Orange tree / bush

Was in B&Q earlier today looking at the plants, they had on offer orange bushes / trees? (Iâ��m afraid I forgot to make a note of the name), they were approximately 18â� x 18â� and had approx 12 small oranges on it, not bad for �£10 I thought, on the care instructions it stated that they were pretty hardy only requiring general maintenance and protection form the frost,

I really like the look of them but I am concerned that they would be difficult to look after, they would be staying in a pot on my balcony, it does get the sun in the day time and has a small roof to protect from the worst of the rain,

Can they stay healthy in a pot or do they require planting in the ground (the label didn�t say)

Is this best left to the expert or could a novice like myself look after it?

Pete

 

We've had quite a few questions about citrus growing in the past Pete.
Some seem able to get them to fruit from year to year others dont have so much luck.
They can be difficult, I have found, mainly leaf loss in winter and scale insect.
Not sure it would do well on a balcony all year, (depending on exact type), but for 9 months it would probably do reasonably well, if its not too windy and cold.

I think better grown in the ground but not many of us in the UK have that option.

I'd say have a go, and learn from your own experience.Just apply commonsence.

 

To be honest, I think it may be a Calamondin mitis orange ... just a guess by the description. They sell them here and I believe Sis has one so perhaps she could help.

I know nothing about them ... for heaven sakes, I only live in the orange orchards. :rolleyes: But then again, they ain't an orange tree in the true sense. :D

 

Sorry, how rude ... welcome to GC, pistolpete and hopefully you will get the answer you require here.

 

If its calamondin then it probably needs a bit more warmth as they usually do better as a house plant than most citrus, as I've been told.
Not grown one myself.

 

Hi Pistolpete, welcome to GC. Nice to hear of someone from my home town although I've now ecaped across the border into North Wales. We've had a citrus plant for about 5 years now in a 12" pot. I've repotted it once. Although it is still growing and produces a few 'oranges' each year, it never looks completly happy with its lot. It lives outside from spring to early winter but is brought inside the house when it gets really cold to avoid any frosts.

 

Hi Guys

Thanks for such a warm welcome

Decided in the end to leave the orange bush unfortunately i havent go the space in my flat to bring it in over the winter, I did get some golden ivy however from and i'll be training this through the ballustrade on my balcony (outdoor)

Terrier, I love north wales its such a pretty place,

 

South Wales isn`t bad either. :D

 

I agree with daitheplant ... did I just say that ????

Rethink, pistolpete ... if it is a Calamondin, they are miniatures and wonderful little balcony plants ... Google them or whatever.

 

Go for a kumquwat, if you can find one Pete.

They are supposed to be reasonably hardy, but I've never grown one myself.

 

Hi Pistolpete welcome to the forum.

I notice in this thread you mention living in a flat well if you want to get ideas and helpful advice on what to grow well in your situation then Rosa's the gal for you as she also lives in a flat and has such a stunning display on her little balcony.

I don't think Rosa will mind me showing the below picture of her beautiful little haven.Hel.xxx.

 

hi pistolpete and helen, i dont mind a bit, iff i can be of any help regarding your balcony feel free to ask.
You have to make sure you have deep enough pots for certain climbers.
The best climbers to grow on a balcony,s are clematis and they really dont need a lot of pot space.jasmine are great also, good luck.

 

There you go Rosa always a sweetie Hel.xxx.

 

thanks helen, also in my experience fruit trees do not grow on the balconies i have had no success, i also have had no success of ivy on mine also,pistolpete it may work on yours depending on the position your in.
honeysuckle grew on mine lovely but after a few years the roots got that big and didnt do to well.
As a novice i would definately go for clematis they are so easy to grow, they come back every year and they get loads of beautiful flowers.
cleamatis love to grow inbetween other climbers and iff success with the ivy a lovely combination

 

Thanks guys

Rosa you balcony looks great! thats just the type of look I'd like, quite a way to go yet mind!

my flat overlooks the back of tesco so I'm keen to get a good coverage so its a bit nicer when looking out the window

This is the only pic of the ivy I have at the moment, I took it last year so its come on a bit more since


I planted these about 18 months ago they came on slowly to begin with but then really took off this is my upper balcony the ivy i bought recently is for the lower, it does'nt get quite as much sun as the upper so hopefully it will be ok

One question I've always wondered how often i should water my ivy containers? in the summer i generally water every other day however over the winter i've hardly touched them and they seem to be ok, also i picked up some B&Q once a year plant food when is it best to put this in the containers?

I like the sound of clematis can it do well in slightly shady conditions?( I could put this on the downstairs balcony with my new ivy)

pete