Fruit Trees

[hoomin_erra]

Hey all

Spring is coming, and i'm planning my garden for the year.

Now to my question. Lidl is selling 6' fruit trees for about a fiver each. I have a very small garden, surrounded by 5' high stone walls, so growing on the ground isn't a good idea, so everything is going on the roof in containers. My question is, has anyone tried these, and will they grow well in a large pot?

[Wombat]

Hey HE!

What sort of fruit?

Nev

[hoomin_erra]

Commice Pears
Conference Pears
about 3 varieties of apple
a few varieties of plum

There might be a few others, not 100% sure.

[Enormous Sage]

Commice Pears
Conference Pears
about 3 varieties of apple
a few varieties of plum

There might be a few others, not 100% sure.

My book of worldy fruit-knowledge (!) says you can grow apple trees in pots.
Note the following (it says)
1) Need to water them every day in the summer
2) Free draining is essential (put the pots up on bricks)
3) Feeding is essential every other week from blossom time to shortly before harvest.

You will also need a "polination partner" (i.e. at least one or two other trees) unless you live in an area where other people have apple trees, as few apple trees are self pollinating.

It also recommends the following varieties for pots :

Blenheim Orange
Discovery
Ergemont Russet
Fiesta
Greensleeves
James Grieve
Katy
Prince Albert
Spartan
Sunset

If you're going to go to the trouble of growing a tree in a pot, it may be worthwhile paying a bit more and buying one of the dwarf varieties that will work well in a pot.

I'm not an expert, I'm just relaying what it says in me book!
Good luck to you :)

[Green Rosie]

I had a fruit tree in a pot but it never did very well - even though it was well watered.

Do any of the walls in you garden get some sun - you could try training a fruit tree along a sunnier wall.

Also important to know what size rootstock the tree is grafted onto - or you could end up with a monster tree in your small garden. Unfortunately most places selling trees do not give any information about the rootstock. Best to go to a specialist if you can,

[Annpan]

AAAAAAHHHH!

I want some... must get to Lidl... quick...

[hoomin_erra]

Thanks for the advice guys, i'll give it a go and see what happens.

Rosie, no such luck, all my walls face away from the sun. Kitchen roof is the only option.

Annpan if you can't find any, i KNOW the one in Possilpark has some.

[Annpan]

Cor Possil... nice

I'll try my local one first, and I am going to Greenock tomorrow, I can't see me having time to make a pitstop in the badlands but thanks for the tip

[hoomin_erra]

Badlnads, yup, that about sums it up. Luckily i only have to pass thru there occasionally for work.!!