CHAPTER VII 



FRUIT TREES IN POTS 

 By JAMES HUDSON 



In advocating the culture of fruit trees in pots, it must not be supposed that 

 this mode of treatment is intended to supersede planted out trees, whether 

 under glass or in the open air. It is rather an addition to the older and more 

 general system, and by its means very early crops of fruit can be more easily 

 secured — such, for instance, as figs, nectarines, peaches, cherries, and plums ; 

 the same structure will permit of two and even three crops being produced 

 within it in twelve months. Again, under pot culture the finest dessert 

 plums are much more satisfactory. The latest peaches and nectarines, if 

 not under the most favourable conditions in the open air, are of much better 

 flavour when grown in pots and ripened under glass. To the connoisseur of 

 dessert fruits, Cox's Orange Pippin, or Ribston Pippin apples, for instance, 

 from pot trees, are of superior finish and the finest flavour. In some districts 

 the culture of the best dessert cherries on walls or as bushes is practically a 

 failure. If grown in pots in an absolutely cold house it is astonishing what 

 crops may be secured. It is often said, and with much truth, that it takes 

 years to convert a Britisher to anything really novel and distinct, and the 

 culture of fruit trees in pots is a case in point. If any one requires an object 

 lesson in this direction, a visit should be paid to nurseries where this mode 

 of fruit culture is practised. It is for the private garden, either large or 

 small, rather than for the large fruit-growing establishments which supply 

 our markets, that pot culture is most to be commended. Quality in the 

 former case should predominate rather than quantity, but it does not so often 

 do so in the latter instance. Again, those who prefer to grow their own fruits, 

 rather than purchase them, can by pot culture of the trees make the most 

 of a small space. Beyond doubt, the pot culture of fruit trees in private 

 gardens has not been demonstrated in the most successful manner in many 

 instances. And why not ? To some extent it is easy to explain this. One 

 cannot hope to have pot fruit trees grown in the best possible manner 

 if shaded by other trees, such, for instance, as fruit trees trained on the 

 roof. It is not reasonable to suppose that success can be achieved in this way. 

 Light is absolutely an essential factor in successful fruit culture, therefore none 

 the less so for pot-grown trees. For instance, if the roof of any house is 

 covered with trained trees, or with vines, it is useless to think of growing pot 

 trees in that house. On the other hand, if the back wall only of any lean-to 

 or three-quarter-span house is covered with trained trees, then the front may 



