The above is a four year old Kumquat in the ground. It does not grow all that large, maybe ten or twelve feet. The one below is a grafted Orange, this one also does not grow all that large. So maybe they might do well in a container. I had them in containers but the poor things looked so miserable
. They get in summer about six hours of sun and in winters maybe three hours.
Now to the pruning part. As you can see they are in the ground and I can't cart them around so they have to put up with the frost. Now what the frost does is all the growth after July(soft) rots due to it. That is all the damage done. That is also natural pruning. All the pruning I have to do is to cut out the damaged part and some to shape the bush so don't prune early. Let the frost do its damage first.
As to root pruning, they should be going dormant any time soon (that is they will go to sleep). Now slip them out of the pot (when they are fast asleep), brush off as much of the dirt then wash the root ball. That's it, you have the entire clean root structure in front of you. Now this is what I do maybe some one else does it different, different cooks. Cut away all the thick roots, any thing larger then your pinky. You can see better, now cut out the fine/very thin roots which will reduce a lot of confusion and you will be left with healthy medium sized roots. What ever is left trim to shape/fit inside the new pot. Pot it with fresh soil and let the plant rest under some shady tree. Sun is not important at this stage direct frost protection is. After a month or so(spring, sap rising) some activity should start now gradually(snails pace with a lot of rest in between) shift it into more and more light until it can take the full sun.
Now it(surgery) should be done with a firm but loving hand(like with a spoilt brat) the plant should not feel you anxiety. What ever others may say but I am 100% certain that plants can feel.
Above I have written direct frost protection. You can do that even now, put them under some kind of a shade, they will soon be going dormant and will not require the sun nor heat. If you feel sad about it put some felt kind of felt blanket or grass around the pot. Go easy with the water.
Regards,
Arif.
