How to Care for Dwarf Fruit Tree Pots

Many varieties of fruit can be grown in pots.

Planting and growing dwarf fruit trees in pots is ideal for those with little gardening space, as well as people who live in climates that are not conducive to growing fruit. Providing your potted fruit tree adequate light, temperature, humidity, fertilizer and pruning are crucial to your tree's health. However, even with the best care, fruit production from a dwarf fruit tree pot will never equal that of the fruit produced on trees in the ground.

Things You'll Need

• Growing container
• Screen mesh
• Gravel
• Potting Soil
• Mulch
• Water-soluble fertilizer
• Pruning shears or sharp knife

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of screen mesh and place it over the drainage hole of your pot to prevent the wash out of soil. Place a layer of gravel in the bottom of the container to facilitate drainage.

2. Mix one part sand, one part peat and one part bark, perlite or vermiculite, or purchase a commercially made potting soil.

3. Partially fill the container and place the plant in the pot to the depth at which the plant was previously grown. Finish filling the pot so that the final soil is 1 to 4 inches below the rim of the container to allow for watering. Top with mulch, if desired.

4. Provide adequate lighting. Most fruit trees thrive in full sunlight. However, avoid rapid changes in light exposure; light consistency helps to facilitate fruiting.

5. Provide consistent temperatures for your potted fruit tree. Protect the tree from freezing temperatures by covering it with blankets, paper or other material, but remove the material each morning to give the tree access to the warm sunlight. If you move your potted fruit tree inside to protect it from the cold, keep it away from drafts and heating vents.

6. Water potted fruit plants only as needed. The upper surface of the potting soil should be allowed to become dry to the touch before watering. Remember that soil in plastic, metal and ceramic containers stays wet longer than in wood or clay containers.

7. Fertilize with water-soluble, complete and balanced fertilizer that contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for dosage and application, but do not over fertilize, as this will result in overgrowth and poor fruit.

8. Perform light pruning to force branching and bushiness, only if the plant becomes "leggy" and runs up.

Tips & Warnings

• Whiskey barrels cut in half make excellent pots for dwarf fruit trees.

References

• University of Florida: Growing Fruit Crops in Containers
• Texas A&M: Home Fruit Production, Citrus