Container fruit trees for warmer climates.\
Marshall C.
8 years ago
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
8 years agoMarshall C.
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Dwarf Fruit Tree -vs- Pruning Standard Fruit Tree?
Comments (18)Fruitnut, I have 2 methods and I'm sharing my trade secrets here (what the hell- I'm 6 months from 60 and hope to retire in 25 years anyway). I start some plants straight in the ground, planting them way too close in a fenced off area. Planting them close makes maintenance per plant much less expensive given that it's all done by hand (don't ask). For apples in my climate it takes about 3 years to size them up to about 1.5" diameter- at least when planted this close. I carefully dig up these BR and put them in short 20 gallon pots (wide and shallow) in a mix of 1 part peat, 1 composted wood chips or stable waste ( almost pure humus with some carbo lumps) and 1 sand, plus a little wood ash. They limp the first season but I sell them the next for around $180 per. At this point they are bearing, 12' tall and well branched and the foliage is back to mormal. Other trees I transfer to Carl Whitcomb grow bags in real soil and let them grow about another 3 years and sell them for $250 per, or less to contractors. The grow bags I use are his last edition because they allow more root out of the bag and I can grow them without any irrigation at all- even through drought. Irrigation would reduce production by about a year, I'm sure, but in my operation only my potted plants get any and they are set in the soil as well. I always take some trees in the grow bags, remove the bags and put them into 25 Gallon pots with the soil intact but surrounded by my potting mix which allows me to sell some larger trees during the growing season. Surprisingly the soil surrounded by potting mix works very well and you might want to try that method for your trees as the soil gives you much more bang per square inch and costs less. Repotting would require only replacing the artificial soil on the edge of the soil ball. It makes things real heavy though, and my soil is not too fine so I don't know how it would work with a more clay soil but I bet it would work just fine. I'm sure my prices seem outrageous by your regional standards but I'm less than an hour from NYC and here it's more than competitive- it's the best deal around- because I have scores of varieties and they're actually properly shaped for fruit production. They also plug in better than the competitions BB'd trees, especially the ones I have in pots....See MoreContainer grown fruit trees - planing for winter protection
Comments (18)I was reading about muscadines and found a reference to Jaboticaba. At first I did a double-take, because the webpage was describing what muscadines tasted like and said they tasted more like a Jaboticaba fruit than a regular grape. I looked further and realized the website was for Austrailian gardeners. Then I thought, "What is a Jaboticaba?" and searched for the word. The first thing I saw was a picture that showed the fruit stuck to the trunk of the tree rather than on the tips of the branches, which really peaked my interest. After reading about the Jaboticaba on wikipedia, I immediately went to google shopping, because I had to have one if at all possible. I found an Amazon merchant, Hirt's Gardens, that had them for $15, so I ordered it. The tree is small but darling. Since I live in Zone 7, I may never get it to bear fruit, but it will make a great looking houseplant during the winter for years to come. It can provide company for my ficus tree that I've had for 30 years. The place where I ordered it, sells them for Bonsai growers. It would make a great Bonsai because it has tiny leaves the size of my fingernail. From what I've read, they grow very slowly and make great Bonsai specimens. I'm planning to let it grow as fast as I an get it to grow by keeping it outdoors until frost and then bring it indoors for the winter. My tree from Amazon/Hirt's Gardens is a small leaf variety of Myrciaria Cauliflora. It's funny that the Latin name is "Cauliflora", because when they bear fruit, they remind me of Brussels Sprouts. The one I got is actually prettier than the picture they have online. It is about 9 inches tall and really bushy. They had it pruned to look like a little oak tree or something. How much has yours grown in the past year? I got mine about 2 weeks ago, and it has already put on a new set of leaves over most of the top. It has about 2 inches of fresh new growth this season. Here is a link that might be useful: Jaboticaba Fruit Tree Plant - Bonsai or Houseplant...See MoreGetting ripe fruits in cold climates,in pot!
Comments (15)Herman I still need help. I have 4 varieties I planted outside and I am planning to use Xmas lights to protect it in freezing weather. But I am also intrigued with your method and I don't want to leave a stone unturned in my endeavor to have delicious ripe figs. I decided to add two varieties and plant it using your method. Italian Ever-bearing 3 Gallons 4 feet : What Size a pot should I use. Celestial 1 Gallon 1 1/2 feet: What size a pot I should use. How many holes in the pot side and should I use specific pattern to make the holes or any thing goes. In winter time they go into my basement where the heat unit, the hot water unit and the Washer and Dryer reside. I think the room environment will be suitable because temperature never goes below 55. Inside the house in winter season should I give it any water. Appreciate your help....See MoreFruit Trees in containers
Comments (23)It's been a while, over a year now, since I updated. A lot has gone on! I have currently in the ground... Stella Cherry Dolgo crabapple Seneca Plum Desert King Fig Three espalier fruit trees - Orcas and Comice pears, and Karmijn De Sonnaville apple A few small japanese maples two Hydrangeas two quince bushes Several gooseberries, blueberries, currants, huckleberries, lingonberries Misc herbs and flowers Plus 4 raised veggie beds. I have quite a few figs in containers along my fence line, as well as an ultra-dwarf peach and nectarine. It's been a lot of work. Still not done. I have several plants outside that still need to go in the ground and I hope to get that done this weekend. Everything is young and immature so the yard looks sparse but give it a few years and it'll look nice. Before: (before the dogs destroyed the grass) Hardscape done The new hammock chair swing thingy on the pergola. There will be grapes growing on this pergola once it is big enough to survive the dogs. rain chain Water feature up and running Planted thyme around the flagstone Dolgo crabapple and Inaba Shidare JM Tulip beauty in front of the raised veg beds Young Seneca Plum, Tulips, Pixie JM Pixie JM Aoba Jo JM We have lots of protective gear for the plants to keep the pups from plowing into them I need an updated pic that shows the whole yard. My goal is to finally clean up the yard this weekend. It's in a constant state of weeding, planting, mulching......See Moretapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
8 years agoMarshall C.
8 years agoJay Part Shade (Zone 10B, S21, Los Angeles)
8 years agoMarshall C. thanked Jay Part Shade (Zone 10B, S21, Los Angeles)Marshall C.
8 years ago
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Jay Part Shade (Zone 10B, S21, Los Angeles)