Should I plant out my patio fruit trees?

[DigbyTheDigger]

I have a Victoria Plum and a Conference Pear. The plum particularly is struggling in its pot, I think maybe it needs more water. I’m happy to plant them out in the garden but want a realistic idea of how big they’ll grow so I know where to put them. Will they really stay between 1m and 2m tall?

I have ‘proper’ dwarf fruit trees but don’t know what to expect with these patio munchkins.

Impossible to say without knowing the rootstock.

They’re not proper rootstocks. I have a couple of M9s so I know what you mean. These are ones specifically sold as patio trees, no rootstock listed on the label. Label says they should grow to between 1 and 2m, which is quite a range for something so short. The trunk is about 50cm.

Both Chris Bowers and Orange Pippin talk about M27 having made patio trees possible, so I would infer from that that they are M27. Up to 2m, need permanent staking, and weeds cleared from around the base.

Thanks. Does ‘no weeds round the base’ mean nothing can be planted round the base? I’d like to put them in a border where there are other things.

Recommended not, because they're not very strong growing and find it hard to cope with competition. You could always give it a try, and be prepared to add extra fertiliser.

Thanks!