Does this pot need drainage holes ?

[Footle]

I have a beautiful little birch tree that seeded itself in a bucket in the garden. I want to transplant it into a large plastic pot as we don't have room for a full size birch tree, and I love it too much to liberate it into the wild.

I'll put stones into the pot before filling it with soil and compost. Do I need to make some drainage holes in the pot first ? There are none at the moment.

[Footle]

I'll take that as a yes, then.

[traviata]

yes! otherwise it will be birch soup after a couple of rain showers.

[PurpleWithRed]

Yes! Yes you do, or It will rot at the bottom and it will get sour and smelly. Sorry, was on mil threads giving more or less the same advice really...

[Footle]

I'm also a mil, and always try my best not to get sour or smelly. Must check my drainage holes..
The pot has thingies in the bottom which I suspect are meant to be punched open. Don't grown ups just sort of know stuff like this ?

[shovetheholly]

Use a drill if necessary!!

[Ferguson]

And as I recently said to someone else regarding little trees, it can be fun to Bonsai them. That way they stay really small, but can look old after a few years.

Find a Bonsai enthusiasts web site for more information.

[Footle]

Thanks about the drill.

Re bonsai - it's already about a metre tall. It's such a satisfying shape , I'd be afraid of spoiling it. But I will look it up, thank you.

[hairymuffet]

You could try pushing a screwdriver through the thingies at the bottom, sometimes that works, without a drill.