Even if you have limited space, you can still enjoy fresh fruit. Although not all fruit trees thrive in containers for long periods, you can grow any fruit tree in a container for a few years and then transplant it. You can also choose a dwarf variety, which is well-suited to living in a container. — Some of the most popular dwarf citrus trees to grow in containers are:
-- Meyer lemon: First imported from China in 1908, it is believed to be a cross between a lemon and a mandarin. The fruit has a very sweet flavor and is less acidic than a true lemon.
-- Calamondin: Prized for its attractive shape and foliage, it produces fragrant flowers nearly year-round. It is grown primarily for aesthetics and less for actual, edible fruit.
-- Dwarf Kaffa lime tree: The rind of the fruit and the double-lobed, aromatic leaves are often used in cooking.
Master gardener Chris Dawson prefers mail-order bare-root trees. Inspect the tree when it arrives to be sure the packing material is still moist and the roots are in good shape. As with any bare-root tree, make sure the roots never dry out before planting. To plant:
-- Use any kind of container as long as it has drainage holes and is an adequate size for the tree -- 10 to 16 inches in diameter.
-- Fill the container with a light, well-drained potting mixture. Make a small mound in the center of pot and arrange the roots over the mound. Cover the roots with soil and tamp in lightly.
-- Leave the stake in place to help the tree remain sturdy while the roots become established.
-- Place in full sun, southern exposure.
-- Water to keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
-- Fertilize with a formula high in nitrogen with trace minerals.
(For thousands of other ideas visit http://www.hgtv.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)
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