Types of Dwarf Fruit Trees
Dwarf fruit trees are made by grafting a normal branch of a fruiting tree onto a potted dwarf rootstock, creating a dwarf tree with fruit the same size as a regular fruit tree. Dwarf fruit trees can be grown in confined areas. Does this Spark an idea?
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Citrus
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Oranges, lemons, limes grapefruit, mandarins and kumquats can all be found in dwarf varieties. Dwarf citrus trees can be grown in pots, and prefer a wide, rather than deep pot, due to their shallow root system. Dwarf citrus trees should be re-potted every three years into fresh potting mix, and they are best when pruned regularly, maintaining not only a healthy plant, but an attractive topiary.
Stone Fruit
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Stone fruit, such as peaches, plums, nectarines, apricots and cherries, can be successfully grown as dwarf trees. Dwarf and potted stone fruit trees need a couple of years before fruiting, but afterwards, will fruit well annually, according to Gardening Australia. The crops from dwarf trees are typically less than crops harvested from a normal sized tree, simply because of the size differences in the trees. Most stone fruit, especially peaches, nectarines and apricots, need a cold snap in order to stimulate growth but then full sunshine is needed for fruit to ripen.
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Apple
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Most apple varieties can be dwarfed for growing in containers, but hardy, disease-resistant types are best. Dwarf apples need to be either self-fertile, or planted with a companion tree in order to cross-pollinate and produce fruit. Dwarf apples generally fruit after about three years.
Pears
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Not all pear types come as dwarf varieties, and they can be more temperamental dwarf trees to tend than other fruit trees. Pears tend to be the largest of dwarf varieties, and need a good two or three years of uninterrupted root growth before fruiting. Pears should be fed organic fertilizer, and pruned in winter or early spring.
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