Patio Fruit Trees

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Patio Fruit Trees
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moogie

Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Near Bridgend

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 05 12:38 pm Post subject: Patio Fruit Trees

I have been thinking about getting some fruit trees for a while, but because my garden is pretty small I was wondering about patio fruit trees. Has anyone had any experience of growing fruit trees in pots, like the lemons and oranges you see in garden centres? They seem quite pricey so I don't want to invest unless they are any good. Also, if they are any good, does anyone have any suggestions where to buy good quality ones from?

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 05 12:42 pm Post subject:
Bugs and I have lemons and other citrus, I'll post a details reply tonight. Actually, there's room for an article here, especially about lemons. I've had my fair share of problems with them though, but I think they will be worth it in the long run.

moogie

Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Near Bridgend

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 05 1:11 pm Post subject:
Thanks Treacodactyl, that'd be great.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 05 2:45 pm Post subject:
Moogie, the current issue of Kitchen Garden has an article by Bob (as he's known to his friends ) on growing lemons and oranges. The magazine is always worth a read anyway but it might be worth trying to pick this one up.

moogie

Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Near Bridgend

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 05 5:40 pm Post subject:
thanks bugs shall give it alook

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 05 6:10 pm Post subject:
Whatabout stepover apples - has anyone done them - I think they'd make lovely edging for a herb or fruit bed (and I'd be able to reach the apples!) But they need 'pruning' which is scary (Mostly I do 'chopping bits off' but feel I have mastered 'cut-back hard' I'm definatly not up to 'pruning' the damn tree never looks like in the books)

moggins

Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 05 7:36 pm Post subject:
I've just bought a patio pear from Wilkinsons which cost me �4.99, they also have apples, lemons, figs etc. I bought a grape vine too which hopefully will lead to some nice wine in a few years

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Feb 25, 05 8:23 pm Post subject:

I've bought citrus trees from various places. My best deal was the first one. A Good sized lemon tree from Homebase. It it's first year it produced about 10 lemons. I have also have a lime from a specialist grower, but it's not grown very well and limes are difficult to grow,

I've had to take back a kumquat from another DIY store as it died within days of me buying it. Looking at the store they had put them directly under a heater and cooked it.

I have a couple of lemons and a mandarin from a local nursery that seem to be ok. Another good starter is a limekuat, small lime type fruits are produced and can be used.

I have had a steep learning curve and had a few problems but I think they can be worth it. Lemons will spend months on a tree before they need to be used so you can fresh lemons most of the year.

I would start with a reasonable lemon tree as they are some of the most hardy trees and can be the most useful. My top tip would be to look at some of the DIY stores and note or ask when they get their deliveries in. Then turn up and get them direct from their delivery and the shop has less time to harm them.

They will be happy on the patio until the weather gets cold. They will need to spend the winter somewhere frost free and preferably light. Water with rain water and feed if you expect flowers and fruit.

They can suffer from a few pests, greenfly and scale tend to thrive in our house during the winter. Don't over water or they can die. They can be fussy with their pots but I'm undecided what's best.

I think I may write an article on 'em as home made lemon curd from your own hen's eggs and lemons is wonderful.

Pilsbury

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 5645
Location: East london/Essex

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 05 12:25 pm Post subject:
I bought a couple of apple and a pear tree from wilkinson and put them in big pots, they all seemed to have taken well in the couple of months they have been in and one of the apples has 5 blossom buds at the top! cant wait to to see how they come on .

moogie

Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Near Bridgend

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 05 3:22 pm Post subject:
Bought a couple of apples and a pear from Wilkos this afternoon and had fun at lidl's this morning. Big consumer day for me!!! Shall see how I get on. The trees look quite promising - all leafy and green. Shall pop them in tomorrow.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45669
Location: Essex

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 05 3:23 pm Post subject:
Leafy and green already? Mine are just thinking about it

moogie

Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Near Bridgend

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 05 5:26 pm Post subject:
Well they are leafy and green in the little boxes they came in from Wilkos. I intend to put them in the greenhouse until teh weather warms up cos I don't want the leafy green bits falling off

moggins

Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester

Posted: Thu Mar 03, 05 7:09 pm Post subject:
They are good aren't they moogie? I was really surprised at the quality of them considering the price. Did you see the grapevines too? I've just given my patio pear away to a neighbour who took my children in on Saturday when we had the fire brigade here so I have to go in on Saturday and replace it.

moogie

Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Near Bridgend

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 05 10:54 am Post subject:
Didn't see the grapevines - there wasn't much in there actually but going back on monday to get some oranges and lemons which they didn't have in so will have a look then.

moggins

Joined: 24 Feb 2005
Posts: 942
Location: Gloucester

Posted: Fri Mar 04, 05 11:29 am Post subject:
moggie if you can't get the grapevines down there then give me a shout and I'll get what you want and post it to you.

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