I hope this article will inspire you to incorporate fruit trees into your garden landscape. All it takes is a bit of research on your part in order to identify the best fruit trees and varieties for your climatic region. This, together with the correct care and a little cooperation with mother-nature will ensure success, and when you take that first bite you will remember how fruit used to taste when you were a child - the way sun-ripened fruit really should taste – incredibly sweet and juicy! And you don’t need an entire orchard to grow your own fruit, if space is limited, spoil yourself with just few of your favourite varieties.
Description & Interesting Facts:
Years ago, in countries like the USA, Europe and Australia, some innovative fruit growers developed methods to induce a single fruit tree rootstock to bear several different types of fruits, by using multiple grafts. Trees created by this technique were marketed as “Fruit Salad Trees” and they created quite a stir, enabling gardeners with small spaces to grow a variety of fruits in a single corner of the garden, trained as espalier, or planted in pots.
The trick to creating a multiple fruit-bearing tree is to graft several compatible varieties or species onto the same rootstock. Most fruit trees are compatible within their species, but many are also compatible within their genus. That means that Prunus species such as plums, nectarines and peaches can be grafted onto the same tree, and why many types of citrus can be combined on a single rootstock.
Fruit Salad Trees can grow up to six different types of fruit, all on one tree. All the fruits will produce the same sized fruit as a standard tree, retaining their own characteristics like flavour, appearance and ripening times.
Dwarf, Double and Triple Grafted Fruit Trees
CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR DWARF, DOUBLE & TRIPLE GRAFTED FRUIT TREES
Apple Dwarf ‘Early Red’
The Dwarf Early Red Apple is an exciting new dwarf suitable for small gardens, container planting, or a small orchard. The tree can grow to a height of 3.5m and has beautiful pink and white blossoms in late September, and the fruit ripens from late February to early March. Apple trees are not self-fertile, requiring a second variety to cross-pollinate them and enable fruit production. Golden Delicious or Granny Smith both make good pollinators.
Apple Dwarf ‘Golden Delicious’
The Dwarf Golden Delicious is a popular variety producing sweet, crisp and golden-coloured apples. As a dwarf variety, this tree grows to a maximum of 3m, making it ideal for small gardens or container planting. It has a moderate growth rate and usually starts bearing fruit one year after planting. The fruit has a sweet, mild flavour with a hint of honey, perfect for fresh eating, baking, and sauces. They start flowering around early October and ready to harvest late February, early March. Apple trees are not self-fertile requiring a second variety to cross pollinate. Granny Smith or Early Red cross-pollinate Golden Delicious.
Apple Dwarf ‘Granny Smith’
Dwarf Granny Smith apple trees have been grafted onto dwarf M9 rootstock which is very productive, and trees will bear fruit 1 year after planting. Due to the rootstock used, the tree can grow up to 3m tall with a width of 1m. This makes it an ideal tree for any garden. The white blossoms appear in late September, and the fruit will ripen in late summer, February/March. Dwarf Granny Smith is great to grow in pots, and because the trees can be planted close together, they make an ideal apple tree hedge. They can even be espaliered against a wall or fence. These apple trees are self-fertile but will perform better with a different variety.
Cherry Dwarf ‘Lapins’
Lapins Cherry trees originated in British Columbia, Canada and are loved for their gorgeous mahogany red skin and delicious sweet flavour. The white blossoms appear in mid-September, and the fruit ripens in November. These trees have been grafted onto dwarf MXM14 rootstock, which is very productive. Due to the rootstock used, the tree can grow up to 3m high with a width of 2m, making Dwarf Lapins an ideal tree for home gardens and urban orchards. The trees are self-fertile and do not need another variety for cross-pollination.
Kumquat Dwarf ‘Meiwa’
The Meiwa Kumquat is a small, round citrus fruit. The thin and edible skin adds a slight chewiness, and it’s surprisingly sweet and somewhat syrupy, complementing the fruit’s tangy flesh. It can be enjoyed fresh, eaten whole, or used in various culinary applications, such as marmalades, salads, and desserts. This tree grows to a height of between 1.5 and 2m, growing well in garden beds or pots. Kumquats typically flower in the summer and their fruit ripens from late summer and autumn, or from winter to early spring, depending on the specific climate and tree. The long-lasting fruit can hang on the tree for months, providing a decorative and edible display throughout the cooler season.
Orange Dwarf Calamondin
The Calamondin Orange has gained popularity across the world for its versatility and because it is easy to grow and is hardier too cold than any other citrus. The tree is a cross between a kumquat and a mandarin orange and the small orange fruit resembles a small tangerine. The peel is thin, yellow to orange and easily separable. The fruit has a very sweet smell but a slightly sour taste, whereas the skin is surprisingly sweet. This dwarf orange tree can grow to a height of between 1.5 and 2m tall and the plant performs very well as a patio plant or even trimmed as a hedge. Calamondins can flower and fruit year-round making them magnificent ornamentals; and their showy orange fruits are eaten fresh or used in sweet and savoury dishes.
Mandarin Naartjie Dwarf
This Dwarf Mandarin Naartjie is technically a Nova Mandarin, and the relatively small fruits are sweet, juicy and delicious, and sometimes referred to as ‘kid-glove naartjies’. The dwarf trees do not need to be pollinated by another tree and can bear fruit alone, and because they grow very easily in containers they are ideal for small gardens or patios. Depending on the soil, climate conditions and care, the trees can grow to a height of 2 to 3m tall. Container grown specimens will remain small but bear enough fruit for the family. In South Africa, mandarin naartjies flower in spring, with peak blooming generally from late winter to early spring. Different varieties have slightly different blooming and fruiting times, and these are also influenced by the specific climate of the region where they are grown. The harvesting season varies, but generally runs from late April or early May for very early varieties like Clementines, through the mid-season from June to September, and sometimes extending into October for late-season mandarins.
Naartjie Dwarf ‘Nova’
The deep orange colour and distinctive sweetness of these medium-sized naartjies make them irresistible to fruit-lovers. The Nova Naartjie tends to have a thinner, tighter peel, so they are a little trickier to open than varieties with a loose skin. But, it’s well worth the extra effort for the delicious treat inside. Nova Naartjies are a cross between tangelo and clementine naartjies. The tree reaches a mature height of about 1.5m to 2m, and will do well in a pot with good drainage. Pick your gorgeous, sweet naartjies in May and June, when their skins are orange with no green on them.
Naartjie Dwarf 'Satsuma'
The Dwarf Satsuma Naartjie is sweet, juicy, delicious, and seedless. It grows easily in containers, making it ideal for homes with small gardens or patios. These trees do not require pollination by another tree and can produce fruit independently. Most dwarf satsumas are relatively slow-growing and have a spreading or drooping growth habit. Satsuma cultivars also stand out as the earliest ripening option among soft citrus fruits, and are harvested from mid-March to around the end of May. Dwarf varieties produce the same-sized fruit as standard Satsuma varieties, and the tree size will not affect the fruit yield. Pick your naartjies when they have turned from green to a beautiful orange colour.
Orange/Naartjie Double Grafted Tree
This double-grafted option is a standard-sized tree, with a grafted Naartjie and a grafted Orange. Your tree should produce oranges from April to September and naartjies from May to June. Prune the tree to your desired height to enable easier harvesting, and a good time to prune is once it stops fruiting. Remove branches in the middle of the tree to thin it out and allow sunlight in, this will also help control pests and diseases.
Lemon/Naartjie Double Grafted Tree
This combo is the best-of-two-worlds with a lemon and a naartjie grafted on one tree. This double-grafted option will grow into a standard-sized tree, with a grafted Eureka Lemon and a grafted Nova Naartjie. Your tree should produce Lemons from February to May and Mandarin naartjies between May and October. To enable easier harvesting prune the tree to your desired height once it stops fruiting. Remove branches in the middle of the tree to thin it out and allow sunlight in, this will also help control pests and diseases.
Lemon/Lime Double Grafted Tree
This duo will also tempt you as you have both lemons and limes on one tree. This double-grafted option is a standard-sized tree, with a grafted Eureka Lemon and a grafted Bear’s Lime. Your tree should give you fruit all year round. Limes from January and Lemons between February and July. To enable easier harvesting prune the tree to your desired height once it stops fruiting. Remove branches in the middle of the tree to thin it out and allow sunlight in, this will also help control pests and diseases.
Lime Dwarf 'Bears'
The Dwarf Bears Lime is also known as a Persian Lime. The tree will grow to a height of 1.5m to 2.5m. This evergreen has very few thorns and is prized for its oval vivid green fruit which has a glossy surface when immature, turning a pale-yellow colour when ripe, with a juicy light greenish-yellow pulp. Flowers and fruit develop throughout the year but are more abundant during winter. The slightly fragrant flowers with their long white petals shine against the evergreen glossy foliage.
Lemon Dwarf Rough Skin
The Rough Skin Lemon is the first cultivar of lemon grown in South Africa. It has bumpy, uneven, thick skin and is popular for its juicier, sweeter flavour. Rough-Skin Lemon trees can withstand cold climates, but if you live in a very cold region, use a frost cover for the first couple of years. The dwarf rough skin lemon will grow to about 2m in height. Your lemons are ready to be picked when their skin has turned from green to yellow (or mostly yellow) and they come off the tree when lifted and twisted. Prune the tree to your desired height to enable easier harvest. A good time to prune your lemon tree is once it stops fruiting. Remove branches in the middle of the tree to thin it out as this will aid in pest and disease control.
Lemon Dwarf ‘Eureka’
Dwarf Eureka lemon trees are small and compact in size, and prolific in fruit production. They grow approximately 1.5 to 2m tall, and despite their small stature, the trees are remarkably easy to care for and maintain. They adapt well to container growing and require less pruning than their larger counterparts, making them ideal for novice gardeners. Lemons can be picked as needed and are typically ripe from late autumn through winter.
Lemon Dwarf ‘Lemonade’
The Dwarf Lemonade (Limoneira) lemon tree grows well in South Africa and has become one of our most popular and productive lemon varieties due to its robust growth, high oil content, and extended flowering period. Introduced to South Africa around 1998, it is known for its fewer seeds, medium-sized fruit, and suitability for processing and fresh use. The fruit is medium-sized, almost seedless, and has high oil content. These lemons are great for fresh use, and the skin is perfect for zesting. Dwarf varieties will produce the exact size of fruit as a standard tree, and crop yield is not restricted. Dwarf lemonade typically reaches a height of approximately 2m, making it perfect for container planting. Lemons can be picked as needed and are typically ripe from late autumn through winter.
Lemon Dwarf ‘Lisbon’
The Dwarf Lisbon lemon tree grows well in South Africa and thrives in hot conditions, even tolerating strong winds. This variety grows vigorously, producing abundant fruit with a thin skin and high acidity. Dwarf varieties will produce the exact size of fruit as a standard tree, and crop yield is not restricted. Lemons can be picked as needed and are typically ripe from late autumn through winter. Dwarf Lisbon lemon trees can grow to approximately 2.5m.
Orange/Lemon Double Grafted Tree
Have your choice of a Lemon or an Orange on one tree. This double-grafted option is a standard-sized tree, with a grafted Eureka Lemon and a grafted Fischer Orange. Your tree should produce Oranges from April to September and Lemons from February to July.
Orange Dwarf ‘Valencia’
Valencia oranges are a popular sweet variety known for their excellent flavour and versatility. They have a thin, bright orange skin with a slightly dimpled surface, and are delicious eaten fresh, either on their own or as part of salads and desserts. Valencia oranges have a longer growing season compared to other orange varieties, often from late winter through summer. This extended season makes them a popular choice for producing fresh juice. Your dwarf variety will produce the same-sized fruit as a standard Valencia tree, and the tree size will not affect the fruit yield. These oranges can grow to 2m tall and are ideal for growing in a pot.
Dwarf Pomegranate ‘Little Charlie’
Little Charlie is a dwarf variety known for several key features and benefits. Its compact size makes it an ideal choice for small gardens. It grows to about 1.5m tall and 1 m wide. It has small, dense leaves that make it ideal for a low, compact hedge. It also grows well in containers and is frost-tolerant once established. The plant produces numerous juicy and flavourful fruits and both the vibrant orange-red flowers and fruits are highly ornamental. This variety is also known for its resilience as it thrives in various climates and is self-pollinating, ensuring a reliable fruit harvest.
Avocado Dwarf 'Hass'
The Hass avocado is one of the most popular and commercially grown avocado varieties worldwide. Dwarf Hass trees only reach a height of about 2m when fully grown, but they produce the same delicious, creamy-textured fruit as standard-sized trees. Hass avocados are known for their rich flavour and creamy texture, making them a favourite for salads, sandwiches, and guacamole. Overall, Dwarf Hass avocado trees are an excellent choice for avocado enthusiasts who want to enjoy home grown fruit but have limited space for larger trees. Given the proper care, dwarf Hass trees can provide a bountiful harvest of delicious avocados for many years.
Coconut Dwarf ‘Malayan’
The dwarf green coconut palm is a smaller and faster-maturing cultivar of the coconut palm tree. And although these dwarf trees will still reach heights of 7 to 10m, this is still significantly shorter than the standard coconut tree, which can grow up to 30m tall. Green coconuts are harvested when the husk is green. The water inside is sweeter and less thick than mature brown coconuts. As the coconut matures and the husk turns brown, the water inside becomes thicker, cloudier, and savoury. The water in mature brown coconuts also contains less sugar and more minerals than young green coconuts. Coconut trees typically start bearing fruit after 3 to 5 years, and the fruit matures in about 12 months.
Papaya Dwarf 'California'
Dwarf California Papaya is a unique dwarf cultivar valued for its compact size and fruiting characteristics. It is self-pollinating and grows to about 2 to 3m tall, making it suitable for smaller gardens or containers. It produces elongated yellow fruits when ripe, resembling a cross between a papaya and a banana in appearance. The fruits are often seedless or contain very few seeds, which is unusual for papayas.
Mango Double Grafted Heidi/Tommy Atkins
This duo has a grafted Heidi and a grafted Tommy Atkins, both on the same tree. Mango Heidi is a medium to large-sized, late season mango with a distinctive heart shape, and is deliciously sweet. It is perfect as a summer snack or in smoothies. It grows well in South Africa, and is often grown in the Western Cape. The Tommy Atkins mango is favoured for its long shelf-life and its resistance to bruising when transported. It has beautiful blushed yellow, red and purple skin with irresistible yellow flesh.
Mango Double Grafted Joa/Tommy Atkins
This duo has a grafted Joa and a grafted Tommy Atkins, both on the same tree. Joa Mango is a new South African cultivar which is not farmed commercially as it is not suitable for processing, as the exceptionally high sugar content turns the fruit brown when dried. The skin is shiny and orange to red in colour, and the perfume, flavour and appearance surpass most other mango varieties. The quality of the fruit is exceptional, and can be stored in a fridge with no side effects for up to a month. The Tommy Atkins mango is favoured for its long shelf-life and its resistance to bruising when transported. It has beautiful blushed yellow, red and purple skin with irresistible yellow flesh.
Double-grafted mango trees can be controlled through pruning to grow to a manageable size, typically around 3 to 6m tall and wide, making them suitable for smaller spaces. Unpruned trees can grow much taller, so regular pruning is essential for both controlling size and making the fruit easier to harvest. Prune in summer and again in winter to prevent the tree from becoming too big for your space. You can also stake the branches horizontally, making this duo also good for espalier.
Mango Double Grafted Keitt/Tommy Atkin
This duo has a grafted Keitt and a grafted Tommy Atkins, both on the same tree. Keitt mangoes are large, late-season fruits. Unlike most mango species, Keitts don’t have fibrous pieces in their flesh and remain green when ripe. This creamy, sweet fruit is excellent for desserts, salads, smoothies and preserves. Keitt are late-harvest mangoes harvested in the height of summer. The Tommy Atkins mango is favoured for its long shelf-life and its resistance to bruising when transported. It has beautiful blushed yellow, red and purple skin with irresistible yellow flesh.
Double-grafted mango trees can be controlled through pruning to grow to a manageable size, typically around 3 to 6m tall and wide, making them suitable for smaller spaces, although unpruned trees can grow much taller.
Mango Triple Grafted Keitt/Tommy Atkins/Joa
This trio has a grafted Keitt, Tommy Atkins and Joa, all on the same tree. The fruit of the Keitt mango arrives first, as early as August or September. Then Tommy Atkins mangoes will fruit in early December. You’ll know this medium to large-sized fruit from its thick skin and sunset orange-red colouring, and lastly, Joa will fruit in January/February. What an excellent way to experience these delicious fruits over an extended period.
Keitt mangoes are large, late-season fruits. Unlike most mango species, Keitts don’t have fibrous pieces in their flesh and remain green when ripe. The creamy, sweet fruit is excellent for desserts, salads, smoothies and preserves. Keitt are late-harvest mangoes harvested in the height of summer. The Tommy Atkins mango is favoured for its long shelf-life and its resistance to bruising when transported. It has beautiful blushed yellow, red and purple skin with irresistible yellow flesh. Joa is a new South African cultivar and is not farmed commercially as it is not suitable for processing as the exceptionally high sugar content turns the fruit brown when dried. The skin is shiny and orange to red in colour, and the perfume, flavour and appearance surpasses most other mango varieties. The quality of the fruit is exceptional, and can be stored in a fridge with no side effects for up to a month.
Cultivation:
Correct care and maintenance of your dwarf, double and triple grafted fruit trees will ensure they stay healthy and grow in a balanced form, producing their nutritious crops for years to come.
CLICK HERE TO SHOP FOR DWARF, DOUBLE & TRIPLE GRAFTED FRUIT TREES
Image by Dieter G from PixabayGrowing Dwarf, Double and Triple Grafted Fruit Trees in Pots
Potted fruit trees are great assets for small gardens and they look lovely adorning patios, walkways and even small balconies. Growing your tree in a pot will reduce the size of the tree to about two thirds the size the tree would normally grow in the ground. Start by selecting a pot a bit bigger than the plant bag it is currently growing in, and as a guide, every year or two you will need to repot into a slightly bigger pot. If you don't want to pot up every year you can also plant you directly into a large pot around the size of a half wine barrel size or larger, but you will then need to ensure that the soil has perfect drainage and that you do not overwater.
Terracotta pots are great but they will need extra watering compared to ceramic or plastic pots. Heavier pots provide stability and prevent the tree from tipping or blowing over easily. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
Use a high-quality potting mix, remove the bag and place the tree in the centre of the pot, ensuring the graft union (the knobby part where the different fruits are grafted) is above the soil line. Fill around the root ball with more potting mix, gently firming it down to eliminate air pockets. Give your tree a thorough watering to settle the soil.
Caring for potted fruit trees involves regular watering. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. In hot weather, this may mean watering daily. Use a balanced fertilizer every 6 to 8 weeks during the growing season.
Prune to shape the tree and keep it smaller and more accessible, and to remove any weak, dead or diseased branches.
Mango Double Grafted Planting Dwarf, Double and Triple Grafted Fruit Trees in Garden Beds
Select a site in full sun and where it will be sheltered from strong winds if possible. Dig a square hole, twice the size of the plant bag. Incorporate compost into the soil. Cut off the plastic bag and place the tree in the hole ensuring the graft union (the knobby part where the different fruits are grafted) is above the soil line. Fill around the root ball with more compost, gently firming it down to eliminate air pockets. If you have heavy or clay soils, plant your tree on top of the ground and mound soil up onto it. This will prevent your trees from becoming waterlogged. Give your tree a thorough watering to settle the soil. Add a thick layer of mulch to hold the moisture but keep it well away from the stems.
If you are planting several trees, ensure that you space them correctly to allow forgood air flow and sufficient space to harvest and prune between the trees
Keep your tree moist at all times, watering more often during the hotter months. Once established a weekly deep watering is better than frequent light sprinklings, as this promotes deeper root development. Reduce watering habits for dormant trees during the winter months.
Fertilise 2 to 3 times a year, in late winter, early summer and again in early autumn. Compost and mature manure are excellent fertilisers. Supplement with a good fertiliser for fruiting plants or a slow release fertiliser. Keep fertilisers well away from the trunk of the tree.
How to prune Dwarf, Double and Triple Grafted Fruit Trees
While your tree is young, it's most important that a comparison is made between the growth and vigour of each fruit’s branch work (we call this branch work “graft”). If one of the fruit grafts is growing faster, compared to the others, then it should be cut and shortened to ensure that each separate graft is growing at a ‘balanced’ and even rate. If all the grafts are not ‘balanced’ regularly, especially when the tree is young, then the faster growing grafts will become bigger, stronger and eventually dominate over the others, and depriving the slower growers of nutrients and space to grow.
Check for balancing about once a month and keep each graft confined to grow in its own area of the tree. When your tree is more mature, you'll need to ensure an overall wine glass shape, allowing room for air circulation and sunlight to reach the trunk.
Fruit Espalier. Picture by Gail Langellotto from flickrCan I espalier my Dwarf, Double and Triple Grafted Fruit Trees?
Yes you can espalier your trees along a wall on your balcony or against a fence or wall. This method saves space and is especially helpful for Apple trees as it provides extra support for heavy cropping. The art of espalier is a lot of work but can be great fun and most rewarding. A few of the benefits include being able to grow fruit at home in a narrow space, and where the fruit is easy to pick and maintain. This method can also be very artistic, and if done correctly, is guaranteed to have your neighbours talking.
Espalier is all about selectively pruning and training a plant into a desired shape, and an espalier fruit tree is the result of intensive training, so if you want to adopt this technique, bear in mind that that any espalier undertaking will be time consuming and can take years to complete. However, once established this method can make an exceptional focal point in bare areas of the garden, and especially along the large bare outdoor walls of your home, or perimeter walls. When trained on a free-standing trellis, these plants can also serve as attractive screens to hide unsightly views or to add privacy.
Sunlight needs to reach all the branches and fruit, so it’s best to direct growth to allow sunlight to hit the middle of the tree, you can do this by positioning the branches so there’s a V shape between each branch.
Branches of young trees can be gently persuaded to grow in any direction. You can guide them using bamboo stakes (or similar) and cloth strip ties made of old T-shirts. This technique may be useful for training against walls/structures or directing individual grafts.
Despite our best efforts, sometimes the grafts (branches) will grow along the one side of the rootstock or Mother Tree. Such trees can be gently nudged to grow in a desired direction by manoeuvring branches away from one another by staking and tying. Young branches are very flexible, but if the desired position requires a dramatic change in branch direction, training should be done gradually. This may mean moving the stake and ties every few weeks until branches are where you want them.
Remove rootstock growth
Any ‘rootstock’ growth on the tree must be removed as soon as possible. The rootstock tree is the main central stem of the tree and its root system under the soil. This is the ‘mother’ tree and it hosts the fruit grafts that have been attached (grafted) to it. If the roots shoot any growth out from the soil, cut it off as low as you can, and as soon as you can. You don’t want that growth to take energy away from the fruit grafts attached higher up on the central stem.
Thinning the fruit
The first fruits on your tree will appear anywhere between 6 and 18 months. On young trees its best to remove these fruits to allow your tree to use the energy to grow and develop a sturdy framework, which needs to be ahead of any fruit production.