Dwarf fruit trees in the garden have long been more than just a trend. They have established themselves as a refined alternative to conventional fruit trees. You don't have to be surprised, after all, the tiny ones have a very decisive advantage - they take up very little space. At the same time, they bear fruit much faster than their big brothers. The fruits themselves do not or hardly differ. And when it comes to maintenance, nothing more is necessary than with conventional fruit trees. A dwarf fruit tree is a very clever alternative.
What exactly is a dwarf fruit tree?
First of all, a dwarf fruit tree is a fruit tree like any other. The fruits it bears are practically no different from the fruits of other trees. The tree growth itself is also essentially the same. The only real difference is the size of the growth. A dwarf fruit tree reaches a maximum height of 1.50 meters. As a rule, most dwarf fruit trees range in size from one to four feet. The reason for this is a genetic change in the genome. In this context, one could also speak of a genetic defect that breeders take advantage of. This short stature naturally means that the harvest volume is significantly lower. However, nothing has changed in terms of the quality of the fruit or the taste. By the way, dwarf fruit trees can also be cultivated in a sufficiently large planter without any problems.
sorts
Theoretically, every conventional fruit tree can also be made into a dwarf fruit tree through breeding and genetic modification
do. In practice, however, the variety selection is relatively limited. The trade usually only offers common varieties. The most popular and therefore the most widespread are:- Dwarf apple Alkmene Linus
- Dwarf apple Delgrina
- Dwarf pear Helenchen
- Dwarf pear Luisa
- Dwarf cherry Regina
- Dwarf cherry Stella Compact
- Dwarf sour cherry Morellini
- Dwarf Peach Bonanza
- Dwarf plum Imperial
In addition, other varieties can of course be found at regional suppliers. In the meantime, there is also an acceptable variety of varieties in the dwarf fruit tree sector.
Location
Fruit trees generally love a location that is as sunny as possible. Of course, this also applies to dwarf fruit trees. Shadows or penumbra, on the other hand, are not their thing. Last but not least, the sun and warmth play a major role in the development of the fruits of the tree. At least indirectly, they also influence the respective sweetness and taste intensity. A sunny location in the garden is therefore a must - regardless of whether you plant the tree directly in the ground or cultivate it in a tub. If the chosen location is also reasonably protected, nothing stands in the way of prosperous growth.
Soil or Substrate
A soil containing humus and clay is ideal for a dwarf fruit tree. Before planting, the soil should be
be thoroughly mixed with compost once. Fruit trees need a lot of nutrients for the development of the fruit, which they get from the ground. The more substantial the soil is, the better it is for the tree. You should keep this in mind if you want to plant the dwarf fruit tree in a planter. A mixture of gravel, humus, compost and clay is ideal for this. The task of the gravel is to divert the water. Dwarf fruit trees need a lot of water and have to be watered regularly in the bucket, but they don't like waterlogging at all.Cultivation in a planter
As already mentioned several times, dwarf fruit trees are perfect for cultivation in the tub. The big advantage is obvious: the tree can easily be moved within the garden if necessary or find space on the terrace. However, it has to be in the open air. The general requirements for the location always apply. Note: A dwarf fruit tree is not a houseplant! When growing in a bucket, please note the following:
- Sufficiently large planter, capacity of at least 30 liters
- very nutrient-rich substrate
- Pebble insert for better water drainage
- Do not kink or damage roots when planting
- fertilize regularly from spring to August
- Repot every three to five years
Basically, it can be said that the larger the planter in which it grows, the better the dwarf fruit tree will develop. So here it is worthwhile not to skimp on size.
Tip: When buying the planter, make sure that the bottom has an opening so that excess water can drain off.
care
A dwarf fruit tree that has been planted directly into the ground in the garden does not require any more care than a conventional fruit tree. It looks a little different with little trees that grow in the tub. Regular fertilization is necessary here to ensure an adequate supply of nutrients. Regular watering is also required. If the dwarf fruit tree is on a terrace, you should also be aware that there is usually a different microclimate here than in the garden. Usually it will be warmer and drier there. Hence comes
the water supply is of particular importance. Since dwarf fruit trees can be quite sensitive to night frost, it is advisable to cover the base of the tree well with the branches of a conifer when overwintering.cut
Like all other fruit trees, dwarf fruit trees must also be cut if they are to grow as lush as possible over the long term. It is always cut before budding, i.e. up to August at the latest. The general rules for tree pruning apply. In particular, one should note the following:
- Cut off branches that grow crosswise, parallel or not growing outwards
- always cut directly above a bud
- avoid or Seal with a commercially available sealant
- cut regularly throughout the season
In general, it can be said that the dwarf fruit tree has to be cut more often than its big brothers. The regular correct cut ensures a neat, also optically impressive growth. However, the pruning should not have a negative impact on the yield. From branches the fruit buds resp. You basically let your fingers bear fruit.
Tip: Those who value a lush treetop with thick branches should not cut them for a long period of time.
harvest
The dwarf fruit tree is harvested in summer or winter, depending on the type and variety. Autumn. The decisive factor is always the degree of ripeness of the fruit. By the way, dwarf fruit trees can often be harvested for the first time in the first year after planting. The yield will be limited, but at least it is much faster than with the large relatives. When harvesting, it is of course important to ensure that the fruits are removed as carefully as possible and without damaging the branches.
Flexible with dwarf fruit trees
Dwarf fruit trees can be cultivated extremely flexibly. Their small size makes it easy to harvest delicious fruit even in the smallest garden or on a mini terrace. Even the cultivation on the balcony in the city is basically feasible if there is enough sun there. So it's no wonder that the dwarf fruit tree is right on trend.