Cumquats self-seeded basil and a mulberry tree |
There are over 25 different species of fruit trees on our rented
property, most of them in pots. A tree will grow to the size of its root system.
If it's in a pot, the tree will dwarf. Our trees grow in pots about 30-50 cm diameter which
are placed in a styrofoam box. The box acts as a saucer - holding water. There
is a small hole on the side of box about 5 cm above bottom creating a water well. Excess water after heavy rain or during watering will overflow
and the tree does not get waterlogged . We use a layer of wood chips at the bottom of
the box and around the pot. After a while,
woodchips decompose and when the tree roots start to come out of the pot they get
extra room and nutrition to grow. Most importantly, styrofoam and woodchips provide shade for the pots from sunshine and high ambient temperature and keep the root system
cool. Otherwise roots would be “cooked” with direct sunshine falling on black pots which makes them very hot.
In this way trees are not water or heat stressed and grow tremendously.
In this way trees are not water or heat stressed and grow tremendously.
We harvest a lot of figs, mulberries, cumquats, lemons and
curry tree berries. Trees change our concrete yard into a green oasis.
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