Strawberries, blueberries, apple trees, pear trees can successfully bear fruit on our balconies and terraces. You just have to choose low-growing and small-sized varieties, such as apple trees: 'Delegrina' and 'Delbarestivale', pear trees: 'Garden Pearl' and 'Garden Red', peaches: 'Honey Gold' and 'Honey Red', apricots 'Aprigold' or nectarines 'Rubis'.
Virtually any variety of strawberries growing in the field will also be suitable for planting in containers.Climbing varieties are especially recommended for this type of cultivation.
Among wild strawberries, varieties such as 'Rugia' or 'Baron Solemacher' are worth recommending.American blueberry is not a small shrub, but due to its shallow and poorly developed root system it is perfect for containers. This shrub likes acidic and well-drained soil.We can easily provide such conditions by filling the pots with high peat, available in most garden shops.Frequent watering is very important.
Apple trees are also suitable for planting in containers, but only those grafted on super-dwarf rootstocks (P.22 or M.27).Trees enhanced with them will grow slowly and even after many years will not exceed 1.5-2 m.When choosing a rootstock, we decide ourselves how big we want the tree to be - the more dwarf the rootstock, the weaker it grows.
Pear trees also perform well in container cultivation. Their advantage is that they create symmetrical crowns that can be formed or run flat against the wall.We choose only varieties refined on quince, thanks to which the trees will not grow well. And that's what it's all about.
Wintering potted trees
Trees and shrubs that do not grow in the ground are more susceptible to root damage during frost.Therefore, at the beginning of winter, cover the pots to protect the root ball against low temperatures. cardboard, agrotextile, straw mats, polystyrene. Fill the free space between the cover and the pot with sawdust or crumpled newspapers.
Plants are also secured in the above-ground part, e.g. by wrapping them with agrotextile. Some plants, such as peaches, apricots and nectarines, and citrus, are better to spend the winter in cool places, such as a garage or a cool staircase.Trees kept indoors should be moderately watered from time to time.
Juicy fruit from crates, pots, hanging baskets
1. Actinidia, popularly known as minikivia, produces juicy fruit resembling a little gooseberry, a little kiwi. The 'Issai' variety is self-pollinating, it can withstand frosts down to about -25 ° C. It bears fruit in mid-October.
2. Raspberry 'Ruby Beauty' is the world's first compact container variety. The bush grows slowly, reaching 0.5 to 1 m. The fruits ripen in August and September. The containers are hidden in cold rooms during the winter.
3. Blackberry thornless 'Black Cascade' bears fruit on annuals. The shrub forms short, thornless, sagging or drooping shoots.
4. Blueberry 'Bluegold' bears fruit abundantly, large, tasty fruits ripen in the second half of August. Other recommended varieties for pots are 'Toro' and 'Bluecrop'.
5. Growing citrus is a treat for home conservatory owners.
Care of terraced fruiting trees and shrubs
Cutting small trees
For plants growing in containers, the three-mesh cut is especially useful. It is easy to do, but regularity is extremely important. This cutting consists in shortening the sprigs that sprout after the third eyelet, counting from the root of the shoot.
We make them practically throughout the growing season, pinching or shortening the emerging shoots with a pruner.This causes practically only fruiting shoots to grow in the crown. They are the most valuable because it is on them that the fruit is formed. This kind of pruning strongly restricts the growth of the branch, and thus the growth of the whole tree.
Which container should I choose?
We buy trees and shrubs for growing in containers in pots in which they were grown in the nursery.They can be transplanted into nicer pots. Then they must be slightly wider and deeper, and provided with drainage holes. Before planting, pour a layer of drainage (expanded clay) on the bottom.Pots can be made of various materials: clay, ceramic and wooden.We can also use old galvanized buckets. The choice of pots depends on the nature of the garden.
Substrate quality and supply
When cultivating trees and shrubs in containers, remember how important it is to choose the right substrate. Make sure that the water from the pot is drained.Before planting, check the pH of the soil, and fertilize them with small doses of multi-component fertilizers with a prolonged period of action during plant growth.Mulching the top layer of the substrate with coniferous bark will also be beneficial.
Sometimes we also need to spray against diseases or pests, so we should be able to move or isolate a given plant from the rest.For this purpose, special trolleys for pots are extremely useful, facilitating the transport of heavy plants.
