plopping.

-Babka
old_dirt 6a thanked Babka NorCal 9b