Fruit trees in containers?

[anemone]

I've bought two new fruit trees - a  cherry and a peach.  Will they grow and fruit in containers? If so how big would the containers need to be? I have a couple that are 35cms wide - will they be okay?

[anemone]

[Georgie]

I think this has been discussed on here before so it might be worth using the search facility.  Although I've not tried growing fruit trees in containers, my view is that you will need something at least the size of a half barrel for them to thrive.

G x

[PurpleHeather]

Some trees are intended for growing in containers and you get the instructions for planting them with the tree.

You do get fruit from these. Not a lot but enough to say you grew a few apples yourself. More a novelty item than a food provider.

If you have not bought a tree which says it can be grown in a container then you will not have success with trying to.

[Tee Gee]

This bit of info might help; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Containers-Fruit%20trees/Containers-Fruit%20trees.htm

[anemone]

Thank you. I was hoping to keep them in the garden but it's unlikely they are dwarf ones as they are from aldi. I've been looking online at the price of dwarf ones and yikes !  The varieties are - red haven peach and a helderfingen cherry.

I can find space for them on the plot but won't be able to get an area ready for a week or two. Am I better putting them in containers until then or leaving them as they are? They are starting to show signs of life but are just as they came from the store at the moment.

[saddad]

I'd pot them up for a while... even if it takes longer to clear the area you are OK you might have trouble with the peach if Leaf curl is common in your area. My neighbour has one of the patio peach plants in a tub in her greenhouse which fruits well @20-30 per year and being inside misses the curl...  :)

[PurpleHeather]

Yup agree,

My new Cherry tree has gone in a large pot in the greenhouse, it will stay there for a bit too, the warmth has made it blossom already.

I will do what I did with the peach last year take it out of the greenhouse as soon as the fear of frost has gone. (It is in huge tub, as big as the old dustbins) then next January plant the whole tree and soil. In a hole big enough to bury a small pony.

The peach is looking fine and has nearly doubled in size.

[debster]

i posted the original post and have just spent the weekend scouring nurseries for said fruit trees, there were very few and i couldnt find any cherry ones at all. Hubby bought me a lovely pear tree a dwarf variety and i already have an apple, saw some lovely peach and nectarine ones which are next on the list, prices vary from £25.99 to £49.99 for the same trees i only paid the lower amount. gonna look for a cherry one now too, then ill have 4 fruit trees on my patio dont have an allotment.
Pot size does say minimum of 30cm and trees grow to max 5ft high in 10 years which would definatly need a larger pot then that