I have a wonderful opportunity to plant lots of citrus and other fruit trees on a south facing location. The location is about 40 feet long and will border a privacy wall. Next to the wall is a side yard with a swimming pool. At first I thought about planting only citrus trees but then I thought it may be better to mix some other fruit trees such as peach, fig, pomegranite. Will the combination work?
My next dilemma is what size containers would be best so we are not waiting for ever to harvest fruit.

I am looking for unique varieties of citrus so if you have one that you love and grow in southern california (I am in pasadena), I would like to know their names. Ones I am considering are Yuzu, Rangpur limes, bergamot orange, Meiwa kumquats, Limonero fino lemon, meyer lemon, mexican lime, algerian mandarin, honey mandarin, moro blood orange.

Finally, any ideas on the sweetest, juiciest peach variety, pomegranite and favorite variety of fig. Thanks.

Sounds like you have your citrus selections down. Although I'm curious what you'll be doing with the Bergamot orange? Earl Grey?

Yes you can have peaches and figs together next to the citrus, but people don't usually intermix plantings mostly due to spraying requirements. If linearly planting (or hedge): all citrus, then a space where a tree would've been, then peaches, space, and so forth. Forty feet is occupied quickly when you start planting many trees, as you listed above.

Dave Wilson are quality trees and are sold in southern CA, although they do not sell citrus they do sell peaches and figs and have a great website with a published Fruit Tasting report showing the various varieties and how they ranked. You might also consider reading their backyard orchard information . They encourage planting trees in smaller spaces (or multiple trees very close together) but do so only if you tackle the task of pruning and training and will never let the trees grow wildly. You'll want to review the chill hours and most try for a successive ripening method.

Sorry I know nothing of Figs.

figs are easy to grow anywhere, in containers, in the ground. they root easy but have a different low spreading growth habit and like peaches are deciduous. i grow brown turkey and viollete de bordeux in containers and they flourish.

peaches would work great in your climate, get a low chill variety for your area, we can grow florida prince, tropic beauty and tropic snow. those would probably do great in your area as well. they have a symmetrical growth habit

pomegranate is a bushy tree, i would recommend Wonderful. you could also grow it in a big container.

all these trees have different growth habits IMO they would look better separated

Thanks Cebury and Mango Kush for your responses. Lots of great ideas to consider here.

I would use Bergamot orange for jam making as the rinds are very aromatic. We also have a seating area near these citruses and I would think the flowers are also very aromatic. Although someone else suggested growing only fruits that one readily uses. This may become a factor to eliminate this variety if space becomes an issue.

Although I have never done this, I like the idea of growing fig or pomegranite in a container but do they ever produce as abundantly as when they are grown in the ground? Thanks.

??? don't mean to go OT, but mango_kush, can you explain this? I grow Meyer lemons and Bearss Lime and never spray for any reason. Snails and slugs are mostly what I fight, with occasional scale (but those really prefer the cestrum plants, so again, not enough of a problem to be worth any effort).

I concur that 40' is very little space for fruit trees. Meyers grafted to a standard will rapidly grow to at least 8' across in less than 10 yrs, and they're modestly sized for fruit trees. When mature you'll harvest close to 120 lbs or more of fruit from a single Meyer, BTW.

Sounds like you want it all; looks, variety and abundant crop . . . and in a tight space (for trees). Maybe I can help shed some light on your situation. First, what are your space restrictions; 40-50 ft by what? How must it look to please you and maybe your neighboors? Will the plantings surround the pool? How much evergreen do you need or want? Citrus (and Fortunella)(Kumquats) and some others you mentioned are evergreen. Some you seek go bare and need dormancy. Second, space; it will determine the size and quantity of mature plants you can keep. For all of your many desires to come true, dwarfs and hybrids may be a good solution. As for size plants to get, let your wallet be your guide. Get the biggest plants you can buy, 5 gal. or bigger if you can swing it. Try to buy grafted stock to maximize quick production, maximize yield and ensure the fruit is as expected. You will pay more and get more than seed grown. Almost lastly, go for what you want to see and eat. Grow it as a yen, a fad or just a lark. Pomegranites, I have heard, will rejuvinate you and eliminate any pains you may have (including children) with just one bite. OK, I would grow one anyway. Just about lastly, Kumquats are my hearts desire. Contact me if you want more about this, but I would forgo the usual stuff you see and go for the ornimentals like Fortunella Hindsii (Hong Kong or other varieties) or even Fortunella Japonica as a solution. They are compact, bushy and yield a very unique and colorful blossom and fruit. Hard to find, but worth it. Lastly, consider the economics of your life. Will you be in this home five, ten or fifteen years or more from now? Consider this, and let it be your guide. If you are there giving it to yourself and your next generation, go with your dreams, try it all and tell all what worked for you.

God bless your planting.

Tim

Grow things you will use a lot of and cannot get locally
at very economical $. Citrus yields a lot after a few
years. Don't grow something you dont intend to use.

The best tasting *each ( my key to right of o
still doesnt work] for low chill may be tro*ic
snow.

Larry

Kumquat: Great points you raised. I had no idea about graft stock versus seed grown. If you could plant one kumquat, what would it be? What kind of citrus are Fortunella Hindsii (Hong Kong or other varieties) and Fortunella Japonica?

Thanks

I also have Red Baron and Babcock. How would you compare these to Tropic Snow?

Sandra

The Kumquat, an Asian delight, now cultivated in two main varieties commercially in CA and FLA, make a unique growing and eating experience. The fruit is eaten whole, rind, pulp and all because of the sweet rind. Nagami and Meiwa are what you will find in your area. Look for them. Taste them. See what you like.

The Kumquat was in the Citrus family until about the end of the 19th century. A man named Fortune made the discovery of these exotic oriental plants and was given credit for a new genus named Fortunella in his honor.

More Soon. I have other activities that pressing.

Tim

Here is more information:

The Nagami or Oval Kumquat (Fortunella.margarita) is the most common variety in the United States. It was introduced into Florida from Japan in 1885 and has been grown commercially in the "Kumquat Capitol," Saint Joseph, Florida since 1895.
The Nagami Kumquat is oval in shape, 3/4" to 1" in diameter and between 1" to 2" long. The tartness of the fruit makes them great for use in cooking and/or for marmalades and jellies.
The tree is shrub like and is similar to an orange tree in appearance. It is a prolific bearer and very decorative because of the dark green leaves and brilliant orange fruit. The fruit lasts for several months on the tree in warm winter climates.
The trees do very well when planted in the yard or in larger pots. They can withstand temperatures as low as 28 degrees and require about the same care as other citrus. They can be grown throughout Florida, but produce larger and juicier fruit when grown in the sandy soils on the hills of eastern Pasco County in central Florida. The kumquat tree is highly resistant and possibly immune to citrus canker.
 The word KUMQUAT is Chinese for "Gold Orange" because of the color of the fruit.
How to eat a Kumquat!
Click here to view the video
Kumquats have been called "the little gold gems of the citrus family". They are believed to be native to China and were included in the genus Citrus until about 1915 when Dr. Walter T. Swingle set them apart in the genus Fortunella. (in honor of the British horticulturist, Robert Fortune who introduced the kumquat to Europe in 1846). "Cumquat" is the common British spelling of the name for the fruit.
There are four varieties (species) of kumquats. They are the Hong Kong Wild (Fortunella hindsii), Marumi (Fortunella japonica), Meiwa (Fortunella crassifolia), and Nagami (Fortunella margarita). The two most common species of kumquats grown in the United States are the 'Nagami' and the 'Meiwa'.
Kumquats have a very distinctive taste. It is the only citrus fruit that can be eaten "skin and all." The peel is the sweetest part and can be eaten separately. The pulp contains the seeds and juice, which is sour. When eaten together, you get a sweet and sour taste which is unlike anything else. The seeds, however, should not be eaten. They are similar to the seed of the orange and have a distinctive green color. The seeds also contain pectin, which can be removed by boiling for use in making jams and jellies.
Nutritional Information
 The Meiwa or Large Round Kumquat (Fortunella.crassifolia) is grown extensively in China. In Japan, it is also called the ninpo or neiha kinkan. It was introduced into the United States from Japan in 1910, but is still somewhat rare here.
Meiwa kumquats are more round in shape and are often referred to as "sweet kumquats". They have few seeds and are best eaten whole. While they are very good to eat, it is not recommended that you use them for cooking or for marmalade as they lack the tartness of the Nagami kumquats.
The Meiwa kumquats are not normally available commercially. However, we have had some requests for them in the last few years. Call or E-Mail for availability and pricing.


I extracted this from a good reference site.

My personal choice will always be the ornimental Hindsii with all of the thorns, like the rose, yielding the most beautiful fragrant flowers and the perfect visual fruit. Of course many say they are inedible, sour with large seeds. The asians flock to these wild fruit trees to pick and jar in sugar water so you can pop the whole thing in your mouth like candy. I could go on.

Best of luck to you in your selection.

If you need any more help, just ask and I will give what I know.

Tim

Kumquat guy