Apple tree advice

[pickledtink]

Will I be able to grow a semi dwarf Braeburn in a container? It says it will grow 10 - 13 ft if not pruned so if I prune it and keep it around 6-8 ft will it grow and produce apples? If so what size pot do I need?
Putting it into the ground would be very difficult as my garden is hacked out of a cliff face with a bit of rough terracing we've built up out of rubble so it's all tiny raised beds, pots and grow bags. Thanks for any advice as I 've never tried growing fruit trees before. This was an impulse buy at the garden centre.

[pickledtink]

No? I've got a horrible feeling I've made a boob here. It's a lovely little tree too but I can't find anywhere to actually plant it.
I've trawled the web searching for some info but everything seems to suggest it won't fruit if I keep it small. *sigh*

[Lesley Jay]

Pickledtink I had hoped that one of our fruit experts would have replied but I have got my book out and it says most tree forms can be grown in containers with minarettes, pyramids and dwarf bush trees being particularly suitable. The container limits the size of the tree and so most root stocks are suitable but the dwarf are best. Use contains slightly larger in diameter than the root area. Up to 3 inches larger. If the roots are a little too large for the pot they can be trimmed back so that they sit freely in the pot without curling up. It should be repotted every year in late autumn to a larger pot until it has reached the desired size. I can't see why there should be a problem with it producing fruit.

[nick the grief]

It won't carry such a heavy crop either Pickledtink if you have it in a container, As to size, unles you plan on a big bonsai I'd find the biggest on you can! A 6ft tall tree is going to be pretty top heavy & you'll want some weight at the bottom th keep it stable.

Cant you re-train it as an espalier against a fence?

[pickledtink]

Pickledtink I had hoped that one of our fruit experts would have replied but I have got my book out and it says most tree forms can be grown in containers with minarettes, pyramids and dwarf bush trees being particularly suitable. The container limits the size of the tree and so most root stocks are suitable but the dwarf are best. Use contains slightly larger in diameter than the root area. Up to 3 inches larger. If the roots are a little too large for the pot they can be trimmed back so that they sit freely in the pot without curling up. It should be repotted every year in late autumn to a larger pot until it has reached the desired size. I can't see why there should be a problem with it producing fruit.

Thanks.
I found some info eventually which says I can keep it at 6-8 foot and it'll fruit around year 2. I might have to find some way to get it into the ground though as the lowest it can go is the second level of my terracing which gets some sun half the year. The next level up gets good sun about 7 months but there is only one spot possible and that has my mini greenhouse perched on it. No pot would withstand the winds up there so that's out and ground level gets 2 hours sun for 4 months max so no good there.

[pickledtink]

It won't carry such a heavy crop either Pickledtink if you have it in a container, As to size, unles you plan on a big bonsai I'd find the biggest on you can! A 6ft tall tree is going to be pretty top heavy & you'll want some weight at the bottom th keep it stable.

Cant you re-train it as an espalier against a fence?

No fence. I live beneath an old seaside cliff face so the garden is actually hacked out of it in tiny narrow terraces up to about 20 foot with hawthorn and May growing out of it above that up to the top. The ground level is in total shade most of the time so can't grow anything which needs sun down there unfortunately.

[bramble]

Hi Pickledtink, don't know if its any use to you, but I have two aple trees in half barrels for the last four or five years and I always get a good crop from them. The only down side is, you have to make sure they don't dry out. Otherwise no problem.