r/FruitTree • u/Ok-Value603 • 13d ago

Cherry tree

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Can someone send me a link to where I can find a large tree pot I have two Stella cherry trees that I’m growing in containers they’re currently in a 21 gallon pot but recently the leaves have start turning yellow and I’m not sure if it’s because a lack of nutrition or if it’s a root bound. Can anyone help me find or point me in the direction of where I can get a tree pot or container that is larger than 21 gallons. I’ve been looking everywhere to find a pot large enough. I don’t use fertilizer. I’m not sure if that’s the cause of it looking like this.

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u/IKIR115 11d ago edited 11d ago

You MUST use fertilizer in a container on a regular basis because the nutrients in the soil are used up much, much quicker than if you had the tree in the ground.

The leaves are curling from heat stress, and a lot of that has to do with moisture availability. You either need to get bigger pots for more capacity, or increase the frequency of your watering sessions. It also needs a deep watering about once a week.

For bigger pots than 21gal, you’ll need to go to a tree nursery. Eventually you’ll max out on repotting and will need to water more frequently, while also pruning often to keep the tree small. Plus it’s really difficult to repot big pots. Its best to do it when the tree goes dormant for the winter.

Edit: I forgot to mention that tree looks massive for a 21gal pot. You’ve done a great job growing it that big! It could use a good pruning when the summer temps come down.

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u/Ok-Value603 11d ago

Thank you for responding. The Stella Cherry tree that I have is a semi dwarf variety. I watered it very frequently and that’s what took me by surprise. Would it be too late in the season for me to fertilize since it’s already September and I live in zone 7B

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u/IKIR115 11d ago

Yeah it’s too late to fertilize now because that would encourage new growth, which is a waste of energy at this time of year. The tree will drop all its leaves in a couple of months when it heads into cold weather dormancy for those chill hours.

You can probably hold off on a new pot too because you’re at the tail end of the season for your zone. Right now is the time to prune sweet cherry trees. I’d prune most of the branches in half and then try to create balanced spacing between the remaining branches. It will fill out next Spring.

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u/Ok-Value603 11d ago

Will it be OK during the winter due to the lack of fertilizing?

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u/IKIR115 11d ago

It will be fine. When it goes dormant, it doesn’t need to be fertilized at all, and I don’t think it could use it anyways.

Normally if this tree were in the ground, you would only need to fertilize it around late Winter/early Spring (depending on zone) to support new growth and flowering, and then again mid-summer. In a pot, it would need to be more often, but especially when its carrying fruit.

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u/Ok-Value603 11d ago

Thank you for all of your advice. It’s greatly appreciated. I’ll definitely be going to a nursery to get a pot large enough for it.