Well, conditionally, possibly yes. I say that with many caveats. For those like myself, who can grow container citrus outside all year long in a relatively dry Mediterranean climate, you probably can get away with it (like you'll see in Italy). Since I don't have to deal with constant drenching rains, or having to bring my container citrus inside every winter, and by using well draining potting mix, and watching the mix for collapse, as well as watering carefully, making sure the pot is draining correctly, and making sure I flush my pots out well to remove built up fertilizer salts (lots of caveats), I can use larger containers for my citrus. Doubt anyone could go "decades" without repotting - your potting mix would wear out and collapse. So, decades, no. Buy yourself several years, possibly, depending on where you live, potting mix, care, watering, drainage, weather, etc.

Patty S.

Patty is exactly right. You will have to choose your potting mix very carefully. The usual peat based stuff would never maintain its structure for more than a couple of years.....if that. Plus, a dense medium can really cause major problems when used in a very large container (with a small plant) .

So, do your research carefully when selecting a medium to make or buy.

But re-read Patty's post. What you're wanting to do is not in the best interest of the plant, though very convenient for you. :-)

I understand not wanting to pot up every year. So I potted up from a 5 gallon paint pail that my 18.5 mount old tree out grew root wise and repotted in a 27.5 gallon half drum. The soil is coned so I can place a plastic cone on top and shield from unwanted rain. My poncirus trifoliata will be taken down in my basement and be put under lights in a grow box I will plant yellow summer crookneck squash around its periphery for fresh squash and to take up the excess water. The squash will wilt before the tree feel the dryness and will let me know when to water. I will foliar feed poncirus to see that she gets fed adequately. My soil mix is rich enough that it is full of beading earthworms. I compost to feed the tree as well as the earth worms

If you click on the link below you can see what I did as far as lighting and potting through the winter time citrus blues.

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Poncirus trifoliata in it's new plastic 55 gallon half barrel

Steve

Here is a link that might be useful: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/citrus/msg0320572518736.html

editing out my duplicate post

Steve

Here is a link that might be useful: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/citrus/msg0320572518736.html

This post was edited by poncirusguy on Mon, Sep 2, 13 at 23:00