- Will a pot grown ginkgo biloba tree be successful and long lived? Will growing it in a pot curb its size? Does it need sun?
The Ginkgo biloba tree is the oldest surviving member of a group of ancient plants that grew 150 million years ago. A ginkgo can live for thousands of years as it does not have the same senescence of other plants. This is the genetic programming which causes plants and animals to die. It has a robust defence system even in very old trees given the right growing conditions. Stresses such as pests, drought, fire, flood, poor nutrition and disease will shorten its lifespan. Ginkgos will grow in hardiness zones 4-8 and require full sun. The leaves are two lobed and turn gold in the fall.
Most varieties of ginkgo grow very large-up to 100’ tall and 40’ wide. For this reason, a small variety is recommended for container growing. The ‘Pendula’ variety grows to 4-6’ in 10 years and is often top grafted. The branching form is more umbrella like than weeping. All ginkgos grow slowly the first few years. This Pendula will reach 8’ eventually. Nurseries usually supply only male trees as fruits on the female are messy and foul smelling and the male tree will not produce fruit. Ginkgos are tolerant of salinity (good for coastal gardens), air pollution, heat, a variety of soils, and deer.
For container growing start with a pot that is twice the size of the pot the tree was grown in and make sure the pot has a good drainage hole. Use quality potting soil with well rotted compost added. Feed with slow-release fertilizer in spring. Prune as necessary in January or February. Place pot on feet or a few bricks so that there is adequate drainage. Keep watered during dry weather. After a few years the tree will need to be repotted into a larger pot or it will become root bound and not grow successfully.
Ginkgos can be trained as a bonsai specimen.
Sources:
https://www.thespruce.com/ginkgo-biloba-trees-fall-foliage-champ-4119900
https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20200507033000/https://news.unt.edu/news-releases/unt-scientist-helps-discover-secret-longevity-thousand-year-old-trees
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=267947&isprofile=0&bt=4