Dear Home Orcharders within earshot --
I live in Sunny Southern California and my backyard is full of concrete. I didn't put it there - it was there when I inherited my backyard.
I want fruit trees. The only way I can have them it to pot them and place them along a long block wall that spans the backyard.
My questions are:
(1) How large do the pots have to be to enjoy fruit success? (I certainly want to plant oranges, lemons and limes for starters.)
(2) Should I choose dwarf trees?
(3) Can anyone tell me which varieties would be most successful?
There's my starting point. I hope to hear from someone who in interested in potted fruit trees too.
Thanks,
Kathleen
Unfortunately, I have never grown any citrus in pots, I have apples, pears, cherries and plums in containers. I did find these websites that might help.
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ ... sta81.html
http://www.fourwindsgrowers.co.....iners.html
Hopefully someone will have more information. This is a pretty helpful place. Good Luck
Greg
The first thought that came into my head was "Remove the concrete, of course." For me, having plants in pots in sun pretty much guarantees that at some point I will let them dry out too much and they'll die.
Is there some reason, since you own the property, that you can't remove at least some of the concrete?
mh
Well -- the deal with the concrete -- the former owner had visions of working on his race cars and motor homes and boats in this backyard, adjacent to the pool. Some day, I hope we can remove the concrete - but putting a few kids through college is the financial priority. I have to guess that the removal of this much concrete is just too pricy.
The articles listed above give very promising guidance on planting citrus trees in pots! I can do that!
I'll keep the trees watered - I promise. 
Kathleen
I hope you will try growing apples too. Here's an article about growing apples in Southern California:
[url:pav39p0m]http://www.fruitforum.net/apples-in-a-warm-climate.htm[/url:pav39p0m]
I've heard conflicting advice about rootstocks for apples in containers. Some say use the ultra-dwarf M27, others say use a vigourous rootstock because the container itself will limit the size of the tree and a vigorous rootstock will be a bit more tolerant of the tough conditions in a container.
I live in a marginal are for citrus and my citrus only grow successfully espelliared up against brick walls. Unfortunately I had the same problem you have when I moved in here two years ago as there were concrete paths along all the walls.
The concrete was a home jobby and not very thick so I could cut out squares with a crowbar. They are very happy plants now as the concrete helps warm them in winter and keeps the roots cool in summer. It also helps keep the water from evaporating. I would put in a seep pipe to if you think you will have have trouble getting water in.
Most of the Old italians I know grow their whole gardens in 'holes in the concrete', and they have the best produce around.
I do grow them in pots also and they are some of the best trees for it. Especially the cumquats. Just real pretty! But they need WATER and lots of it. I would sort out a drip system as a priority as it is a lot more efficient and you wont get so many stains on the concrete.
bag
I have a lemon and a blood orange tree growing in their own 3 foot pots. They have been there for over 5 years and are still giving fruit. Unfortunately I can't remember if they are dwarfs or miniatures. I live in San Jose, CA about 60 South of San Francisco. Just keep them fertilized and watered and add some potting soil every other year. I use a drip system which waters a little, daily. I fertilize twice a year.
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