| Miniature Fruit Trees |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-209 |
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Q: How can I grow citrus trees in a colder climate?
A: (Jessie Mack Burns, Gardening Expert) How about growing citrus trees in containers and then bringing them inside when you need to? Here are some tips to get you started: - When choosing what to grow in containers, consider tangelos, which have great fragrant flowers. Or you may want to grow a miniature variety of a citrus plant, but keep in mind that "miniature" means that the fruit will be small -- the tree can still grow large. Limes are another option, and you can see the small limes develop from the flowers (figure A).
- Self-watering containers (figure B) are great for container citrus trees. They have a hole on the side where you can add water -- and insert your finger to see if the tree needs more. They're also good because they offer drainage and citrus trees don't like to get too wet.
- To pot a citrus plant, start with a layer of soil on the bottom of the pot so the tree's roots won't encounter the pot. Also make sure you put in just enough soil so that the root ball is barely covered. If the trunk is below the soil line, it will rot.
- To keep the tree small, allow it to be root-bound. But make sure there is enough soil on the sides of the pot so the tree can absorb water.
- Use one of the special fertilizers designed for citrus trees. Try time-release spikes, which you set around the root ball. That way you don't have to remember to fertilize again for a long time.
- If you like citrus without a lot of excess sugar, consider a miniature orange tree. Its fruit has the orange flavor and is great for cooking but it isn't super sweet like the larger fruit.
- If your citrus tree doesn't seem to ever bear fruit, it may be because your tree has been grown from seed, instead of a graft that provides a fruit-bearing root system. Trees grown from seed may flower, but won't fruit.
More Questions for Jessie:
Q: I have a Brazilian banana tree with fruit on it but it doesn't seem to be ripening. The outer covering has shed. When do I pick the fruit?
A: If the outside layer has fallen off the fruit should be ripening. Try picking one or two as a test and waiting a week or so to see if they ripen. If not, try another test in a few more days.
Q: I have an avocado tree with one branch reaching 15 feet and another reaching 10 feet. Should I prune the tallest branch?
A: Yes, if you want the tree to start sending out some lateral growth.
Q: I have a hard time getting plum, peach and apple trees to hold their fruit. They either drop off or produce very little. How do I get more production?
A: It may be that the flowers are getting hit by frost. That would cause the fruit to fall off more quickly. And you might have a drought problem -- check to make sure the trees are getting enough water. Web site resources for Mini Fruit Trees: Fruit Trees from HGTV.Com Minarette Fruit Trees from E-Garden.Co.Uk Book: Backyard Fruits and Berries: Everything You Need To Know About Planting and Growing Fruits and Berries
by Miranda Smith
ISBN: 0875966381
St. Martin's Press
175 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212-982-3900
Fax: 212-777-6359
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