skip to main content

Greenhouses & Garden Structures

Which varieties of fruit are best for a greenhouse

14 years ago

I'm probably going to purchase the 10X12 HFGH and would like to use it to grow vegetables and, more importantly, provide protection for fruits that don't otherwise grow in zone 8B in CA.

I already have a Rio Red grapefruit tree that I got a year ago and is in a 5 gallon container. I've managed to keep it alive (we've had lows in the low 20s this year) using blankets so I think I could probably grow this, and more tropical fruits, in a greenhouse.

How many trees would a greenhouse of this size hold? I would plan on moving the trees out during the spring as the weather for most of the year is suitable for citrus and tropical fruits but my winters are a little too cold.

Some of the things I would like to grow would be pineapple, mango, guava, and blood orange (along with my grapefruit). Are some of these fruits better/worse than others for a greenhouse? Are there varieties of these fruits that would do better in a greenhouse but still taste good?

Thanks and I'd be interested in any other advice anyone cares to share.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

stressbaby
14 years ago
I grow all of the plants you mention in my GH.

What you are really asking is which fruits grow well in containers. Quick list:
Lemon guava
Strawberry guava
Guava 'Nana'
Pineapple (I haven't had mine fruit yet but friends have)
Citrus
Mango (Get the so-called "Condo Mangos" like Cogshall)
Jaboticaba
Pitanga (Surinam Cherry) or really any of the Eugenia/Syzygiums
Dragonfruit
Carambola (Starfruit)
Coffee
Maybe others, can't remember right now
stressbaby
14 years ago
Oops, forgot my favorite, Lychees
Related Discussions
Best of the Best tasting apple varieties
Q
Comments (60)
Reviving this awesome apple thread. I was reading through what I posted and I am amused by how quickly things change. at least half of the apples I listed have fallen off my own list. I've grafted over most of my spigold because it's really not that good after all. Mutsu is also somewhat uninteresting these days. Here is my new list of favorites: - coconut crunch is extraordinary in our climate and keeps really well - sinta, fruited for the first time last Fall, delicious strong pineapple flavor - Fiesta, really good for a Summer apple - Williams pride, my tastiest Summet apple after Viking - Orin, great storage apple that still has that tropical pineapple flavor in March - alkmene, yummy summer August apple that tastes lime a cox but even better - kidds orange red, superb in the Fall - Haralson, fruits well here in California and its good - transparente de cronkels, delicious and high quality I still love gravenstein, hauer pippin and granny smith off my old list. I am curious what will stand out this year, as it surely won't be the same as last year. -
...See More
which mail order company best to order fruit trees from
Q
Comments (17)
two thumbs up for Schlabach's Nursery in New York! They are Amish so no ordering on the internet nor credit cards taken. They accept orders by mail only. They do use a phone for business purposes and are happy to answer any questions over the phone. Really great selection and pricing. I have purchased from them for my own use and for commercial purposes many times. David and his family do a fantastic job. They offer their apple trees on numerous rootstocks. Their catalog only lists the choices as "dwarf" or 'Semi-dwarf" but if you call and ask they will tell you what rootstocks the apple variety is available on. I always write on the order what rootstock I want and they honor my request. Located in Medina, NY.
...See More
Cacti for fruit production -- best species, varieties?
Q
Comments (6)
Cris, there is a species by goes by the common name of Dragon Fruit It grows up in trees, and is tropical. The fruit comes in yellow, Red, with lots of seeds inside. I have told that it is wonderful. I saw pictures of this fruit a couple of weeks ago, but I can't eat it because of the seeds. But this will give you something to go on. The leaves of this plant are three sided, and a member of the cactus family. One of the gals at the Huntington Gardens showed it to me at the last sell, the plant sells very rapidly. Norma
...See More
Fig report: which fig varieties did best for you this year?
Q
Comments (10)
Yes Herman I'm speaking about the dark Danny's Delight. The fact that so many collectors received a green Danny's Delight has caused this fig to have a bad reputation. But, the one that we have in ground, is indeed dark. We have been winter protecting it, now for three years by bending it to the ground, covering it with compost, then insulating it. I hope to start testing it the 2013/2014 winter, without winter protection. It is reputed to have been able to handle Michigan zone 5b/6a weather. Because we are also in a zone 5b/6a, we wanted to grow and test it here. So far it is the best tasting cold hardy fig I have ever tasted. I'm happy to hear that you will be comparing it against Malta Black, to see if they are the same. This is an impressive fig. Not only for it's great taste, but also, it is a heavy bearing fig, wet soil resistant, and is another early bearing fig, for those of us in very short growing areas. Now if it can handle as much cold as Marseilles Black VS, it will be truly a great northern fig. Bob - Connecticut - Zone 5b/6a
...See More
catbox_9
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks!

Speaking of lychees, they had some at a grocery store last year and I bought a few and they were one of the most disgusting things I've ever eaten. I'm wondering if that's how they're supposed to taste or if they're actually good.

For years I wouldn't eat papaya because the first one I ever ate was rotten and smelled like vomit. I finally tried another one and it turns out they're pretty good (still not as good as mango though).
stressbaby
14 years ago
Did you get canned or fresh? Canned lychees vs (good) fresh lychees is like canned peaches in heavy syrup vs (good) fresh peaches...no comparison.

I'm not sure I ever recall anyone complaining about a bad fresh lychee, though I'm sure it could happen. A good fresh lychee is a delight. It is the "King of Fruits" in China.

Sweetheart lychees in Missouri, just starting to turn:
{{gwi:286027}}
eric_wa
14 years ago
catbox9,

I'd also recommend a Meyer Lemon tree. I'd also suggest you pot up your grapefruit to a much larger container. 30 or 50 gallon.

Eric
catbox_9
Original Author
14 years ago
In response to the last 2....

They were fresh lychees. I've heard they don't last long fresh so perhaps they were rotten.

I transplanted my grapefruit to a 10 gallon container yesterday. It's only a dwarf variety (up to 8 feet) - will I really need 30-50 gallons for it?

--------

How would a kaffir lime do? I hadn't thought about lemons or limes much since they're so ubiquitous at the grocery store year round but kaffir limes seem rather interesting although I've never had one.
eric_wa
14 years ago
cat,

If you base the pot size to the rule of fertilizing fruit trees, it would be something like this. For every inch of caliper of tree trunk, there's a foot of root zone. When or if the grapefruit becomes 3" you should have a 6ft container. This is not practical. My Meyer lemon was in a 30" nursery pot for many years. Now it's planted in the raised bed of the greenhouse.

Lemons maybe everywhere but home grown is always better.

Eric

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 6 New Plant Varieties That Beat Out Their Parents

With better resistance and fewer demands, these garden beauties are worth a spot on your wish list

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Which Pergola Is Right for You?

By Joanna Tovia

A covered pergola can increase the time you spend in your outdoor living space. Which covering should you choose?

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Crazy for Fruit Trees

By Marianne Lipanovich

Whether a single citrus or a mini apple orchard, even the smallest landscape space can bear deliriously delicious fruit

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

FARM YOUR YARD If You Have Room for Only One Fruit Tree ...

Juice up a small garden with one of these easier-care or worth-the-effort fruit trees for a mild climate

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

MOST POPULAR How to Get Rid of Those Pesky Summer Fruit Flies

By Mitchell Parker

Learn what fruit flies are, how to prevent them and how to get rid of them in your home

ENTERTAINING Eye-Catching Centerpieces Beyond Flowers and Fruit

By Catherine Funkhouser

Use your imagination to create a tableau that reflects your surroundings, creates dramatic tension or elicits surprise

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

Sponsored

More Discussions

Thoughts on this as a greenhouse / sun room?

2

Greenhouse Orientation, which way to angle an odd shape?

0

Gazebo structure help

1