You may remember that a few weeks ago now I posted that we had ordered a cherry tree from Orange Pippin Fruit Trees. You may also remember that this tree wasn't destined for life on the plot but was going to take up residence in a container in our garden where we could keep a closer eye on it and hopefully end up with more cherries than we have so far managed from the tree planted on the plot. After advice from the staff at Orange Pippin we settled for the variety Stella and ordered a 2 year old pot grown bush-tree on Gisela 5 rootstock.
We were promised delivery in the week beginning 24 September and true to their word on 24 September we received an email saying that our tree had been desptached and would be arriving within the next couple of days. The next morning the tree arrived.
Attached to the tree was a very detailed label giving lots of information about the tree, its rootstock and how and where it had been grown. It also had detailed information about planting and aftercare.
As the tree was still in the pot that it had been grown in all we had to do was unpack it and set it aside until it stopped raining long enough for us to repot it into a larger container.
In preparation we had bought a pack or air-pots. These come as a flat pack from which you make cylindrical containers. The science behind how these pots work is quite complicated (well I find it complicated) so if you want to know more about them go and read what they say on their website here. In short the tree roots are air pruned which encourages the production of a more healthy root system in plants growing in containers.
It may look a bit bizarre but hopefully what was already a good root system should flourish and the tree should provide us with lots of delicious cherries.
We haven't decided on where in the garden Stella's permanent home will be but for now she is settling into her new surroundings alongside the greenhouse. Here she should be given some shelter if winter is cruel.
We have definitely been happy with the service we have received from Orange Pippin and are pleased with the quality of the tree - now it's down to the tree and to our care of it! Fingers crossed that I can report a good cherry harvest if not next July then the one after!
Remember if you ever buy a fruit tree from Orange Pippin don't forget they are offering a 5% discount on any order made by visitors to my website using my links if the voucher code GLALLOT is quoted when ordering. The company ship to various parts of Europe and also have a sister site that is US based. The 5% discount on the US site is exclusive of delivery charge. Just in case you are wondering I'm not on commission although I did get a discount on my tree for adding a link to them from my sites.
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Hello, Stella... That air-pot thingy looks bizarre, but I bet it works well. I wonder if it would still work OK if you slipped it inside a larger pot (with plenty of air-space), just for cosmetic reasons?
ReplyDeleteI wondered that too Mark - I'll have to email them to ask.
DeleteI kind of like the look of the air pot...I think it's unusual characteristics are quite pleasing to the eye.
ReplyDeleteI think I would worry about so much cold getting in if we had a really harsh winter though and couldn't find anything about this on their site.
Anyway, the tree sure looks healthy and I will keep my fingers crossed for a wonderful cherry harvest for you.
I wrapped up the peach pot with bubblewrap last year so will probably do this for the fruit trees again this year Tanya
DeleteI think I would be inclined to do the same thing Sue...better safe than sorry.
DeleteThe tree looks very healthy. I'm going to have a read about the pot now, I haven't seen those before.
ReplyDeleteMartyn is always coming up with unusual products, Jo - I'll have to cut his housekeeping allowance.
DeleteNever realised that Cherry can be grown in pot. Hope it fruits next season.
ReplyDeleteIt's all down to the rootstock Diana. It has to be a dwarfing stock.
DeleteLooks like a really healthy cherry tree. The pot you described sounds interesting and looks attractive too.
ReplyDeleteJust hope it comes up with the cherries I'm looking forward to Kelli.
DeleteHow do I get to Martyn's blog??
ReplyDeleteGo to my blog sidebar and under Our other blogs & Websites is
DeleteA Gardener's Weather Diary that's Martyn's blog. Here's a direct link here to speed things up this time
The air pot is fascinating. I kind of like the knobbly look of it too. I will be really interested to see how if it works.
ReplyDeleteSo will we, Liz
DeleteHi Sue, what a lovely looking tree, I will certainly check their site out when I get around to ordering some fruit. Those air pots are very intriguing, I shall have to read about them - though they remind me of carpet underlay!
ReplyDeleteIt is a good specimen Janet, although the company isn't the cheapest at least the trees aren't just maidens.
DeleteSorry due yo his post being bombarded with spam IO am shutting down the comments facility on this post. If you want to make a comment on this subject please add to one of the other postings.
ReplyDelete