Figs and others (forum)

Carol starts with ...
Hello, my husband and I have spent the last 4 months in Spain and would love to grow a fig tree. We don't have enough space at our Beachmere home to put the tree in the ground, so were wondering if we could grow it in a large pot if possible? I'd also like to have a go at growing raspberries in the cooler months? Our citrus trees culred up their toes and died on us earlier this year, so I'd appreciate some advice on the types of citrus and fruit trees that can be grown in larger containers as we suspect their demise may have something to do with the soil. Many thanks in anticipation. Carol

Time: 7th October 2010 10:21am

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About the Author Carol16
Beachmere
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BJ says...
Hi Carol,

For general info on plants in containers search the forum for 'fruit in pots' or something like that. There are lots of discussions about it...

How close to the bay are you there? Sandy soil means a bit of hard work keeping the nutrients up to your trees.

Luckily figs are easily grown in pots. Raspberries are also best in pots around here, as they will sucker quite amazingly within 6 months if you let them. I've got summer, winter and native raspberries, and between them I get fruit for most of the year.

You can get most citrus grafted on Flying Dragon rootstock, which will dwarf them and makes them fine for containers. The usual suspects are all at Bunnings. Rarer varieties through Daley's.

You can keep lots of fruit trees in containers, as long as they get a good potting mix and you are prepared to re-pot and root trim every few years.

Dwarf Black Mulberry is another good one, but I've also got Blueberries, Black Sapote, Coffee, Pommegranate, Guavas (5 types, but the best for pots are probably the Yellow Cherry and Strawberry), Finger Lime. There are lots you can keep in pots.

If you want something for the ground there, Sea Grapes are a nice plant that likes the seaside...

Time: 7th October 2010 10:50am

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About the Author Theposterformerlyknownas
Brisbane
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BJ says...
Hi Carol,
My fig tree seems very happy in a 200 litre pot. It is about 2m high now. Figs evolved growing in rocky crevises - so seem quite happy with restricted roots. Obviuosly you need to re-fresh the soil every few years and make sure they don't dry out.
For potted citrus I'd recommend a dwarf style. Either an actual dwarf or something like a kumquat (which you could prune for a cute little Tuscan look). I've a sublime in a 200 litre pot that seems quite happy.
I've a raspberry in a 100 litre pot too - it is alive ... but I'm not sure if the pot is big enough. Raspberries are hungry plants.

Time: 7th October 2010 10:55am

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About the Author BJ11
WA
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amanda says...
That's a BIG pot BJ!? Hope it's not one of those ones that crack under pressure?

Just asking cos' my Mum spent big $ on a huge pot like that for her huge Dracena (pot made in Asia) and the roots split the pot in 2 after 1 year - eek!

Time: 7th October 2010 11:43pm

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton Mid West WA
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Pauline says...
A 200L pot???? WOW.
I work in a nursery selling some pretty whopping established trees and the biggest we have is 150L, and they need to be moved with forklifts!

Carol, the problem with the citrus... you said a problem with the soil. Did you use actual soil or potting mix? Soil is a no no in pots, ALWAYS use potting mix, and a premium one for things like fruit trees. And repot every couple of years.

We have two figs where I work shoved in a corner, spoken for apparently, and they have been in 8 inch pots for at least 18 months and are perfectly happy (and fruit). So you will be absolutly fine with one in a pot (as long as you use good potting mix and make sure the watering schedule is right).

Time: 7th October 2010 11:53pm

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About the Author Pauline
Adelaide
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peter says...
ive got about 8 varieties of figs which
have been in 1000 ltr. pots for a few
years now.

Time: 8th October 2010 12:11am

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Hayden says...
Where the he'll do you get 1000l pots!!???!

Time: 8th October 2010 12:13am

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About the Author Hayden
Central coast nsw
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BJ says...
Swimming pool?

Time: 8th October 2010 12:13am

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About the Author Theposterformerlyknownas
Brisbane
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peter says...
i was making them for another use and they were left overs.
still have some left wating to be used.

Time: 8th October 2010 12:18am

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Hayden says...
What are the pots made of???

Time: 8th October 2010 12:20am

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About the Author Hayden
Central coast nsw
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peter says...
polyethelene, you can bash them with
an iron bar.

Time: 8th October 2010 12:22am

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Jason says...
1000 litres I think is past the point of being called a pot, more like a moon :)

Time: 8th October 2010 1:47am

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About the Author Jason10
Portland, Vic
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Hayden says...
Agreed

Time: 8th October 2010 2:47pm

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About the Author Hayden
Central coast nsw
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