Growing fruit trees in containers

Plant them in good-sized containers with best quality container mix, give them lots of sunshine and see to their water and nutritional needs and your potted fruit trees will reward you with plenty to pick.

Choose smaller trees. Smaller growing fruit tree varieties may be naturally small growing trees or larger growing varieties that have been grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock.

Choose bigger pots. The larger the container, the more nutrients and water it can hold and therefore, the more fruit it will support. Half wine barrels are ideal. Large ceramic pots are also very attractive, but heavy. Plastic tubs are lighter and easier to move about. Sitting heavy pots on casters makes them easier to move about and helps with drainage.

Invest in fresh, top quality planting mix. Ordinary garden soil is not a good option for trees growing in pots. The better the quality of the potting mix, the longer it will last and the better your trees will grow in it. The best mixes have excellent water holding capacity but drain freely. Ideally, they contain a wetting agent.

Water regularly. In hot dry weather daily watering is best. Generally, it’s time to water when the top cm of potting mix becomes dry to touch. Take the time to water thoroughly. When repotting or potting up new trees, leave enough space for water to pool and soak in. Old or dry potting mix repels water. Apply wetting agent to help water soak thoroughly throughout the potting mix. This is ideally added at planting time but can also be sprinkled over the top of the surface later.

TIP: Regular watering and feeding is vital for fruit trees growing in containers.

Feed them well. To optimise fruiting, choose balanced fertilisers designed for fruit trees in pots. Fertilisers too high in nitrogen can lead to excessive leafy growth at the expense of fruit. Seaweed solution used in conjunction with fertiliser helps maintain healthy root function.

Transplant or repot. After three to five years in a container it is common for a tree to become stressed. At this stage it can be transplanted into the garden, into a bigger container, or returned to the same container with pruned roots and fresh potting mix. The top growth should also be pruned to promote new growth and relieve stress on the roots as the tree settles into new growth. Water thoroughly after repotting.

Fruit to grow for large pots and tubs

• Kumquat
• Mandarins
• Lemon Meyer
• Lime Bears
• Orange Harwood Late
• Tangelo Bay Gold
• Ballerina Apple
• Dwarf Apple Blush Babe
• Dwarf Peach Honey Babe
• Dwarf Nectarine Garden Delight
• Olives
• Figs
• Berries

 

 

Look for these products, tips and advice at an Go Gardening garden centre near you.

Orange in a terracotta pot

Fig in a terracotta pot

Apple in a ceramic pot