Yes, you read it right! Fruit cocktail tree really does exist. It is no fantasy and has been around since the 1990s – a single tree that produces a variety of fruits. It is done by grafting multiple fruit trees of the same type onto one root system. During the early days, fruit cocktail trees were often grown only by experienced gardeners. Also known as a fruit salad tree, it is often grown outdoors and consists of different fruits of the same family.
There are four common fruit cocktail varieties available namely:
- Stone fruit – peaches, plums, nectarine, apricots, and peachcots
- Citrus – bears oranges, mandarins, tangelos, grapefruit, lemons, limes, and pomelos
- Multi apple – puts out a variety of apples
- Multi nashi – includes various Asian pear varieties
The question is, can it grow indoors? The answer is yes. Nowadays, it is possible to buy indoor fruit cocktail trees also known as dwarf fruit cocktail trees. They are typically planted with a root system for each plant making them stronger and easier to grow.
The Dwarf Fruit Cocktail Tree
The dwarf fruit cocktail tree is an indoor specimen. Also called 2 in 1 citrus tree, it has been genetically engineered to thrive in a container; thereby limiting its height at maturity.
It reaches up to four feet in height and can yield full-size fruits, giving a variety of fruits. Imagine a crop of lemons and limes all in one tree!
The indoor dwarf fruit cocktail tree yields about an equal amount of each fruit variety. The tree typically yields crop most part of the year upon maturity (around three years old), and if properly cared for can yield several pounds of fruit per crop.
Caring for a Dwarf Fruit Cocktail Tree
Like most indoor citrus, the dwarf fruit cocktail tree is easy to care for. All you need are a few hours of direct sunlight per day and frequent watering. It is recommended to place the tree in a location where it can bathe in the afternoon sun.
Don’t overwater!
Although typically you should water your indoor citrus tree regularly, be mindful to not overwater your tree. Overwatering is the most common reason for indoor fruit tree failure. Always wait till the soil is completely dry before watering, from every five days to once a week, depending on how dry or humid the tree’s location is.
The indoor fruit cocktail tree loves humidity and enjoys a shower of misting every now and then especially when humidity is low.
Within the third year, your tree should start to bear fruit. Feed the tree with a monthly dose of fruit tree fertilizer (make sure to follow the manufacturer’s fertilizing instructions).
The indoor fruit cocktail tree is perfect for the fruit lover who has limited to no gardening space available. Besides occupying very little space, they can come in four different types and can bear different fruits of the same family on a single tree!
Amaze your friends! The indoor fruit cocktail tree is probably the most unique indoor fruit tree you can display in your home. Plus it is always great to have a free supply of fresh fruits right within reach making the fruit cocktail tree a wonderful addition to your home.