The Best Fruit Trees for Containers, Pot Sizes, Requirements & More!

Like any fruit tree, there are special requirements when growing them in containers or pots. They have a limited amount of soil, water and nutrients. Therefore these guys need more attention & care. In this video I talk about my 6-7 years of experience growing fruit trees in containers, the pot sizes and even a little bit of up-potting at the end. Enjoy!
Zone 7A - Greater Philadelphia
Website & Blog: www.figboss.com/
Social Media:
/ rossraddi
/ rossraddi
The Fruit Talk! Podcast: anchor.fm/ross...
Support My Work!
Become a Patron: / rossraddi
Consulting Services: www.figboss.co...
Cuttings & Plants for Sale!
Our Shop: www.figbid.com...
Other important links:
The Ever-expanding Spreadsheet: goo.gl/X6ye9e
Growing Fruit Trees Community: growingfruit.org/
Growing Fig Trees Community: www.ourfigs.com/
2018 Fig Variety Album: photos.app.goo...
2019 Fig Variety Album: photos.app.goo...

[@RossRaddi]

I'm Ross, the "Fig Boss." A KZbinr educating the world on the wonderful passion of growing fig trees. Apply my experiences to your own fig journey to grow the best tasting food possible. Check out my blog: figboss.com

[@jonassx100]

you are absolutely right . what i found from my experience is root temps are more important then air temps . We have very hot summer with scorching heat waves temps 47 C /116 F and black pots really bake all the roots result in stunted growth . What i do , i paint them white . What i notice is i have few Key lime trees , one which is in 18*18 inch hdpe grow bag shows no sign of stress and the one in plastic pot grey color gets cooked (sun burnt leaves as well as fruits ) . I checked the soil temp of both of them and their was big difference .Grow bag arounf 28-30 C and plastic one around 37-39 C,. Same with my habaneroes orange , one in clay pot and loaded with fruits while in plastic pot dropping flowers from last 2 months

[@vnxettitw4879]

Oh wow you did the homework for us!! Good to know about temp difference between grow bag & plastic

[@johns311]

Thanks for sharing Ross! Another great video. Just sharing a different approach, how I setup my containers now. I have shifted from straight potting type soils to 70% garden soil (literally from my backyard yard) and 30% citrus/cactus mix and have noticed my young trees do substantially better. I have heavy clay soil high in trace elements that has been inoculated with Myko so I don’t have to do much amendment except for routine fertilization. Plus, when i transplant into the ground, the tree is basically already acclimated to my soils ph. I’ve found they are more vigorous and produce better. Happy gardening everyone!

[@RossRaddi]

I like that, John.

[@nmnate]

I agree a lot about vigor. Most of my potted trees are semi dwarf. If you have space, planting in the ground is definitely easier. I find potted evergreen trees to be a massive pain in the butt, but if you have easy winter sun... citrus are great trees as long as you know how to treat them. My trees are between 3 gallon and 15 gallon. 15 starts to get pretty heavy to drag around. I really like 7 gallon pots, but I haven't tried 10 gallon yet. I have blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, apriums, pluerries, figs, bush cherries, persimmons, citrus and feijoa. Had haskaps, poms, and jujubes in the past but those do way better in the ground here.

[@jonassx100]

diameter of 15 gallon pot in inches ..

[@Whale_Chum]

I’ve grown bananas in pots. The mother will always die after fruiting whether or not in ground. Pups will grow quickly into new mothers vegetatively. So it’s not the fault of the container growing, it’s just what bananas do. I had more than 100 bananas growing in Las Vegas, the desert climate demanded a drip irrigation system but they can be grown in containers.

[@howtogrowdragonfruitplant7849]

Nice! Have you tried dragon fruit in containers?

[@jessicag630]

I have seen someone growing bananas in planter bags on someone's channel. However, the yield seems to be very small. What size of container do you use and how often do you have to add fertilizer to the soil?

[@bridgetbean79]

Very helpful! I’m in Lancaster and moving in a few weeks to a home with a larger yard space. Doing research on what I can easily grow in a small orchard! Hadn’t realized so many yummy fruits could easily grow in containers (always figured ground)! Now I have to decide what to try without wasting tons of money!

[@SoCalKevin]

Lots of great information in this vid! Explanation pot sizes vs weight/portability vs watering/fertilization was excellent. I settled on 25 gallon smart pots a few years ago because that’s pretty much the max I can move with a dolly without too much effort. And that’s with using light mixes like potting soil and waiting for it to dry out before moving. You’re right on with 15gal being what’s moveable for the average person. That’s the best option for portability.

[@maxsmith5984]

Have you ever tried tree boxes of 3' or more? One can move 15 gallon pots and bigger with a dolly. I am planning on growing a cherry tree in a pot.

[@kicknadeadcat]

Here is my mix for all my potted plants. Half Miracle gro organic potting mix, half peat, then a shovel or two of rich soil from under leaves from old pine trees plus some leaf compost. Add mycorrhiza that I propagate, lactobacillus, and aerated worm compost tea. Top it with fresh wood chips. That soil is teaming with life. Fertilize as needed.

[@Micscience]

The thing is my peach tree was gonna go into the ground but the leaves are curling from to much sun so container is the next step to place it in a safer spot.

[@msprettyeve]

Hi Ross, I just subscribed 🙂. I luve in a very sunny country but my backyard is covered with talk fruiting trees so I decided to grow fruit plants on my rooftop. I have a few fig plants ,just starting out and several citruses, cherry acerola and veggies too💚

[@annettesereno9617]

I have a dwarf lemon tree I put in worm castings and then i brought it into the house. it bloomed great but i did not hand pollinate so no fruit took it out side which I guess caused shock seems ok I am going just leave it out side i live az get a lot of sun I like the grow bags because I found out you cant over water them It in a 10 gal bag I am glad you said that was ok another you tube person said a 25 gal. I just got a lime tree dwarf and so I wanted to make sure that size was ok. How often do I need to feed? and fertilize ? I did get something to make soil more acid. just dont know how often to put that in . Thanks

[@geriannroth449]

Ross good vid but regarding the moving of larger containers why not use a tree dolly with pneumatic tires you can move mountains with them

[@entimger_heggie]

Very concise and lots of good information for a beginner like me. A lot of other channels just ramble on about nothing and it seems like they never cover anything useful.

[@devbachu7072]

I live intropical country the Caribbean area bro rainy seasonnow

[@MCSkyMage]

Amazing videos! My only option is growing in containers (I will be using 5 gallon grow bags) and your videos are just amazing. This will be my first try so I am trying to learn as much as I can. I am planning on using regular potting soil mixed with perlite and bark for drainage, worm castings as nutrients, an organic starting mix to help newly planted trees, and a bokashi starter. If you could tell me your thoughts on if you think this would work or not that would be awesome!

[@KarlB791]

I have very heavy red clay. Takes over 2days for a hole to drain water. I am trying an Asian pear in a 20 gal fabric container. When I got it it was already severely root bound. I cut the small roots up a bit and planted it. I hope it lives and does not continue to spiral the roots and die. Any suggestions? What dobyou mean root prune?

[@siov4279]

So now I just bought 4 cubic feet of happy frog potting mix and THE COW PEAT AND COW MANURE BLEND. I got bare root trees that are about 5 feet tall and have 2 black 2 foot by 15 and a half inch smart pots/ air pots. And was hoping that I could possibly start them in the pots so to work on the soil composition of the holes they will live in forever? I really was hoping since I paid about 115 dollars for these 2 trees they would friend fruit much faster than the arbor day ones my girlfriend bought going on 4 years back...?? Thanks for hearing me out!

[@ShaneyElderberry]

I agree with your observations. Subtropical plants should be planted in a large greenhouse or conservatory.

[@CampingforCool41]

Growing stuff like figs in the ground isn’t an option for me in my climate but I’m obsessed with the idea of growing them. I have an unheated garage, I wonder if it would be adequate to protect a potted “hardy” fig enough from -20 Fahrenheit winter temps

[@kathyjung9502]

I wish you are my neighbor and friend, enjoy your garden very much, thank you.

[@andyb619]

So glad I have found a channel like this

[@RossRaddi]

Welcome!

[@ninjaraph]

Great video! Exactly what i needed

[@ChrisSwain2020]

I have a brown Turkey fig in a half wine barrel. 2 questions: 1) how do you root prune in that size container? 2) how do you know when to root prune?

[@ShaneyElderberry]

It's the same routine as a bonsai root pruning, on a larger scale. Keep the young, thread-like roots and use pruning shears or saws for the large roots. Cut them away by 1/3 to 2/3 total root mass, depending on the species. Pruning times will depend on the genus or species. This Nigel Saunders video on the pruning of a lemon bonsai will be applicable to nearly all the genera mentioned in Ross Raddi's video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/robJiXepfNN1e5o

[@RossRaddi]

It's not easy, Chris. The bigger it is, the more difficult. You know when your tree is not performing well.

[@ChrisSwain2020]

@@RossRaddi So I'm guessing I can maybe dig around the outer edge of the pot and prune the roots without having to pull the whole rootball out?

[@holdenbeck8636]

I have a dwarf cavendish in the beginning of its second full season that started fruiting 3 weeks ago. It is in 25 gal pot. Like you said Ross, lots of money on fertilizer over the summers. Also will not fit in typical 8' ceiling house over winter. I used a 3-1 ratio of SC- compost, but would do more compost if I could do over.

[@RossRaddi]

Have you looking into a shorter banana with great flavor?

[@holdenbeck8636]

@@RossRaddi I have dwarf red, dwarf Orinoco,and grand Nain as well. The dwarf cavendish is the earliest to fruit for me so far and smaller than everything but the red. I've heard the super small bananas don't give great taste.

[@holdenbeck8636]

I have not. After this year I am probably going to get rid of all my bananas. They require so much fertilizer it's not worth it to me. It was fun to do once though.

[@D71219ONE]

@@holdenbeck8636 Yeah, bananas in the ground need almost nothing except water and maybe a little nitrogen.

[@Fattiapples]

Granular fertilizer monthly? What about liquid feed in addition to granular?

[@richardmang2558]

@ 2:25 you mention a fast and large growing mulberry. Please, what is the variety? I am looking for a large fruiting mulberry tree variety.

[@siov4279]

I jumped the gun buying a few trees. I bought from Stark Brothers, a Bartlett pear tree and a Braeburn apple dwarf supreme. I really don't know about the species specific requirements etc or anything. But my fear was brought on when I watched my first KZbin! The gentleman said specifically!!(. Make sure to have a good place with healthy like ve soil!!). And. All We have is a horrible sandy loam that is horribly dry and has no life at all really? I have Wakefield biochar, and several amendments I have been introducing to the soil around a few figs cherry and apple trees we currently have. Although the growth has been slow until last year when our compost was FINALLY READY! NOW ADDING THAT TO THE Surface / RAKING IT IN ... THEY HAVE BEGUN LOOKING MUCH BETTER! Though here in Schenectady NY/ upstate. Its been really crazy weather wise lately! But I just wish to have fruit trees so we all can eat healthier easier! And even maybe have extra to sell at a corner stand?

[@siov4279]

2 person lift all day for these big pots!! Agree 💯

[@Gargamel19]

what if instead big pots grew trees in big planters?? I just bought my first house and its mostly concrete around the outside of the house and my backyard is too. Its basically just a large sort of glorified "patio" no real areas where you can plant trees like that. large planters where it would have those all to themselves would be about the biggest i could go......do you think that would work?? I currently have a cherry, a plucot, and a apple tree i bought just recently and had no idea that it would be that much more work.

[@notabrickinthewall]

ok, what is the NPK of the Osmocote you use there?I just read somewhere...19-6-12, then went on amazon and they sell one thats a 14-14-14. I picked up a bag of organic 4-4-4 earlier today. Sounds like it will work as its also balanced like osmocote. Might add in some alfalfa meal too.

[@1998foe199]

You'll have to root what? Root fern?

[@stellarodriguez8813]

I live in Puerto Rico and my Christmas Wish is to grow blueberries in a pot down here. Also I would like to grow apple tree in a pot if it only reaches 8 feet tall. Thank you🙂

[@stephent5411]

I have several different sweet cherry trees That I bought bare root this year in 5 gallon pots. They are roughly 4 feet tall but they are one straight stalk with leaves growing on it. How do I get them to shoot branches out???

[@kendrickkayakfishing7080]

did you get it figured out? maybe topping it. or maybe its meant to be that way

[@MatthewSherriff85]

I have 2 dwarf mulberry trees in 10 gallon grow bags. I am trying to grow a banana in a 30 gallon grow bag. I am putting in an in the ground style worm tower to help provide it a continuous supply of nutrients, i am also considering companion planting beans or peas for the nitrogen fixing properties, do you have any experience with these methods? Oh also planning to chop and drop mulch them all, all in mostly grow bags, apples, guavas, citrus and a few random things but i have only just started collecting

[@heyitssean36]

Hey Ross! Great video from the Fig Boss! I was curious to know if you have experience growing raspberries or blackberries in pots? My fear is that if I put them in the ground, they will invade other areas of the yard, or worse, spread to the neighbors. I know they need a lot of root space, so I was looking at 30-gallon root pouches, but is this something you've already attempted?

[@RossRaddi]

I have. Don't let them dry out and feed well. Your fears are not warranted if you maintain them the way I do. I have a video coming out soon, but you can also see past videos on my canes.

[@heyitssean36]

@@RossRaddi thanks! I'll check those out and look forward to the upcoming video.

[@pauhy5601]

Ross,didn't know that Bucky like to garden& the light line hat clash with past background,Steve would not expect that from his BFF,haha?.

[@RossRaddi]

Well.. I retired. Got nothing else to do.

[@tinyrealhuman5644]

As much as i would love to grow my trees in the ground, but im in an apartment... I am attempting to care for a dwarf cherry tree as well as pomegranate

[@lofenoialof5320]

I have some questions . 1 ) When planting figs in ground , I would like their roots to not become too invasive as it would be about 7-10 feet from a house. When planting digs near a house , would pruning them to a smaller size ( 7-10 feet tall ) help to control root vigor or do roots expand independently from the top size? 2 ) are persimmon roots invasive? I just planted one about 5-7 feet from the house . 3 ) Just to clarify , “Soil Comditioners “ are what you recommend for potted fruit trees , not “ Potting Soil ? I tried planting some bananas in pots with 100% compost from the nursery and the trees turned pale and the soil felt like it got compacted and the roots couldn’t breathe , so I re potted them in a more breathable mix and they seem happier . Putting them in the ground , as you recommend , is the next step . I first have to prep the soil . Thank you so much !

[@snowhero9]

seems you could make an underground "wall" barrier of some sort (weedblock?") that would cause roots to dive well below your home. happy shoveling lol

[@lofenoialof5320]

snow hero that’s a great idea . Also I’ve been watering the fig on the side opposite the house 🏡

[@username00009]

I visited a patio home with trees planted in the narrow side yard, and the owner said she did daily light watering instead of the standard deep watering that encourages stronger roots.

[@kivdronekim7916]

Awesome video Ross!! Thanks for sharing

[@adventurehippie0514]

I'm interested in lemons peaches and asian pears in pots I'm zone 8a

[@edaeda1722]

I have a septic I don’t want to risk it . I have two fruit trees planted in the ground , can I move them to a container ?

[@applehair995]

I use half a drum as pot for my trees. It cant really be moved and stays on a permanent spot I potted for the sake of saving space, hoping if it doesnt fruit, i can still benefit from other parts of the tree that are medicine

[@plantsim]

Immediately subscribed when you said to grow in the ground.

[@DaBuDaSak]

Do you wait until the top inch or 2 of soil is dry before watering?

[@carmenbugeja8722]

I want to grow a metre high plant, what size pot? Thanks for advice.

[@thatdude7325]

how difficult would it be to grow a tropical fruit like Starfruit inside of a pot while living in a place like Las Vegas??

[@irtazatahir8960]

Thanks for the video ross. You mentioned pawpaws in containers? How effective was that? Were you able to get them to fruit?

[@RossRaddi]

I haven't grown them in pots myself. However, it's quite common. People have had good success.

[@irtazatahir8960]

@@RossRaddi thanks

[@Swayizm]

Why isn't the gerardi dwarf good for container?

[@anitamanda7711]

Thank you Ross

[@mjones9936]

I have to grow trees in pots because of invasive roots getting into pipes.

[@MrsLiz]

Good info and appreciate the honest opinions.

[@aonirnolaloth]

I have a 35gallon growbag on my balcony still not sure what to put in it...

[@kendrickkayakfishing7080]

oh you know...

[@aonirnolaloth]

@@kendrickkayakfishing7080 it now has a fig tree...

[@kendrickkayakfishing7080]

@@aonirnolaloth see you knew all along

[@devbachu7072]

I have some grafted fruits trees to grow in it's itd better for me no space lots of sun food an water an mulch here

[@muskepticsometimes9133]

great video. I live in super hot place (AZ) but in winter can frost. Yeah I get it bigger is better up to the point too heavy. I have a couple spots outside of windows where I need trees 7-8 fee tall to shield from neighbors. Can't plant a tree there as narrow strip and leads to AC units.

[@SuperWhatapain]

This is great! Thank you!

[@frostylonewolf1700]

i'm going for a 15 gallon for my citrus when i get a citrus tree

[@ZoomZoomBoom24]

Ok, ok. You had me at, "Okay everybody this is Ross Raddi." Just casually walking over to the tree while introducing yourself had me intrigued and eager to learn what you had to say. Don't ask me to grow them in the grown. My kids have vanished me from the garden as I've killed fifteen citrus trees and most definitely earned the nickname ... "Black Thumb Plant Killer!' in our household. So...I'm here to learn to be a better gardener. Sad when your fifteen and seventeen year olds are better at growing plants than yourself... 😢😁😁😂😂

[@RossRaddi]

You'll get the hang of it! Just keep learning from your mistakes. You have to make them first to learn.

[@thetruth392]

Can I plant lechi in New York zone 7 ? Also citrus

[@babichevi7950]

Pawpaws? I thought they had a tap root.

[@howtogrowdragonfruitplant7849]

Dragon fruit grow well in containers.

[@johnzeiger910]

Ha-How brother

[@lani_lucia]

Header is "fruit trees for containers" ....1.37 mins later...."i would grow it in the ground." next video.

[@jasonl3185]

I don't know about you all the pot is tripping me out it looks almost like it's a sticker or draw on😂🎉

[@SpaceLifeSelfSufficiency]

😀👍😀👍😀👍 like 18 from us bro

[@lifeofcars3096]

Winter soldier

[@slipknot95maggot]

Pineapple and Passion Vine. A lot of my tropicals are indeed varying degrees of "labors of love" and it's too early for me to say where Dragon Fruit falls on that curve as it's off to a promising start but considerations loom; but Pineapple and Passion Vine are def easy. Passion Vine has one consideration but that's really it and then it's nothing. Propagation is too easy and it fruits in no time. And pineapples may be the closest thing tropical fruits have to a "cast-iron plant." It's just slow.... But you basically do nothing. Also pretty sure nothing around here knows to care to bother it; I think one leaf of one Pineapple plant got one hole from insect damage once. I have *certainly* not tried everything but so far those two stand above the rest in terms of ease, with the possible inclusion of Dragon Fruit depending on how late stage looks (I'd guess it'll settle at third place)

[@BRIANLIMBARO]

❤hi

[@carolynstone1221]

Looking for how to grow potted trees, and all the info is plant it in the ground 🙄

[@roccoconte2960]

Dont buck the odds too much , exotic fruit trees in containers is not worth it , Stick with the figs if you can do well with figs consider your self lucky.

[@transam351]

Man, you look and act just like Eric Foreman from That 70s show lol

[@Hulkman0101]

I can lift 20 gal bags easy

[@ItsBrendo]

Of course you can Hulk

[@Hulkman0101]

@@ItsBrendo loool

[@rachelsmiths7502]

Are you kidding? Every banana tree dies after fruiting...

[@audiophilesallowed6479]

YIKES. I couldn’t recommend this video to anyone interested in planting fruit trees in a pot. What a complete turn off.

[@username00009]

What WOULD you recommend?