Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: londongardener on January 23, 2008, 14:44

Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: londongardener on January 23, 2008, 14:44
Has anyone done this successfully ?
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: Trillium on January 23, 2008, 16:56
I haven't, myself. But knowing how apple trees grow, you'd either need a very huge pot or a very dwarf variety of apple to survive a pot long term.
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: londongardener on January 23, 2008, 17:02
Sorry I should have said with M27 trees.
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: Scribbler on January 23, 2008, 17:09
Ah that will be in Hampshire then... :D
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: gobs on January 23, 2008, 17:55
:lol:  :lol: Right.
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: londongardener on January 23, 2008, 21:12
Quote from: "gobs"
:lol:  :lol: Right.


Any helpful remarks ??
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: gobs on January 23, 2008, 21:16
No, it's all hopeless as you see, none of us online so far have grown them.
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: igorina on January 24, 2008, 11:51
I've read that M27 rootstock apple trees do fine in container as long as they are big enough. The bigger the better.

I'm hoping to get an apple tree. I'll be getting a massive pot. At least if its too big i can put some bedding plants in to make it look nice.
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: Scribbler on January 24, 2008, 11:57
Have a look - seems pots are preferable

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_september_2_apple_m27.htm
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: londongardener on January 24, 2008, 11:58
Quote from: "igorina"
I've read that M27 rootstock apple trees do fine in container as long as they are big enough. The bigger the better.

I'm hoping to get an apple tree. I'll be getting a massive pot. At least if its too big i can put some bedding plants in to make it look nice.

I read that too.  However so far no apples.
I put them in the biggest pot I could find.
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: gobs on January 24, 2008, 12:52
Well, I haven't grown any fruit but blueberries in a pot. But I imagine you chose a self-fertile one and your pot is plastic or wood (50-60 litres at least) and you are feeding monthly and watering a lot.

So then only thing is, how old is it? Did you have flowers? And did it have a cold spell of winter last year?
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: londongardener on January 24, 2008, 14:58
Quote from: "gobs"
Well, I haven't grown any fruit but blueberries in a pot. But I imagine you chose a self-fertile one and your pot is plastic or wood (50-60 litres at least) and you are feeding monthly and watering a lot.

So then only thing is, how old is it? Did you have flowers? And did it have a cold spell of winter last year?

3 years.
I only planted it in March.  At first I did not always water enough but now it gets plenty and I give it in the summer tomate food.
Anything else that would be a good idea.

What do people think about this ?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml?xml=/property/2006/10/31/porchard31.xml

Quote
The crucial thing with container-grown trees is to keep them well- watered, particularly during hot summers. Adding water-retaining granules to the soil may be a sensible option, as is mulching or underplanting with spring bulbs or shallow-rooted plants that will keep weeds down and moisture in. (Remember, other plants will compete with the tree for nutrients, so a little extra feeding may be necessary.) Or, for the ultimate in productive, space-saving and decorative gardening, how about surrounding your little tree with strawberries?
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: DeadlyNightshade on January 24, 2008, 15:56
I've only bought ones last year, no idea what rootstocks though.

As I did have neither the room nor the inclination to leave a planted apple tree behind me should I leave I put them in large pots. Eventhough they were only bought and planted that same season (and a bit late too :( ) I had 28 Apples between 2 of them- well, WOULD HAVE HAD: the crows and the wind reduced them to four and then they finally picked the last ones into bits :(

The trees were about 1,50 m high when I bought them and were from Lidl and Woolworth  


Bell
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: londongardener on January 24, 2008, 16:11
Quote from: "DeadlyNightshade"
I've only bought ones last year, no idea what rootstocks though.

As I did have neither the room nor the inclination to leave a planted apple tree behind me should I leave I put them in large pots. Eventhough they were only bought and planted that same season (and a bit late too :( ) I had 28 Apples between 2 of them- well, WOULD HAVE HAD: the crows and the wind reduced them to four and then they finally picked the last ones into bits :(

The trees were about 1,50 m high when I bought them and were from Lidl and Woolworth  


Bell

Try using rubbish cds stuck back to back and hung from a swing.
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: Aidy on January 24, 2008, 16:15
I have and do, we have had our pipkins for several years now, you really have to feed them and water them during the summer but we always get a decent crop from it, well a dozen or so, but it is a small tree. Last year it didnt do as well as a mould got to it but I am hoping that this year it will get back to normal.
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: londongardener on January 24, 2008, 16:25
Quote from: "Aidy"
I have and do, we have had our pipkins for several years now, you really have to feed them and water them during the summer but we always get a decent crop from it, well a dozen or so, but it is a small tree. Last year it didnt do as well as a mould got to it but I am hoping that this year it will get back to normal.



What do you feed them with ?

With regard to watering do you make sure they are well drained.  Or just put something under neath and make sure that it always has water ?

Please tell all rootstock, variety, pot everything.
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: Aidy on January 24, 2008, 16:35
Generally chuck a load of muck i bring home from the lotty in the spring then throughout the summer give a doze of blood and bone. Normally we would give them about 5 litres a day with the watering can and yes it is free draining. Our is in a half barrel, I will post a photo at weekend when its light.
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: brucesgirl on January 24, 2008, 16:36
Dad has a small apple tree in a pot and it did do well until last year, when it had a bumper crop of apples which went a lovely red, but were as hard as conkers!!

We have now re-planted it into the ground so hope it wil do better this year.
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: londongardener on January 24, 2008, 16:41
Quote from: "Aidy"
Generally chuck a load of muck i bring home from the lotty in the spring then throughout the summer give a doze of blood and bone. Normally we would give them about 5 litres a day with the watering can and yes it is free draining. Our is in a half barrel, I will post a photo at weekend when its light.


By muck do you mean compost ?

Blood ?  Sorry I am a new gardener.

What variety have you got ?  Or is pipkins a variety ?
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: Aidy on January 24, 2008, 16:59
Quote from: "londongardener"
Quote from: "Aidy"
Generally chuck a load of muck i bring home from the lotty in the spring then throughout the summer give a doze of blood and bone. Normally we would give them about 5 litres a day with the watering can and yes it is free draining. Our is in a half barrel, I will post a photo at weekend when its light.


By muck do you mean compost ?

Blood ?  Sorry I am a new gardener.

What variety have you got ?  Or is pipkins a variety ?

Sorry, Muck= rotted manure and Blood= dried and blood and bone, get it from a proper garden centre, they will advise you the best. Should be able to buy the manure in a bag if you dont have a lotty to rot it down. Yes I think the variety is pipkins orange, if I remember
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: gobs on January 24, 2008, 17:03
Pippins?
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: Aidy on January 24, 2008, 17:05
Quote from: "gobs"
Pippins?
Thats it  :wink:  well done Gobs, obviously younger than I you can remember things (or more sober :wink: )
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: gobs on January 24, 2008, 17:06
It's only five o'clock :!:  :lol:
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: londongardener on January 25, 2008, 16:19
Quote from: "Aidy"

Sorry, Muck= rotted manure and Blood= dried and blood and bone, get it from a proper garden centre, they will advise you the best. Should be able to buy the manure in a bag if you dont have a lotty to rot it down. Yes I think the variety is pipkins orange, if I remember

The boss (wife) might not like rotted manure do you think compost would do ?
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: gobs on January 25, 2008, 16:28
I don't think so. Well rotted manure is quite like compost. Don't tell her what it is. :wink:
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: Selkie on January 25, 2008, 16:35
Quote from: "gobs"
I don't think so. Well rotted manure is quite like compost. Don't tell her what it is. :wink:


Gobs, I was thinking the same thing! Ignorance is bliss!! :D
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: Aidy on January 25, 2008, 16:40
Quote from: "londongardener"
Quote from: "Aidy"

Sorry, Muck= rotted manure and Blood= dried and blood and bone, get it from a proper garden centre, they will advise you the best. Should be able to buy the manure in a bag if you dont have a lotty to rot it down. Yes I think the variety is pipkins orange, if I remember

The boss (wife) might not like rotted manure do you think compost would do ?


If it is well rotted it dont smell so dont worry. And who listens to the wife anyway  :roll:
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: londongardener on January 25, 2008, 16:44
Quote from: "Aidy"

If it is well rotted it dont smell so dont worry. And who listens to the wife anyway  :roll:

Ok I am under the thumb.


It took me 2 years to get a wardrobe when we bought our first flat.


So the best idea is just to chuck it on top of the soil ?

About watering if you are going away can you leave the pot standing in water so it does not dry out ??
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: Aidy on January 25, 2008, 20:37
Quote from: "londongardener"
Quote from: "Aidy"

If it is well rotted it dont smell so dont worry. And who listens to the wife anyway  :roll:



So the best idea is just to chuck it on top of the soil ?

About watering if you are going away can you leave the pot standing in water so it does not dry out ??

Yes to the first and dont know to the second but cant see why not, I have neighbours that will water when we are away and its hot, you really only need to water everday when they are fruiting.
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: DeadlyNightshade on January 25, 2008, 22:21
I've never watered my pot apples regularly, but I suppose in the permanent irish rain it isn't really necessary ;)

And no fertilizer at all, actually I grew al lot of other things in the same pot: sunflowers in each one, additionally peas, cauliflower and beans as well. But the soil there were planted in was from beside the feeding trough of cattle, so probably all the dung mixed with very poor soil might be ok for them.
Title: Apple trees in pots
Post by: londongardener on January 26, 2008, 16:32
Quote from: "DeadlyNightshade"
I've never watered my pot apples regularly, but I suppose in the permanent irish rain it isn't really necessary ;)

And no fertilizer at all, actually I grew al lot of other things in the same pot: sunflowers in each one, additionally peas, cauliflower and beans as well. But the soil there were planted in was from beside the feeding trough of cattle, so probably all the dung mixed with very poor soil might be ok for them.



Quote from: "DeadlyNightshade"

And no fertilizer at all, actually I grew al lot of other things in the same pot: sunflowers in each one, additionally peas, cauliflower and beans as well. But the soil there were planted in was from beside the feeding trough of cattle, so probably all the dung mixed with very poor soil might be ok for them.


Really ?  Why did you that ?  Lack of space or because they go well together ?

How big were the pots ?
It sounds an interesting idea please give more details.