Fruit trees in pots?

 

I am about to embark on a big -- at least it's "big" to me! -- project
in my backyard.  Involves converting a central veg. patch into a
recreational "Island" with flagstones, umbrella table and chairs,
decorative elements, potted plants.

I also want to to replace two fruit trees that bore for years, but
died a few (more than a few? who keeps track?) years ago.  I should
have done it right away; would be harvesting plums and apricots now!!!
Damn, damn damn!

Question:  I see mature fruit trees advertised on Craig's List.  They
are in pots.  How long could I keep them in pots while I work on the
project?  Can I leave them in (very large) pots indefinitely?  They
would be part of the "decorative elements".

Your experience valued.

 


I'd begin by contacting the people offering the trees and asking whether
they'll also have them available in spring or whenever. This way, they're
taking all the risks.

 


You need to supply more information, like what zone you're in
(plums/apricots won't live through a hard freeze in pots), and whether
dwarf, semi-dwarf, or full size trees.  If your ultimate goal is to
harvest fruit I would wait until you're ready to plant your fruit
trees directly into the ground.  And I'd purchase fruit trees from a
reputable local nursery.  If what you want is decorative, perhaps for
the blossoms, then buy a non fruiting flowering version.

 

Higgs Boson wrote:

How long you can keep them in the vendor's pots depends on how rootbound
they are.  If they have just been potted from bare root into a good size pot
a year or maybe two.  If they are already heavily rootbound don't even buy
them.  Look for roots running around the top at least and if the top growth
seems big for the pot try to tap them out and inspect the roots while nobody
is looking.

You can keep them in large tubs indefinitely provided you care for them.
Historically this has been done for many hundreds (probably thousands) of
years.  They will tend to dry out more than in the ground even in a big tub
and feeding is a bit more tricky.  The trees will be dwarfed when they
become rootbound but this may not be such a bad thing.  A small fruit tree
like a cumquat may even reach its full size.  I have a Kaffir lime in a 60cm
(2ft) tub that is doing well it has nearly stopped growing at about 1.2m
(4ft) but that suits me fine.

David

 



You are a disgusting creature.  Get you mind above your belt.

Irrelevant to anything David has written in this thread.


Yep, you'v got a mind like a cesspit.