I'd go with a 10 gal pot. I know that the rule of thumb is to go one size larger, which in this case would be a 7 gal pot, but I believe that if you use a well draining soil and are careful about watering, you will be OK. The 15 gal pot has a diameter of 15 inches which is only 3 inches greater than that of the 5 gal pot it is in now and thus would not break the "4 inch rule". (See https://rootmaker.com/sites/default/files/pdf/4inchRuleWeb.pdf)

Thanks Vlad. Back to the drawing board and get a 10.

Yeah, I think the 10 would be best, but if you had no choice AND we’re going to use 5-1-1 or gritty, I’d put it in the 15. Those tangelos get big fast.

Laura I grow indoors year round and can't let it grow much more than another foot without getting too close to lights. So the tree will be pruned regularly. Does that affect what size you think this should go in as far as getting big fast? I use 5-1-1. The 15 is as big as I will ever be able to go.

Aw, happy to see Sam taking a peek

Oh...I just noticed the hound dog! Cute! I think I would put it in the 10 gallon. That may slow its growth a bit. Did you get a dwarf one from Harris? My tangelo is on c-35 and is my biggest tree even though it is not as old as my Meyers. Keep in mind that if you prune it, you will really reduce the fruit you get from it as they bloom on the end of the branch. I would selectively prune and try to keep it bushy and less tall.

++You can go with the fifteen but fill only halfway than 2 years later add more medium and so on.

Thanks Bob and Laura.

Just ordered a 10 so I'll hang on until that arrives. It's not dwarf Laura, will have to prune as if I'm pruning my redwood bonsai I guess.

Hibiscus, for some reason I do all my repotting in the garage at 2am in the morning, and give good old Sam a bone to gnaw on while he watches. The Great Pyrenees only wants to blow stuff up and eat trunks, so she is confined to her crate then :-(

Keep your container inventory under 100 unless you have a lot more tree,s in the future.

Petunia, that sounds like a good plan. Mine is a very tall tree and has a true tree shape - not bushy like Meyers. Let us know how it goes. I have a Maremma shepherd ...like a Great Pyrenees but of Italy. We all adore him! He is the mellowest dog I’ve ever had. Enjoy your tangelo!

Bob- heh heh. Just got a nice gift certificate for FW for Christmas so I'll try to keep it under 100 ;-)

Laura- friends of ours have Maremmas too. They are adorable. Rosie is pretty precious and easy going too, although she does like to bark! Not quite a year and 130#. How big is yours?

I’m not sure how much he weighs as of late...I’d guess ~100. He just turned one this month. Stubborn and smart but incredibly wonderful. He has bonded with all of us (since I’m the Mom ;), but has developed a particular friendship with my youngest son (7), who is autistic. He follows him around and they just hang out - share food, etc...He says Enzo is his puppy dog...very sweet.

Oh it's precious that he has a bond with your son. A sweet relationship like that is such a gift. You are an amazing lady Laura, all your activities, your trees and yard, your cooking abilities and a special needs little one to give extra love to. There is much more that you've talked about- don't know when you sleep.

Have seen cute Enzo but would love to see a pic of your Maremma. Here's Rosie the Great Pyrenees. Pretty sure she has some lab in her.

Thank you Petunia. I do juggle a lot, but things that bring you joy do not seem like hard work. I love to cook and spend time with my kids...would not trade it for the world. I do much prefer when my trees are outside though. Watering them is such a chore! I think Enzo likes Alex bc he must sense he is a bit more vulnerable, and it also helps that he shares his food and gives him hugs ;). It is sweet to see them together. When we first got Enzo last February, Alex did not pay much attention to him until one day, Enzo gave him a puppy love bite and he said, “Enzo is trying to eat me!” Lol...They’re buddies now.

Laura, you have unique skills give Alex. A big hug from me. Great looking kid.

I would go with the 15. If the roots are wrapped and need some trimming then when the new roots grow out they will reach the edge of the 7 and wrap very soon. The 15 is not that much bigger in Diameter than the 5. The roots will start hitting the edge of the 15 by next summer and fill out through out the 15 my the following summer. If you do transplant it make sure to keep the root warm and provide light to keep the tree actively growing. You can also wait 3 months and use the 15 gallon, and acclimate it to be outside while the roots catch up.

Thanks so much Steve. I'll wait for delivery of the 10 and see how it looks compared to the 15. Since I grow indoors year round, things grow a bit more slowly so I'm hesitant to go to the 15. But like you say might be good to wait a few months and see where things stand. Thanks again.

I agree that the 10 would be best. I forgot that you are the one with indoor trees year around. The 7 is to small in my opinion.

After looking at this picture, another one of yours, and my Shiranui, it seems that Harris cannot graft straight trees.

My grafted trees are inline from the root up into the Scion. Nothing more than 3 inches above the scion is even remotely straight. Petunia's tree looks fine.

My comments are misunderstood. I apologize. What I should have said was that the tops of the trees are always growing to one side rather than being symmetrical or well balanced.

Petunia, show us pics once you have the tree in the new container. And thanks Bob - I will!

Thanks Steve! Laura I will post pics. Just waiting for that 10 gallon pot!

Denise, I sort of like my ziggity zag trunks. They do give the tree character and are fun. Growing indoors, know I won't have the blooms and fruit of a tree grown outside, so the trunks wiggles are kind of lovely to look at ;-)

Nancy, I am just wondering how that single branch will handle future growth and weight especially growing in a container. This is just something I noticed recently with Harris trees, mine included.

That trunk will likely send out lower trunk shoots. If not the bend will not hinder the tree structurally in any way. Trees grow to alleviate any stress points and do fine.

Steve

Steve Are you saying that one limb can handle all the weight of growth for the next 10 or so years if there is no additional growth on the opposite side? It's going to get thicker and heavier. Wouldn't extra weight put excessive stress on the bend? I am sorry, but I am having a hard time envisioning it not cracking at some point if the canopy is not balanced. Maybe it's because of all the trees I have grown in the yard during my lifetime or my inexperience growing citrus trees.

Regarding my tree which is very similar to the one pictured, I do not want lower limbs growing below the existing canopy. It is easier to move the tree in and out of the house if there are no lower branches. I have two trees now that are like bushes and it's tough fighting to get them through the doorways.

Thanks for the visuals. lol. I hope I don't end up having a tree looking like any of those. I would be so disappointed and never order another tree from Harris

Steve, it is amazing how quickly you find photos to illustrate your point. Also appreciate your confidence in my trees, and that their future shapes might become some of nature's fine works of art. Or they could also be just another pretty tree. Thanks :-)