Container fruit tree gardening tips and great ideas

Container fruit tree gardening is here for everyone. There are just so many varieties of trees suitable for container planting. Moreover new varieties are continually coming on stream.

Fruit trees especially, look absolutely fabulous in containers. And they can be very productive, too. Right: Dwarf Cumquat tree!

Nearly every tree is able to be grown in a container. And if you can’t grow the species you’d like because of space restrictions, go for a dwarf species (Not Stumpy-dwarf, though. And anyway, Stumpy prefers the term “Gnome” ever since Snow White’s accusation) Dwarf species can be picked up in most good nurseries. So take advantage of this.

Right- Passionfruit grown in a container

There are just so many containers out there- so stick to what looks good and feels right for your space. I favour containers with inbuilt water tanks in the bottom. Such not only hold water, but you can add liquid fertilizers that can be drawn up into root systems.

Unglazed terracotta look good, but need to be water- proofed. The sealant for such should be readily obtainable at your local nursery.

Large, black plastic pots are generally cheap but can look rather unsightly. Hide them inside a planter box, a wooden tub or a half-barrel. Barrels look fantastic. You can, of course, use these wooden containers themselves. However, they need to be made rot-resistant by treating with a wood preservative.

Tip - Growing Media (Potting Mix)for container fruit tree gardening

Where a fruit tree’s roots are confined, a perfect growing media is essential.

The mix needs both an adequate amount of water and also needs to be able to drain well. Most potting mixes are fine, just steer clear of the really cheap ones. Like most things in life, we usually get what we pay for.

These days you can buy potting mixtures that contain water-holding crystals and slow-release fertilizers. These I recommend; they save time and produce good results.

An additional consideration: potting mixes are generally free from disease. And unlike those spade-full’s of soil from your garden, they have been tested for their viability over years of competition. So use a potting mix!

Tips - Fertilizers for container fruit tree gardening The inorganic, mixed N:P:K fertilizers are not really suitable for trees in very confined spaces. It is best to rely on the slow-release type. You can also use animal manures, blood-and-bone supplemented with wood ash, or the man-made slow-release fertilizers such as Nutricote, Osmocote. Citrus trees are likely to need additional nitrogenous fertilizers, and these are best applied in small amounts two or three times a year.

Stumpy insists on telling you that if you live in an apartment use inorganic fertilizers. Yep, no chook pooh and such. Inorganics have no smell and do not attract flies, etc.. But if you insist on using an organic, then liquid sea-weeds are the go.

Tip - Watering for container fruit tree gardening

Watering is critical All trees require water. And the smaller they and those containers are, the more frequent will need be the watering – particularly during hot, windy spells. Watering by hand or hose can do the job, but a permanent trickle-system that waters the entire garden at the same time is best.

When those delicate potted trees are to be left unattended, cover them with shade cloth or move them to a shaded area. Tip. Large bottles of water, turned upside down, and pricked into the tops will provide a small amount of water for quite a while. Water trees with a soluble water mixture such as Aqua sol.

Pruning for container fruit tree gardening

Dwarf species generally do not require pruning. With potted trees, the lower branches should branch out about 30 centimeters above the soil’s surface. Lateral shoots can be taken away by pinching, i.e. by removing their growing tips, when they are about 20 centimeters long. Main branches should not be more than 60-70 centimeters long. Moreover, the laterals arising from these should be spaced no closer than 20 centimeters, and they may need tipping or pruning back to 2 to 3 leaves in Summer to kerb their vigour.

Sunlight is needed for healthy flower buds to form. Bees transfer pollen from one flower to another. And, as you may be aware, in some species we have male and female trees. Some trees will not set fruit unless cross pollinated. It is possible to buy multi-grafted trees to fix this problem. Yes, and you will get two different fruits- double bonus! Once the tree starts bearing, the amount of fruit it is allowed to carry should b

Pests for container fruit tree gardening

Ants like to farm aphids on fruit trees. To keep ‘em off, use double-sided tape around the trunk. This’ll deter them. Also, don’t allow your tree to learn against or touch others, so that the ants can find another way. They can be tricky blighters. Snails. These can be controlled by baits. Birds can be kept away by netting.

Fruit Trees in Confined Spaces

You’ve got a very narrow piece of ground? Many kinds of fruit tree can be grown right up close against a brick wall or a fence. This can be very beneficial in a colder region where a brick wall can continue to radiate heat overnight. Such radiation can create its own mini-ecosystem, protecting those

plants from frost and strong winds.

Grape vines, Kiwi Fruit, and the least demanding of all, Passion fruit, love to climb over walls. They just need a little training to get them started. Attach them to the wall and watch ‘em grow.

Care for your Fruit Trees

People talk of “The Green Thumb.” Thumbs have little to do with it. It’s love. Love what you do; love your plants. Do this, and use as many tips as you need from those provided to you in this website and success will come. More about container gardening will be coming in the future. Certain species will be selected and further tips given. See you soon.

Happy Gardening! Marty and Stumpy

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container fruit tree gardening dwarf species