dwarf mandarin imperial root system (forum)

md589010 starts with ...
I'm looking to plant an imperial dwarf mandarin when they become available again. I need to know about the root system.

How big are the root systems? How deep to the roots go and will they interfere with underground pipes?

I have pipes about 600mm below the ground almost directly under where I want to plant it, and it will be only 500mm from the edge of the driveway.

advice appreciated.

thanks
Michael

Time: 12th July 2018 8:56pm

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brad16 says...
If it was just the driveway, I'd say 'Gee, that's pretty close, but I think the driveway would be ok.'

I have a line of pavers just stuck into the ground around 1 m from an Imperial mandarin tree, and a couple of other citrus. The roots haven't interfered with it. Citrus don't seem to lift surrounding earth that much, but still, 500 mm is very close. What about the canopy of the tree interfering with driving a car up the driveway?

With the pipe, I think any tree planted directly on a pipe is a bad idea. Pipe work, for whatever reason, will become a drama, and 600 mm isn't very deep either.

Especially if it's poly pipe (which is just about all domestic pipe), I'd say don't do it. 'Dwarf' doesn't specify a size, it just says it's growth is retarded and won't grow as large as the same tree by seed.

I have a 'dwarf' lemon that is over 10 years old and comes up to my knee. That one may be ok for space invasion over the driveway.
Another 'dwarf' Imperial mandarin next to it is 2.5 m and you'd have to trim half the canopy away to use the driveway.
'Dwarfs' are all different. It depends on the tree and the rootstock used. Buying a tree simply labelled 'dwarf' could really mean anything from less than 1 m tall to something like 6 m.

If you really, really, really want to put a fruit tree there, look for something marketed as 'step-over', 'miniature' or something where the supplier specifies different grades of 'dwarfism'. Lots of growers don't do that because it's asserting a guarantee that they don't really want to imply.

There are 'super dwarf' (I made that term up, but I'm sure I've seen it used in marketing) citrus. The lemon tree I mentioned is proof of that, but I don't know what it was marketed as. I didn't buy it.

Time: 13th July 2018 11:19am

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Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi Md

Now if you are really keen on planting a dwarf mandarin in a limited space and depth you can address both.

First the depth, why not raise the garden bed that you are planting.By raising the bed by 12 inches or more the root system will have more room to grow. You can also install a thick plastic at the bottom of the raised garden bed to address the issue of root invading the piping system.

Secondly the space, like what i did to my mandarin i espaliered it. The width of my one dimensional manda is only 4 inches. The breadth is like 1-1/2 meters and its already fruiting.

I uploaded an image of my espaliered manda for your perusal.


Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 13th July 2018 5:38pm

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Original Post was last edited: 13th July 2018 5:55pm

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brad16 says...
Fruity! Nice going, espalier is brilliant idea for its proximity to a driveway!

Time: 14th July 2018 12:49pm

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Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi Brad

Thanks I have a few espaliers most them productive ATM apples, pears, mandas, feijoas, strawberry guavas, oranges, kumquat, and my most especial espalier a jaboticaba

Happy gardening :-)

Time: 15th July 2018 5:59pm

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md589010 says...
Thanks for the advice everyone!

Sounds like it can be, with a bit of effort.

At least I know what I'm doing now.

Thanks again

Time: 16th July 2018 4:57pm

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brad16 says...
Hey Fruity,

I think I'm losing the plot. I was about credit you with the espalier idea because I thought your message was the OP thanking me for your suggestion.

Winter isn't a good time for me. I cease to function properly.

Espalier jaboticaba. That's the first time I've seen those two words put together.

Happy fruiting Fruity!

Time: 16th July 2018 8:35pm

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Fruitylicious1 says...
Hi Brad

You read it right, I have a espaliered jaboticaba. I thought if doing it because I haven't heard or seen one before. That's what motivated me to be different.

Happy gardening :-)
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 18th July 2018 6:54am

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