Bonsai Fruit Trees

[JGPangi]

I didn't think these were possible with our climate but we recently came across a garden that was so surreal, I fell in love with the idea. There was a tiny lemon tree with a fruit almost as big as it was tall, it was AWESOME. The caretakers told me that they had just sold an orange tree and a guava tree, both bonsai, both fruit-bearing.

I would love to find out how to do this, mostly because we don't have a lot of space here at home. It's not so much for the aesthetic-ness of having a miniature plant, but I just think having a towering fruit tree is sometimes so wasted because no one bothers to go all the way to the top for the fruit. Does anyone have any experience in growing and grooming bonsai trees? Any tip and tricks out there that could help a beginner start in the right direction?

 

[firelily99]

I have never seen them before. Where is it that you saw them? I live in Connecticut and am wondering if they would survive here.-

 

[claudine]

I'm not an expert, but I think that there is no difference between growing fruit tree bonsais and regular bonsais. It takes a lot of time and effort.
Here is an interesting guide that I've just found: http://www.ehow.com/how_6226011_make-bonsai-lemon-tree.html

 

[Trellum]

I don't think that fruit bonsai trees are the best idea for beginners, I mean, the average bonsai trees we see often require a lot skill and experience! Now imagine a fruit bonsai tree! That one must take a lot skill... to make it right and make it bear fruit. Just check those perfect examples i found online:

 

[JGPangi]

Oh man, those look gorgeous, Trellum! Great finds there.

I think 'bonsai' is a bit of a misnomer for what I want to do, since I don't really have time and effort to spare into making a real miniature tree in that scope. I do however want to miniaturize a tree, perhaps keep it at around six feet or less. I was hoping to employ the principles found in bonsai so that they could still grow strong regardless of height. Does that make sense?

 

[Chuck]

Oh man, those look gorgeous, Trellum! Great finds there.

I think 'bonsai' is a bit of a misnomer for what I want to do, since I don't really have time and effort to spare into making a real miniature tree in that scope. I do however want to miniaturize a tree, perhaps keep it at around six feet or less. I was hoping to employ the principles found in bonsai so that they could still grow strong regardless of height. Does that make sense?

I think what you want are called dwarf varieties. There are dwarf plums and dwarf citrus that I see every so often. There is probably dwarf everything out there. Bonsai takes a lot of time, experience and knowledge. There are bonsai clubs out there you could join to learn a little about it. I have heard that once you start it is difficult to stop and is a life long project.