Hello Oh Wise Ones,
My 10 lovely whips have arrived from North Carolina and I'm going to be container planting them. Any advice on special issues I should address as I plant them up? I'm putting them in 12" x 11" fiber pots until Spring, in a nice compost/potting soil mix. Should I do anything else to take special are of these babies until March? They're all about 36" tall.
Thanks all so much,
Cyndi
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Just keep their hull’s ... I mean roots from freezing! Remember, a potted plant can freeze from the sides in, top down & bottom up. I’d huddle their pots together and burry them all with insulating soil of some kind.
So, these are first year 'whips' grafted last Spring, grown this Summer and shipped now? Or more likely Budded just over a year ago, giving you two year roots and a solid years top growth?
Be planning on, or digging those "ten dollar holes for your five dollar trees!" Actually, there's no reason (I can think of) not to start planting them in their permanent locations. Also, decide on their ultimate shape: Central Leader or Open Vase ... or were you going to Espalier them..? Guess I'll hold off on any pruning advice...
Viron,
So, these are first year 'whips' grafted last Spring, grown this Summer and shipped now? Or more likely Budded just over a year ago, giving you two year roots and a solid years top growth?
I believe you have the timing of their growth correct. I was hoping for a more open center shape for them but would a central leader allow me to keep them a bit more narrow in growth? I was thinking I'd have to wait until early Spring to start shaping. There are a couple of I was thinking of trying to espalier, I figured I had until later in the winter to make those decisions.
Is Spring when I'll have to sacrifice their current height to get them going at the height I want to?
Once I've potted them all and grouped them together in back, should I wrap the pots in a surround of bubble wrap? I'm thinking that would be easiest for my limited space and funds.
Okay, the thing about their permanent location is.... we're in a rental so my plan has been to plant them in large containers for their semi-permanent locations. I just figured I'd stretch the investment out a little over the winter and start them in these medium size fiber containers. In the early Spring I'll place them in 30 gal. containers. Your thoughts.......?
Thanks,
Cyndi
Cyndi, your potting and grouping sounds fine; just make sure the roots get some moisture this winter. You could also bury the temporary pots in some loose soil for this winter; I wouldn't go to the expense of Bubble-wrap. Or bunch them together and toss garden / flowerbed soil between and around them... I wouldn't mound it too high around their bases.
30 Gal. containers sound like a good plan … just don't invite me when it's time to haul them off 
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An open vase puts their 'spread' up higher, a central leader keeps it lower. I like my trees up and away from my eyes, mower, deer and kids (in about that order). A backyard Orchardist I knew (passed HOS Member) did nothing-but central leader trees; they were in pretty tight quarters too... that's actually a good question - I'd say they likely even out. You generally get your best production further from the trunk, so you're going to want the branches to expand either way. Another nice thing about an open vase shape is your ability to eventually climb into the center to harvest and prune...
If you decide on an open vase shape you'll have to ‘prune down’ to a bud at your highest desired limb; then expect 3 or 4 buds below it to push 'limbs' too. - And - keep in mind the height of your pot and the fact your trees will eventually be several inches lower when planted out. As far as how best to establish a central leader ... I forget!
You might also place a stiff stake inside the larger pots, for tying them against wind damage... Otherwise, your entire lives are ahead of you 
Idyllwild
simplepress
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
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