Anyone grown a fruit cocktail tree?

[MsManiac498]

Being as I have a small yard but want to grow as much of our own food as possible, I'm thinking of planting a few "5-in-1"-type fruit trees. But I have read on other sites that sometimes the grafts fall off or they don't produce any fruit at all...but nothing from anyone who has actually tried to grow one!! Have any of you guys tried one? What's your opinion of them in general? I really want to give it a shot, but don't want to waste my money or effort growing something for nil!!

[pruninggal]

From a pruning point of view, they are a bear to manage. You'll have to know how to take care of 5 different kinds of fruit trees which all require different pruning strategies to produce fruit. Also, sometimes one or two of the grafts grows much faster than the others giving the tree a very weird shape. Have you considered espaliering instead ... or growing some in pots? There are several small cutivars which flower and fruit without getting very large.

Good luck!
pruninggal

[MsManiac498]

Thanks for the info, pruninggal!! I haven't even thought of the pruning part yet lol--I know it'll have to be done, though. All part of the joy of gardening!! I've been eyeing some of the smaller potted trees, but haven't made up my mind exactly what I'm going to order.