skip to main content

Container Gardening Fruit & Orchards

Success growing apricot or peaches in containers?

Travis in PHX (9b)

last year

Hi all,
I purchased an apricot tree last fall with the intention of keeping it in a container, due to space and HOA constraints. I was under the impression that with proper pruning (top and root), I could keep this small and happy. I recently heard a trusted source (Ed Laivo) say that he doesn't think any stone fruit can do well in a container. He said they do well for about 3 years and then they start to dwindle. He said the rootstock are so vigorous and don't adapt well to container culture. He said root pruning will set the tree back about 2 years, so it becomes a self-defeating cycle. He said citrus are very adaptable to containers, but not stone fruit. He likened it to fish in a fishbowl. Some fish will adapt well to the smaller environment, and some won't. FWIW, Ed is a big name in the "small tree" movement so I know his perspective isn't coming from a place of ignorance regarding how to keep trees small.
Anyway, I'm less than 1 year into this apricot tree, so too early for me to tell, but I'm heartbroken at the thought of having to get rid of this tree so quickly. Can anyone confirm or refute Ed's assertion with their own experiences?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

iochroma
last year
There are true dwarf peaches that can live in a big container, and it should be a really big container, especially in AZ.

I'm not sure if they would get enough chilling hours in PHX to flower and fruit well. And you will want two different varieties for cross pollenation.

Citrus are way easier.
Travis in PHX (9b)
Original Author
last year
Thanks for the input. I purchased my apricot and peach trees from a reputable, local grower and both varieties were recommended by my local Co-op, so I trust the varieties can do well in my location. I'm just not sure they can be kept in containers 😥.
Related Discussions
container apricots: question for Fruitnut
Q
Comments (4)
Wow, that's interesting you are already shuck split in zone 6. And you say they are about to go outdoors. Where have they been this winter and how did you get chilling? For fertilizer I've used 21-0-0 or one of those slow release complete fertilizers, usually some of both. As long as you get adequate growth you are OK. I thin to about a 6 inch spacing. Could probably leave more but highest brix was always my goal. To do that you can't over crop. On a 4x5ft tree maybe 50-60 fruit but that's a pure guess. I just go by looks number of fruit compared to amount of leaves. Water is a key factor but I never figured out how to optimize watering in a pot. Sometimes the fruit was great and sometimes not so much.
...See More
Success of Fruit trees Transferred to Containers?
Q
Comments (14)
Thanks Fruitnut, sheltering them is the only thing that I have not thought of doing. I guess that the light bulb would definitely offer a good heat source to some degree. I have a very long tarp (about 80 feet). I would just have to make sure that the bulb does stays steady and in a very secure location under the shelter. Fruitnut, in your honest opinion, do you think that I could transfer my plum trees to containers in their dormant season and still get a decent harvest come spring? I really want to do this because I love plums and I want to grow my own because they are never satisfactory in the grocery stores or even farmers markets and I am definitely willing to give this a try! I will experiment with the holes in the containers to see if I can get the draining to take 10-15 minutes like yours...thanks so much for all your advice! Also, northwoodswis4-thank you as well, I have 5 nanking cherry trees and they are pretty strong and steady, these trees are close to problem free--but I do inspect them all and I have no intentions on potting these. They seem to tolerate the cold pretty well. I am really just focused on the plums ( 6 trees in total)since they are my favorite fruit!!! Lol.
...See More
Plum+Apricot+Peach? Is there such a thing?
Q
Comments (6)
I agree (how could you not) that it is not possible for an apricot to change to a peach branch so I will have to climb in there and get a better look. I can post pictures if needed. There is absolutely no question that the peaches are growing off of the "mini trunk" coming off of the main trunk from which the apricots grew, no doubt below the graft for the pluot. Perhaps there is a graft on that trunk for the apricot/peache tree. Interesting though, that we got a huge crop of pluots and peaches, but no apriots. Perhaps the broken branch two years ago was too much damage to recover and the peach section took over. thanks all for the input. Bill
...See More
Calgary peach / nectarine growing
Q
Comments (43)
After further review of my peaches the buds appeared to look good but none shot out flowers . This is due to the same reason my apricots didn’t. Prolonged minus 30 kills off the flowers but the tree still survives. Maybe when everything is aligned properly noon and stars ect... I will get some big peaches :) until than I will keep updating this thread.
...See More
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
last year
Sure they can (be grown in containers). No problem. If you're confident in your ability to grow other woody plants in pots, those you mentioned won't be different enough to present any significant issues.

Al
Travis in PHX (9b) thanked tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
Travis in PHX (9b)
Original Author
last year
Thanks Al! I only have about 3 years experience, and that is mostly citrus, which I hear is easier than other types. I hope I can develop enough competency to make this work, although I'm encouraged that you think it is possible!
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
last year
For the most part, woody plants (in containers) are more cohesive when it comes to what they want, than they are when it comes to what they will tolerate, though there are those with their own quirks. Almost all trees will grow well in a medium that allows you to water pretty much at will. If you can (but don't necessarily do) water on a schedule (as opposed to watering on an as-needed basis) you have a grow medium that's a keeper. Most fruiting trees like full sun, a 2:1:2 ratio fertilizer, and an acidic grow medium (around 5.5-6.0). About the fertilizer ..... good 2:1:2 ratio fertilizers (10-5-10 would be an example) aren't easy to find in packaging less than 50 lbs. If you're already using Foliage-Pro 9-3-6, just keep using it, but supplement the solution with half as much ProTeKt 0-0-3 as the 9-3-6. I.e., if you're using a teaspoon of 9-3-6 per gallon, use half that amount of ProTeKt 0-0-3. Be sure to read fertilizer packaging instructions so as to avoid the precipitation of ingredients that can occur when not mixing correctly. The inclusion of the ProTeKt is an excellent strategy for plants like hibiscus, which just generally needs more K than N, and fruit trees that want/need that extra measure of K when they arrive at sexual maturity/ begin fruiting.

When it's time to repot, I would repot the plant before it starts pushing new growth in spring. That way, the plant will wake up more gradually, with blooms and new leaves emerging as the root system is able to support the new growth. When repotting too late, it can have a bigger impact in blooms and fruiting.

Al
Travis in PHX (9b) thanked tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
Travis in PHX (9b)
Original Author
last year
Thank you! I have all my potted trees in a modified 5-1-1 and on a drip schedule that seems to work well. I have Osmocote Plus in the mix and supplement with Foliage Pro. I will admit, I used FP less during the last season since the drip system was working so well and it's a bear to water by hand in the Phoenix summers, but I plan to save one watering each week to do by hand and add FP. I have ProTeKt but I haven't used it much, so I'll include that in my weekly FP watering.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
last year
Best luck, Travis.

Al

Related Stories

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

GARDENING GUIDES How to Grow Trees in Containers

Get tips on how to grow and maintain healthy trees — and which types to choose — from landscape design pros

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Apricots

By Marianne Lipanovich

Velvety fruit, pretty blossoms and interesting bark make apricot trees a delight — and they’re great for smaller gardens

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

FARM YOUR YARD Farm-to-Table: Growing Your Food Indoors

By Aislin Gibson

A self-admitted plant killer-turned-urban homesteader shares her secrets on successfully growing edible plants indoors

CONTAINER GARDENS 7 Deer-Resistant Flowers for Your Summer Containers

Grow these as protection for edibles or just for their colorful beauty — deer might not like them, but everyone else will

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Luscious Cherries

By Marianne Lipanovich

Nope, they’re not the easiest fruit to grow. But with spectacular blossoms and pies as possibilities, cherries are sure worth a try

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

CURB APPEAL Crazy for Colorful Cones: 5 Container Plantings Beyond the Bowl

Give even a small garden an exuberant vibe with hanging cones overflowing with blooming beauties

EDIBLE GARDENS Why Grow Quince? For Beauty, Fragrance and Old-Time Flavor

By Marianne Lipanovich

Delightfully perfumed fruit and lovely spring blossoms make this apple and pear cousin worth a spot in the garden

Sponsored

More Discussions

what is wrong with my indoor mango????

13

Advice on planting blueberry plant

9

Peach trees need help!

1

beginning fruit or new leaves

6

Peach Tree Leaf Curl

6