By Alexa1
United Kingdom 
I bought bare root cherry,plum, apple and pear trees to grow in containers. having planted them and given them all a helping of bone & fish meal fertiliser the cherry and plum do not seem as happy as the apple and pear. How often should I give the fertiliser ( there is no time scale on the box and I daren't overdo it ) As a novice I would be very grateful for any advice.
15 May, 2011
Answers
Could you also say how big your containers are?
15 May, 2011
I wouldn't feed new bare root trees any more til they've got a bit more established. Watering thoroughly is the key to this. If they are looking OK after next winter, I'd feed then, either with slow release fertilizer granules worked into the compost, or with a small amount of liquid feed added to the water every few weeks in spring and summer.
15 May, 2011
Most people definitely over fed with FB&B. A small handful will do a square metre, so in a small container probably no more than a table spoonful would be enough.
15 May, 2011
When I potted up my dwarf trees (in 30L big black pots) I used John Innes No3 - for trees etc - so I didn't think I'd really need to feed them this year as I thought there'd be plenty feed in the compost........
16 May, 2011
I agree with you Donnaj
16 May, 2011
About every 4-6 weeks, but keep the watering up, that's the most important thing (assuming you've good drainage in the pots, which is essential). Cherries particularly are surface rooting, and often don't too well in pots.
15 May, 2011