With their radiant white trunks, delicate branches and poetic charisma, birch trees are probably the most decorative of all trees. This is why they are so popular in gardens. If you are longing for your own little birch after a walk through the forest, but don't have a garden, you should not immediately dismiss the idea: you could grow a birch in a pot.
Birch trees only thrive in large enough pots
Birch in a pot - is that possible permanently?
Small seedlings are sold at the nursery in containers or planters. Even self-breeding from seedlings or from many other methods of propagating a birch on your own usually begin their life in pots. In fact, there is nothing wrong with keeping the tree as a potted plant. So you can pull the birch on the balcony, on the terrace or on a small plot if there is no large garden available.
Suitable tree species for keeping in pots
The plants of the genus Betula are therefore quite suitable for life in pots, as they are basically very frugal. Even outdoors, you primarily need unrestricted access to as many hours of intense light as possible. Add to that sufficient water, and birch trees thrive almost everywhere - on extremely poor soil right down to the gutters of some old houses. Which birch you choose is up to personal taste in terms of appearance. Weeping birch trees are a particular recommendation as they generally don't tend to grow excessively tall.
Proper care for birch in a pot
While a free-growing tree does not actually need any help from its gardener - apart from access to sufficient light and water - the main aim of caring for the birch in the pot is to keep the tree rather small and well-formed. The less space the roots get, the less the tree will expand upwards.
Occasional fertilizing can help so that it still thrives intensively. Even if you put your birch in new soil every spring, you contribute to an adequate supply of nutrients. Regular bonsai pruning also keeps your tree in shape. In summer, it is advisable to place the root ball in a water bath once or twice a week until no more air bubbles rise.