Suggestions for a fruit tree suitable for a large container?

I'd like to grow a fruit tree in a large container (20 gal.) - Our weather here is very humid, we get a fair amount of rain (though not consistantly), and are on the borderline of zones 8b & 9a... If we do get any freezes during winter, they're typically very short-lived (overnight), but the potential is there... Ideas??

Myers lemons will work well. Mandrine oranges (dwarf tree). There are many if you get drawf trees. Semi dwarf would work in a 20 gal. pot.

If you only want 1 fruit tree, either of the two suggestions CoreHHI has made would work well, but stick with grafted dwarf citrus as standard citrus would quickly outgrow a 20 gal pot. My dwarf citrus trees are in 30" pots and will soon need to be repotted. The Houston Chronicle has an excellent website with recommendations for the Houston area. When choosing a fruit tree, be aware that not all trees are self-fruitful and will need a pollinator.

Miniature or dwarf fruit trees work well in pots. Some semi-dwarf trees are not suitable because of their ultimate size. Any tree whose ultimate size is over 6' - 8' tall, would need frequent top and root pruning.

http://www.houstongardening.info/treercmd.htm

super dwarf cavindish grow very well in a 15 gallon or larger container...I have several and they are doing very well; they can be expected to provide a medium bunch of medium size (4") bananas

Try this link; http://www.pacificgroves.com
click the link "ultra dwarf patio tree"

I have the ultra dwarf stella cherry.

Christie http://mrschristiecolla.spaces.live.com

PS; any citrus would do too; http://www.fourwindsgrowers.com
I have 31 fruit trees in my front yard, they can be kept small!

This message was edited Jan 18, 2007 8:08 PM

I have several citrus in large pots (40 to 75 gallon) and have had good luck. I have a Meyers Lemon, ‘Centennial’ Kumquat, ‘Marumi’ Kumquat, ‘Variegated Pink’ Lemon, ‘Lakeland’ Limequat, ‘Ponkan’ Tangerine, and a Sunquat. All have fruited even though some are relatively small (2-3 feet). The Meyers Lemon and Sunquat are the largest at about 5 feet plus.

I fertilize time release capsules every three months and a granular fruit tree fertilizer in between. I water once a week in the winter and a couple times a week in summer. The Meyers Lemon, Sunquat, Limequat, Variegated Pink lemon have fruit and several are in bloom.

I also have a ‘Mallika' Mango, Barbados Cherry, lychee seedling, Mamey Sapote seedling and Black Mission Fig in pots. I have Dwarf Papayas in earthboxes that have fruited several times.

Below is a picture of my Meyers Lemon.

Dale

The Urban Harvest (Houston based farmer's market/organic gardening) website has great listings as well. I've recently purchased two variegated calamondin oranges for large pots that will join the meiwa kumquat and a limequat that have been doing really well in our recent cold snap. These are supposed to do well staying out in cold snaps. I have a Mexican lime also, but it's spending the winter inside - that's a hassle! Strange weather here - 27 last week (3 freezing nights in a row!) and yesterday and today at 80 degrees! Great looking Meyer Lemon, Dale! I'm going to try that as well!
www.urbanharvest.org

Dale, that lemon tree knocked my sandles off. How old is it. So many fruit!

How was that weather again?? LOL I have several fruit trees that are doing well here. Must it be in a pot? Citris does well in pots here... Also recently I have ordered some dwarf guava trees that are only supposed to get 3ft tall and you can keep them in a pot inside near a window or outside... Pretty much citris likes the weather here unless it freezes. I have some young fig trees that want to grow figs already, they are in the ground though, probably get too big to stay in a pot. Urban harvest has all kindsa great stuff. Are you coming to our swap??? Maybe we could start you a cutting of something, Unless you are one of those 'grafting only' sort of folks?

I have a very happy fig tree growing in a 5 gallon wash bucket. I know it is happy because it gives me figs in the kitchen where it lives.