Three citrus trees have been grown together in a single pot as part of a backyard orchard project. The process began with the selection of three different types of citrus: Calamondin, Lime, and Lemon. These were chosen to provide fruit at different times of the year, with varieties selected for early, mid, and late ripening.
The gardener emphasized planting trees from the same species group—citrus with other citrus—to ensure compatibility. It was also noted that for home orchards, it is not necessary to aim for large yields typical of commercial operations; instead, pruning can help manage production to suit household needs.
To avoid excessive growth, a low-nitrogen fertilizer was used. The trees were initially allowed to mature in their pot for about a year before any consideration of moving them into the ground. This approach helps establish strong root systems.
A report from February 2025 indicated that most of the small trees had started budding and one had already set fruit. Due to cramped conditions in their original pots, they were repotted together using acid-type fertilizer and compost.
By November 2025, all three trees had adapted well over the summer. Growth rates varied among them: “I have found that the Lime is a very slow grower, while the Calamondin is a very fast grower, with the Lemon falling in between,” according to Loralei Dewe.
Mexican green onions were planted alongside the citrus as an insect deterrent and proved effective during their rapid growth phase. Some leaf drop was observed after heavy rainfall; watering has since been adjusted accordingly.
Fertilization will continue using an organic acid mix recommended by Ed Laivo: “It’s organic, so hard to over-fertilize. It’s a 4-3-6, so very gentle and contains humic acid, so Ed feels like it encourages bacterial growth in the soil.”
This November marks one full year since these citrus trees were combined into one container.
