- Big differences in the growth of different columnar fruit varieties
- Yield may also depend on pollination
- Secure against storm and cold
In the variety descriptions of the plant trade, columnar fruit is often advertised with the dream of growing fruit on your own balcony. However, a few things should be considered if the balcony really is to become a miniature orchard.
Citrus fruits can also be grown on the balcony
Big differences in the growth of different columnar fruit varieties
Basically, it is first of all the case that columnar fruit gets its tightly upright growth form either through the genetic predisposition of the respective columnar fruit variety or through targeted topiary measures. The differences can be enormous: while some fruit trees can actually easily be limited to a height of around one meter, others with appropriate care can reach heights of 5 meters or more within a few years. It is therefore better to find out in advance about the varieties on offer and their suitability for cultivation in pots on the balcony.
Yield may also depend on pollination
On a balcony on a very high floor in an urban location, difficulties can sometimes also arise with pollination. After all, insects like a beekeeper's bees are needed to allow the blossoms on a fruit tree to produce fruit in the first place. It can therefore make sense to equip the balcony with various flowering plants that attract insects looking for nectar. Certain types of fruit sometimes require several specimens of a variety, as this is the only way for effective pollination to take place.
Secure against storm and cold
On a balcony, very tall plants are sometimes exposed to extreme gusts of wind. However, you can secure your columnar fruit on the balcony in various ways:
- with the largest possible planters
- with heavy stones in the bottom layer of the substrate in the pot
- by binding
The slimmer the shape of columnar fruit is brought up by the cut, the smaller the possible attack surface for gusts of wind.
tips
When growing on the balcony, columnar fruit not only needs enough sun and water, but also a sufficiently large plant pot. In exposed locations, the pots should be wrapped in some bubble wrap or fleece to protect against frost in winter.