Which fruit-tree for a balcony?

[elem]

I need some advice on which fruit trees could survive in a potted environment on a balcony?

[splitlid]

Plum is a real fruit yes?

[Spitfire]

Well Elem, to the best of my knowledge, which isn't very extensive on this subject, but as a wild stab at the subject, I think you can grow most of the smaller or reasonably sized fruit in a plant box/container. OK, forget the obviously difficult/oversized stuff like watermelon/durian/jackfruit etc but many of the other smaller ones are possible like lime/lemon/certain types of apple or rose apple/grapes etc.

You would have to get your botanical anorak on and start googling stuff left, right and center to make sure you got it right along with all the plant food suppliment ratios etc bla bla bla. If you did that then I don't see why not for a half decent range of fruit choice. I'm sure you could even dig up some gardening forums with budding Alan Titchmarsh (famous British TV gardener) types on it and fire away some questions.

I would imagine that there are plenty of people that grow fruit on their appartment balconies.

That's all that springs to my mind and if there aren't too many replies then this would probably be the best route to take without trying to point out the obvious.

[Randy Cornhole]

I have grown banana plants in a large tub (the non fruit bearing variety) They can grow about 6 - 8 feet and have lovely broad green leaves.

If they get bigger just cut lumps off (i believe they call it pruning) When the sun shines through the leaves it caste a lovely green hue...

[PeteC]

Mandarin oranges is a good one. You see the bushes with fruit in pots all the time around Chinese New Year in Bangkok, Singapore Hong Kong etc. They seem to do good in pots but it has to be sunny for them to bloom. Pete

[elem]

oki, thanks all, we'll see what happens...will report back later...

[thaiorchid]

spitfire.
Watermelon-trees ????

[komfortablynumb]

how about passion fruit.
Loverly flowers and a fruit to die for.
Can't grow them myself.
But maybe you have greener thumbs.

[PeteC]

how about passion fruit.
Loverly flowers and a fruit to die for.
Can't grow them myself.
But maybe you have greener thumbs.

I had them growing in Hawaii. They're a vine plant and if you should go away for a few weeks, you may return to find they cover the entire condo building. . Easy to grow in that type of volcanic soil but don't know about here. Pete

[Randy Cornhole]

This year I will mostly be growing weeds...

[redzonerocker]

This year I will mostly be growing weed...

[margaretcarnes]

As Komfortablynumb says passion flower is luvverly, but I've never seen it growing in LOS. I'm no expert but it can do well in the UK, and I've grown them successfully up North here, but it can be a bit temperamental and seems to do better in the South of England. So maybe worth a try on a sheltered Thai balcony.
I'd go for the citrus fruits, which can all be grown in containers. Although you may need to get a certain smaller type? Or figs which can also be grown in containers.
Bay is a good patio plant and well behaved. No fruit - but you can use the leaves in cooking, and they look nice topiaried.