Fig (or other fruit) tree in a container?

coolaboola · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 03 Aug 2008 Posts: 63

I have a 50 x 50 x 50 cm container against a south-facing wall. It's been lying empty and forlorn for the past year.

I'm thinking I'd like to grow a dwarf fruit tree there. And, of course, I've a few questions (I've never grown a fruit tree, dwarf or otherwise):

Will a dwarf fruit tree grow there?

If so, which sort of fruit would l have most chance of success? (from what I've read so far, figs seem to be happy with confined roots - would figs grow in Dublin)

Where would I get a dwarf fruit tree in Dublin?

And how do I look after such a tree?

Thanks fellow gardners!

c

walltoall · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:31 pm Post subject: figs in a container

I'll leave other possibilities to other contributors. I want to share my experience with figs in a container. Look at my profile though (esp. the link to my website) as I am a bit away from Dublin just now!

I've a Brown Turkey fig in a large ceramic pot buried up to its neck against a south-facing wall. We get a lot of sun and very little rain. I have to water the pot (2gals) at least three times a week or I get no ripe figs.

A fig planted in a pot produces fruit; a fig planted free produces growth. I've no idea why this is, but I was told to use a pot in 2004 and it has worked. I prune after the leaves fall. Any branch not growing towards the wall or at least parallel is cut off. You want a minimum of timber delivering a maximum of fruit!

On different years I have let the fig grow out to a max. width of almost twenty feet or a min. eight. But I never the tree top seven feet. Last year was a disaster. I failed to water the fig as the Summer was so wet I did not think I needed to! bad decision. I got almost 200 baby figs but only 10 ripened towards the end of the season and after I started watering.

I'm confident a Brown Turkey Fig in a 50x50x50cm box will grow on a south facing wall in Dublin. But I really dont know whether it will succeed with the box free-standing. I'd tend to bury or half bury.

coolaboola · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 03 Aug 2008 Posts: 63

Great reply walltoall. Thank you. And food for thought... Unfortunately partilally burying isn't an option for me.

As I've been wandering around the interweb on this topic, I came across Coronet miniature apple trees (www.coronet.ie) Maybe these would be more suitable for my situation (and Dublin's climate)? I'm completely open to suggestions.

walltoall · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:24 am Post subject: container based trees

Hi Coolaboola. Just though of something! The reason for part-burying is to ensure that the tree, whatever it is can access water via it's tap-root. Could you sit your planter in a water-trough of some sort and keep that full of water?

Apple trees WILL grow in your situation. They are 'cool temperate' designed for our weather. Over here, people are looking at oranges and lemons! My bro in Bournemouth has a lemon tree in a container and gets about 50 lemons a year.

coolaboola · Hawthorn Tree Joined: 03 Aug 2008 Posts: 63

50 lemons a year?!! I'm impressed! Hmmm. Now there's another option into the pot! Smile

I'm not sure about the water trough (not that one would have been needed in our past soggy summers!)

I'm generally a believer trying to work with what works most naturally so maybe apples are a better option. (And maybe a lemon tree for fun!)