skip to main content

Fruit & Orchards

First year growing fruit

14 years ago

Last year I started vegetable gardening in raised beds. I found I really enjoyed growing things. So this year, I decided to try my hand at fruits also.

My soil is clay but berms and/or raised beds really weren't an option. But the fruit tree area does have a pretty decent slope so I'm hoping most of the water will drain off. I am thinking of adding some french drains too, if needed.

I purchased three figs and two citrus in containers a few months ago (LSU Purple, Alma, Celeste, Moro Blood and Owari). An received a tall unknown mandarin as a gift over Christmas. The Lowes tag only says mandarin.

I also purchased five bare root persimmons and a bare root asian pear.

Everything looks to be growing well except for the persimmons and they haven't broken dormancy yet.

Should I be removing all of the fruit from all of the trees since they are first year trees? Does that include the Breba figs that are forming on my LSU purple?

And if the answer is "yes" to fruit removal, should I just pinch off the fruit/blossom swelling?

Thank you in advance,

Gregg

Comment (1)

fruitnut Z7 4500ft SW TX
14 years ago
Gregg:

My opinion is they won't set much fruit this year. If they do I thin extra heavily and leave a few. Sort of the bird in hand vs two in bush deal. My opinion again is that a little fruit can't really hurt much. Growing conditions will affect tree growth, size, and future production much more than a few fruit left on a small tree. My trees nearly always bear well every year once they start. And they usually start the 2nd or 3rd year.
Related Discussions
Bugs eating apple leaves
Q
Comments (6)
more than likely its a caterpillar of some type ive been fighting them already in my trees ..a spray of malathion should cure that for you i usually spray it on my non producing trees once a month just to keep them out of them.
...See More
apricot trees
Q
Comments (1)
Those folks have more negative reviews than positive. I'd ditch them asap. Moorpark isn't likely to do well in your area. It needs cold winters, or at least cool, and won't like hot humid summers. Check out the fruits offered by Just Fruits and Exotics near you. They will steer you in the right direction. Here is a link that might be useful: Just Fruits
...See More
Blueberry to prune or enjoy first year fruit update
Q
Comments (4)
I have to admit though that I was surprised by the amount of fruit on the plants this year. I would guess that the plants that were allowed to fruit their first year have 75% as many flowers the plants that were not allowed to fruit. I would have bet the % would be much less.
...See More
My first year growing roses from seed. I have my first bud!
Q
Comments (5)
The first has bloomed now, and I've posted pictures. I'm doing a time lapse video of these growing, so I think I have the light too far away to accommodate the cameras. They are under a 7" humidity dome, and the light is on top. If I didn't have to accommodate the cameras, I'd put the light about an inch or two away from the top of the plant.
...See More

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow 10 Favorite Fruit Trees at Home

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant a mini orchard in fall, winter or early spring to enjoy fresh-off-the-tree fruit the following year

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Grow Blueberries for Their Fruit and More

By Ellen Sousa/Turkey Hill Brook Farm

Eastern gardeners should consider growing blueberry plants for their delicious fruits, bee-friendly spring blooms and brilliant fall foliage

FALL GARDENING 5 Fall Fruits You Can Grow in Containers

Brighten your porch or patio with a potted pomegranate, kumquat, blueberry bush or another great fall fruit

EDIBLE GARDENS Grow Plum Hybrids for Your Favorite Fruit Flavors

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plums are cozying up with apricots, peaches and even cherries — here’s how to grow these hybrids for the best aspects of each

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Peaches and Nectarines

By Marianne Lipanovich

Make gardening a little sweeter with these juicy fruits, which you can eat after plucking or preserve for later

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Sweet Summer Crops

By Marianne Lipanovich

This guide will help any gardener get started on growing the freshest warm-season veggies and berries for summer

SPRING GARDENING Summer Crops: How to Grow Strawberries

By Marianne Lipanovich

Pluck your own sweet strawberries right from the garden vine for smoothies, salads or eating then and there

SUMMER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Summer Crops: How to Grow Beans

By Marianne Lipanovich

Grow your own beans for amazing variety and healthy, convenient produce all summer

SUMMER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES How to Grow Your Own Fresh, Sweet Corn

By Marianne Lipanovich

Here's how to plant and care for your own mini cornfield

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Tomatoes

By Marianne Lipanovich

Plant tomato seedlings in spring for one of the best tastes of summer, fresh from your backyard

Sponsored

More Discussions

raise the soil level around a grapevine

2

best cantaloupe for this area?

0

Small pomegranate for container?

1

No flowers on my apricot tree?

6

Beginner apple tree initial care

0