Are there any general guidelines for pruning potted dwarf container citrus?
Currently most of my plants have potted top growth of roughly 20". I would like to keep them 20"-25" in a bush style without new shoots growing in all different directions. My concern is that if I prune off to many branches then I will lose future flowering and fruit production. I've seen photos of small citrus plants with lots of fruit. How is this possible?.Uploaded with ImageShack.com []

If you prune the entire tree every year your trees will never produce fruit. However, if you strongly feel you must absolutely prune your trees wait until the trees begin to flower and fruit Then you can start a program of pruning only one side of the tree, leaving the other side to produce fruit. The following year (every two years might be better) then prune the other side leaving the original side to bloom and fruit. In reality you never need to prune to keep your trees small. Just because they are growing in the containers seen in the pictures that you posted, those containers will naturally keep the tree's small in size, but you will have to root prune them every several years to keep them healthy. - Millet

Thanks, I will follow your suggestions.

Nice trees.

Yes, root pruning is probably the key of growing healthy and productive containerized citrus. Trees grown in such small pots will require only minor top pruning every now and then. I usually pinch out the new growth to encourage bushiness. Leaving only 4-5 buds, not counting the blind ones, will certainly do the job in terms of developing smaller, more compact tree crown. This way you will never, ever need to use your pruning shears again, except for harvesting.
Igor

This is great. Pinching some new growth with root pruning every few years sound like the ideal method.
Thanks

I've always been wondering myself... how do nurseries make their plants small and bushy yet produce lots of flowers? If I prune my plants it may take 2 years before I see another flower and by that time the pants are back at their original size.

Marc, give this method a try. I have been using it for about 3 years now, and no leggy branches. I manage to keep my citrus dwarfed (flushing regularly) in relatively small containers up to 45-50 cm (roughly 10 gallon buckets) which makes overwintering much easier. Fruit production hasn't been affected in a negative way either.