What fruit (or vegetable) can I grow in large whiskey barrel in intense FL sunlight?

[bucsmagicrays1378]

I was wondering what type of fruit (may consider vegetable), I would be able to grow in a wooden 17″ H x 24″ W x 24″ L whiskey barrel planter. I live in an apartment (will be moving in 1.5 more years), and have been growing 4 varieties of peppers, heat-tolerant tomatoes, and several herbs in whiskey barrel planters for the past 2 years. I use the barrel planters so I can take them when I move out. I would like to grow some type of fruit tree, perhaps a lime tree, in one of these barrels that I recently cleared out. The plant will be in the intense Florida sun most of the year. I was hoping some experienced gardeners can help me decide what I can realistically grow under these conditions. Thank you!

[Chris]

Very few fruit trees do good in containers as they need room. There are specifically designed dwarf citrus that can do good in containers, but you should expect a few years before you get any yield. Make sure you get a dwarf though, not just any old lime or lemon tree.

[Charm Dreier]

I have improved Meyer's lemon and Kaffir lime growing successfully in large pots on my sunny, CA concrete patio. I have had success and near failure. They have both always produced for me, although the limes are small and insignificant-- I use this tree for it's aromatic leaves in Thai cooking. The near failure I had was when I wasn't watering enough. I now have them on irrigation so they are getting consistent water, and they are both very happy for it!

I have also had success including fruit yields from potted blueberry shrubs, strawberries, and cumquat tree. All on the same hot & sunny patio.

If it is too hot, consider elevating the planter off of the ground with a pallette or two 2x4's to get some air flow under the pot to cool the plant roots.