Fruit trees can be a fun addition to your home, whether you are adding them to your garden outside or growing them in containers. Having a gorgeous citrus tree full of fruit on your patio or a cute blueberry bush in your garden full of colorful berries is really rewarding. However, many people forget to consider amount of time it takes for a young plant to produce fruit.
Your fruit tree’s main responsibility the first year or two is to grow new roots and extend its existing roots to the surrounding soil, mainly to anchor it in place so it can withstand high winds and things bumping into it. And fruit tree branches get very heavy with fruit once they’re in full production. If you need to stake your tree, do it for a short period of time, not more than one growing season.
In truth, you must wait patiently. Most fruit trees will not fruit until they mature, which usually takes about three years. Fortunately, many of the trees we sell have grafted rootstock that decreases this time somewhat. But the key is patience and to take proper care of your tree while you wait.
In order of importance, these are the nutrients required by fruit trees in the highest quantity; potassium (K), nitrogen (N,) calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P). Other essential nutrients (micro-nutrients) are usually available in adequate quantities when the soil pH is in the optimal range. There is no benefit to applying more fertilizer than plants require. In fact, over application of nutrients may be harmful to plant growth and the environment.
Prune in early winter after the tree has gone dormant to encourage more fruit production next season.
