Talkback: Buying fruit trees

Gardeners' World Web User

I shudder whenever I see fruit trees for sale in a supermarket! Stacked up in their plastic bags next to the fruit and veg. It would be interesting to hear if anyone has had much success buying from a supermarket?

Gardeners' World Web User

i have just recieved a family apple tree from DT Brown at a cost of 29.99(not by me, it was a gift)this is a really special addition to my vegetable oriented garden and i just cannot decide where to plant it.I have put it in a large bag filled with miracle grow compost with a bit of top soil on the surface for weight but i know this is non enough to stop root rock.how long do i have to site it? please help!!!

Gardeners' World Web User

Has anyone tried growing minarettes? I haven't enough space left for anything bigger, but wonder if they're worth growing.

Gardeners' World Web User

I've just bought three cherries on dwarfing rootstock which I want to train into either espalier or fan shape, to partially screen my wee sitootery from overlooking windows. However, when I checked my gardening books, they did just as your site does - described the finished article, but not when and how to produce it. My local garden centre bloke was excellent, but it would be very useful to get real info about what time of year and day is best, should I fasten the branches direct onto the canes to train them or can I simply put a connecting line from the branch to a fixed cane to pull the branch into the right position and let it swing in the wind, should I prune the ends of the branches to encourage spurs and if so when, can I direct the branches all at once or would a bit at a time be safer to avoid snapping them, etc.

Gardeners' World Web User

Hi all, I live in a terrace and our backyard (15ft length, 8ft wide about) is being transformed into a green oasis. I intend to get a trained fruit tree but wouldn't like it to grow too large. Is there a 'dwarf' type tree?
Thanks

Gardeners' World Web User

Hi Lainey, I bought 2 fruit trees last year at this time from the supermarket at £3-99 each they had just come in and I wanted something to put in barrels out the front of my house for wildlife and to add some colour to the block paveing which was here when we moved in. One is a cherry and the other a necturene which has flower buds on both trees look healthy and ive seen bluetits on them, so if they fruit its a bonus but ime more happy with the bluetits visiting them.There ornimental value I would give 10 out of 10 so not bad for £3-99 each.

Gardeners' World Web User

If your new tree is bare root, I'd try to plant it ASAP and certainly before the buds break, making sure the soil around it is kept just moist at all times so that the roots have a chance to establish before too much moisture is lost through the leaves. Open ground makes for easier and better results.

If space is limited I'm a great fan of codons and they work out extremely good value too.

Gardeners' World Web User

I purchased a stick, from woolworths about 3 years ago, it was supposed to be Magnolia Stellata, it is now a little tree Magnolia yes but Stellata no! whacking great pink and white flowers, I am now rather worried how big this beauty will grow in my fairly small garden, but what a buy for a couple of quid.

Gardeners' World Web User

I also bought a little apple tree that was worth the money, as this is supposed to be miniture, I hope it isn't going to surprise me too two large tree's in my garden would be too much.

Gardeners' World Web User

On the subject of plants bought from the supermarket - I bought a very small red acer for £2.49 a few years ago in Safeway's. It has been in a pot, and has had 3 different sites in the garden - now planted in front of a north facing wall and is absolutely beautiful. It's about 5 feet tall now and is just coming into leaf and once again looking gorgeous. A great bargain!

Gardeners' World Web User

I have to say I tend to avoid supermarket plants but have on occasion bought them.....but I think the trick is to make sure you know what you're doing and also to buy only when the plants have just been put out or else they are often in a very poor state!