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YOUR GARDENING QUESTIONS THIS MONTH WHICH CITRUS? TINY ORCHARD

I I planted two different citrus seedlings about three years ago but I can’t remember what they were. One was definitely a lime and although it has not grown very big, it flowers and flowers and produces limes. The other one has grown very well, looks beautiful, but does not flower. It has sharp spines. Can I get it to flower or does it have to be a certain age before it flowers? What sort of citrus is it? ANNA WOLTERBEEK, WAIRARAPA

AFirst of all, it can be hard to identify citrus. However, sometimes crushing up the leaves can help – lime leaves smell like lime fruit and lemon leaves smell like lemons!

Citrus is usually grafted onto trifoliata rootstock which has wicked spines so if growth comes from the base of the plant it could be that the rootstock has taken over.

But sometimes young plants with lush vegetative growth can produce thin sharp spines – when it starts fruiting these should stop.

To encourage flower and fruit production, apply potassium in the form of sulphate of potash. Do this in spring when new growth starts flushing. Don’t feed in winter as new growth will be hit by frost.

Feeding with a citrus fertiliser with high levels of potassium essential for flower production (and not too much nitrogen) encourages healthy, productive growth. Kate Marshall, Waimea Nurseries I’ve just moved into a new townhouse with a much smaller garden. I’d like to grow my own fruit. What I can fit into my garden in the way of small fruit trees without creating too much work for myself. MARGARET HASTING, BLENHEIM

AAs sections have got smaller there has been a push for plant breeders to produce compact varieties.

It’s better to start with a dwarf variety or one grafted onto dwarf rootstock rather than try to restrain the natural growth pattern of a giant pear or apple tree.

Waimea Nurseries, Incredible Edibles and Edible Garden have good selections. Remember to check the pollination requirements.

Some trees can be grown in large pots but they do need more attention in the way of watering and feeding than those planted in the ground. Strawberries can be grown in wall pockets – but do need more care than those in the ground. A drip irrigation system is essential or you’ll be watering twice a day.

Use the fences for passionfruit, grapes or espaliered fruit trees.

Make everything do double (or triple) duty. For example, if you’re putting in a hedge, make it an edible one – feijoas, hazelnuts or ‘Ballerina’ apples. If you’re planting a shade tree, make it an edible one with pretty blossom. If you plant an apple or pear put in a double or triple grafted one with the correct pollinators. Or plant several trees in the same hole. The root competition keeps them small and you can cover the pollination needs of the trees by choosing varieties carefully. Barbara Smith