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multiple citrus in the same pot

20 years ago

Looking at member photos on this site I often see a single plant in a pot. How detrimental, if at all, will it be to have multiple citrus plants in the same pot as is done with other plants? Rather than have a single tree like plant have a multiple stem plant more like a shrub.

Comments (8)

  • 20 years ago

    Yes you can do it except that don't let anyone take over meaning make sure you prune the dominant one to make all of them even. Also find out which one grow the tallest and plant it at the background where the sun shines on your tree so all can get enough sunshine as per advice from Joe Real.

  • 20 years ago

    I like the idea of a fruit cockatail tree..where different variety citrus are grafted on one tree.
    But I'm sure you can make a busy tree out of different types of fruit. But you'll need a large container. It'd look great..Toni

  • 20 years ago

    The idea is great for a fruit cocktail tree but is it practical? They sell them at Wallmart store 3 times more than a regular tree but I have seen already the inconsistencies. One is getting to be dominant and very green and another is getting skinnier and one is drying out. Most of the trees I've seen are like that. Then of course, they were newly grafted trees that came out of the nurseries. You are lucky to see 2 dominant ones.

  • 20 years ago

    So are you saying that the fruit-cocktail trees you have seen are actually just a few different plants in the same container? I have been under the impression that these things are a few branches of various fruits grafted onto a single root stock trunk.

    On a different note, would it be possible to graft a branch section between two trunks of plants growing in the same container. I have seen ficus like this  two primary trunks forming a ladder from grafted branches between them  but I also know that ficus are generally tolerant of this kind of abuse.

  • 20 years ago

    Fox, yep, the tree I'm talking about, fruit cocktail, have differnt types of citrus..they also sell one at www.directgardening.com w/3 types of apples. I think it'd be a nice treat.

    Ben, here in IL, we do not get the same plants you guys up west or south do. I only wish..the most common citrus are Calamondins, and they're sold rarely. Toni

  • 20 years ago

    Fog: You are right: they are 3 different fruits of the same species like a navel, Valencia and a Midknight grafted unto a single root stock trunk. I have not seen 3 rootstocks in one container. I popped that question here a long time ago having to grow 3 different rootstocks of 3 different trees planted in a triangle sort of in a large pot and Joe real answered that question as I answered them as above.
    On your second question, I can not answer you.
    I am not an authority regarding grafting or on anything for that matter. But as for your question,that would be something to see. You are saying grafting a branch between 2 trunks of 2 rootstock? To tell you the truth I think that is possible and not hard to do but from what I read on grafting noone has done this _on citrus. But I've seen it done many things like a shape of a ladder, or shape of a church from plants planted together and while young twisted the branches and let them combine each other branches to shape like a figure of anything their mind set to. In due time these branches whose bark and wood healed as one.

    Toni: You guys are of disadvantage in terms of availability and in terms of weather and yet you guys keep pushing on growing them- Atta girl!

  • 20 years ago

    Toni, man do I ever hear you on this one. I grew up in northern Michigan (Z4) and now live 11 miles on the right side of the IN/IL state line. I like these southern winters. I have NEVER seen a citrus forsale. I have one lime started from seed about 2 years ago and now have three more seedlings starting. This is actually what prompted the question. I actually have no clue what the seedlings are. I know that there are lime, clemintine, and grapefruit seeds in that pot but I just scattered them as I ran across them in fruit and have since rotated and moved the pot a few times.

    I guess this spring I will be buying a ficus and starting to play with grafting sections between two plants. I have a thread in the "experiments" forum much like this grafting question. I have many small maples growing around my dad's yard (I hate those whirly bird seed pods) and was wondering if two trunks could be grafted together vertically as two trees grow close to each other.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    My Ponderosa lemon tree is constantly having fruit. Huge lemons, some falling off the tree. At the same time the tree is replete with flowers! We live in central Florida. I have other citrus as well as Arbequina olive trees. Too many olives on the ground. I will be cutting off the flowers. A total mess. Squirrels hanging around the trees bitting the olives. That are super terribly bitter.