There's a lot of misunderstanding about so-called 'dwarf' citrus. What it means is that the rootstock used will, in open ground, produce a tree somewhat smaller than other rootstocks. When grown in a pot, it is the pot that creates a dwarfing effect, much more than the rootstock. In other words a pot grown standard citrus will be just as good, and probably very little different in size.
In your case, what you need is a 'standard' tree in the old gardening sense of a tree with a longish straight stem before it branches to form a nicely shaped top. So choose a regular citrus tree with a single tall straight leader. Tie it to a stake, remove any growth that forms low down and pinch out the top when its tall enough.

If you want a taller tree you can check out Martha on Ebay. I just got a Meyer lemon from her that is about 3.5 feet tall and in very good condition. I seems like it was just grafted onto a taller rootstock. This is probably what your looking for. Here is a link to her Ebay store:
http://stores.ebay.com/Marthas-Plants-Trees-Bananas-Bamboo

MD, do you know where Martha's is located? I checked her site, but didnt see which state she's in..
Wish the Florida ban would end already..it's been, what? 2-3 yrs now?

Kristi, standard citrus do well in containers. I have 20+ citrus trees, I think, 2 dwarfs, all others, standards.
Pot size makes a difference..If you plant a standard tree, known to grow say 30' tall, (in the ground) this same tree will never grow as large because it's confined to an 'x' size pot. Yet, will produce flowers/fruit, on a much smaller scale of course.
If you have the space, try both ways..in the ground and pots. Toni

Toni, Martha is in South Carolina. What is the point in that ban? Just curious, what are they afraid of?
Matt

Kristimama,

Why exactly do you want to keep your citrus in pots? I see no advantage in this strategy.

I think many contributors to this forum live in colder climates, and keep their citrus as indoor/outdoor plants. In that context, container culture makes sense.

But here in Northern California, citrus will do best in the ground. So that's where I think you should put your plants, unless you live in a townhome with only a patio area, etc.

Ashok, you make a good and interesting point.

Part of this started because I originally planned on putting a couple dwarf citrus on my very boring concrete patio to liven it up and give it a lovely smell and lush foliage. But once I started to learn more I've gone a little crazy over them and bought a couple to put in the yard and a couple to put in pots.

But yes, they should do great in the ground, too.

Kristimama,

O.K., I see your point. Some containerized specimens might help to brighten up a "very boring" concrete patio!

Since you won't have to move them inside, you might consider putting those plants in half-barrels. Half-barrels contain a large volume of soil, and don't dry out easily -- so you wouldn't have to spend as much time watering and coddling the plants during the dry season.

Some citrus and citrus hybrids (e.g. calamondin, kumquats, etc.) are nearly everbearing, and these would make particularly nice ornamental specimen plants for a patio.

Ashok... tsk tsk. Isn't it forbidden to talk about putting in large pots. I thought one had to renounce their GW membership to recommend such heresy. Just kidding...

And seriously, now you're recommending 2 new citrus varieties... feeding my habit, eh? I'm curious about a calamondin. Do you know what it tastes like?

Kristimama,

Citrus are nearly carefree in the Bay Area, so there is no reason not to grow as many as you like. Fill up your whole yard with them!

The only real problem that most people run into is infestations of sucking insects (particularly scales), vectored by the omnipresent Argentine ants.

Other than that, you basically just plant them and let them go. Give them some acidifying fertilizer in the winter, and keep your soil healthy through mulching. That's about all you need to do.

Calamondins are small, sour citrus fruits. They are generally used for their juice, much like you would use lemons, etc. (You wouldn't eat them out-of-hand, unless you *really* enjoy tart flavors!)

Calamondins are essentially everbearing, meaning that they should carry ripe fruit just about all year long. This is a very nice characteristic. It is very handy to be able to pluck a few fruits for squeezing into water, over a piece of fish, etc., at any time!

I haven't been following this forum that closely, so I'm not sure why folks here prefer to put citrus in smaller pots. However, I would say that most participants on this board probably don't live in areas where there may be absolutely zero rain for months and months on end. Keeping potted plants going when it is extremely hot and dry can be burdensome, and using large containers like half-barrels will at least minimize this problem.

Hey Matt,
Florida has a legit problem..Canker..It's a very contageous bacterium disease that's spread via winds, (huricanes) from one plant to thousands..
Many citrus orchards were burned to the ground the last few years.
Canker infested plants are disgusting looking..ugly lesions distroy fruit/leaves..If an infested citrus is sold, (often in the beginning, the grower isn't aware citrus has canker because there's no physical evidence) brought into another orchard/hobbyiest, plants contract this disease, and need be destroyed..(burned)
The government won't allow the ban to end until they're 100% certain all signs of Canker are eradicated..any new evidence will prolong the ban..
I feel so bad for nurerymen/woman trying to run a business..Until this ban ends, citrus can't be shipped out of state.

Kristi, Calamondin are bitter and semi-seedy..Jelly/ marmalades are made from the fruit.. Toni