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is this a suitable container apple tree

hi2u_ukhi2u_uk Posts: 58
in The potting shed
I'm looking to buy an apple tree that can be grown in a container as i only have about 10-20cm depth soil. would this one be suitable


does anyone now anywhere i can buy a container apple or other fruit tree if the above is not suited to stay permanently in a container?



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Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    The M27 Step-over may work in a pot.
    The M6 rootstock will be far too big for any size pot.

    We used to have a James Grieve when I lived with my parents - very nice apple, but there is a huge variety of choices these days.

    Blackmoor are good - I've bought from them before.

    Have a look here to get a better understanding of rootstocks for apples.
    https://www.orangepippintrees.co.uk/articles/fruit-tree-gardening/rootstocks-for-apple-trees
    Orange Pippin are also good - I've bought from them too - and Keepers Nursery - very good quality.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • TigerFeetTigerFeet Posts: 35
    I've been growing a James Grieve in a large container for the past four years. It did really well the previous couple of years  but this year even though it had lots of flowers and small fruits ( I had to remove a lot of them ) the apples are small in comparison to previous years. It may have something to do with the weather this year, I'm not an experienced enough gardener to know.
     I bought it from J Parker who sell them at 2yrs old. It is approx 6ft tall now which is fine for my garden. 


  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It’s the type of rootstock that governs the size of the tree, rather than the variety of apple. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • hi2u_ukhi2u_uk Posts: 58
    Pete.8 said:
    The M27 Step-over may work in a pot.
    The M6 rootstock will be far too big for any size pot.

    We used to have a James Grieve when I lived with my parents - very nice apple, but there is a huge variety of choices these days.

    Blackmoor are good - I've bought from them before.

    Have a look here to get a better understanding of rootstocks for apples.
    https://www.orangepippintrees.co.uk/articles/fruit-tree-gardening/rootstocks-for-apple-trees
    Orange Pippin are also good - I've bought from them too - and Keepers Nursery - very good quality.

    Dovefromabove said:
    It’s the type of rootstock that governs the size of the tree, rather than the variety of apple. 

    is there a root stock type that will definitely work.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    M27 produces a small tree suitable for growing in a container.  Read the link to Orange Pippin Trees  posted by @Pete.8

    Of course you’ll also need to have two different trees in the right pollination groups to ensure successful pollination so that you get fruit. 



    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • GolarneGolarne Posts: 77
    That is such a clear explanation (as is the chart), hopefully it’ll help 👍⭐️
    Pembrokeshire
  • hi2u_ukhi2u_uk Posts: 58
    Pete.8 said:
    This chart should help.
    Decide which rootstock is suitable for you  - likely M27 or M9
    Then look for a supplier who sells the variety you want (e.g. James Grieve) on the right rootstock.
    An apple tree is made up of 2 parts.
    The rootstock which is the roots and lower part of the trunk, and the top bit which is you choice of variety. That is grafted onto the rootstock.
    When you get your tree you'll see a knobbly bit about 6" from bottom of the trunk. The bit above that is your chosen variety the lower bit is the rootstock and that will control how big it gets.
    So you can have a dwarf James Grieve - or a very big James Grieve depending on your requirements.



    Apple trees are frequently grown in gardens so if you have plenty of other gardens around there will likely be apple trees here and there. In such locations pollination partners are less important if there are other apple trees nearby.

    thanks for this i dont mind the variety of apple i just want one that  will grow in a pot. The whole street has gardens as does the parallel street but i cant be 100%  sure if anyone else is growing apples
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Then you need to grow a minimum of two apple trees from the same pollination group. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Any variety you like will grow in a pot as long as it's on a dwarfing rootstock.
    So you want an M27 rootstock which is a dwarfing type then just choose a variety of apple you like.
    I planted a Scrumptious apple (a cross between Golden Delicious and Discovery) on an M27 rootstock last year on the recommendation of 2 friends that grow them. 


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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