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Growing Dwarf Citrus Essential Tips
Q | How Do I Treat Damage Caused By Frost & Freezing? |
A |
Water the tree immediately as freezing temperatures pull the moisture out of the tree's roots. If the tree is viable it will take a few weeks for the appearance of new buds. After bud break you can prune the branches if desired. Lemon Citrus Tree |
Q | What Are The Citrus Tree Preparations For Frost? |
A |
Preconditioning helps; trees exposed slowly to cold will fare better than those subjected to a sudden frost. Also, prolonged exposure to cold is more damaging than a brief plunge in temperature. Here are some methods we have used to help protect plants when freezing temperatures may pose a threat.
Lemon Citrus Tree |
Q | What Is The Productivity & Ripening Time For Citrus? |
A |
Once the trees are about 3 years old, they are mature enough to handle fruit production without impacting branch and foliage growth. Often younger trees will bloom in the spring; however, we recommend pinching the blooms off to let the tree develop branches, roots and leaves to better support fruit production later. For lemons and limes, the time from bloom to edible fruit is generally 6-9 months. For winter oranges and other citrus, it is generally 12 months. Keep in mind that all citrus fruits only ripen on the tree. The best way to determine ripeness is to pick a fruit and sample it, since rind color can be an unreliable indicator. Average Crop Yield Lemon Citrus Tree |
Q | What's The Proper Way To Water My Citrus Tree? |
A |
Please bear in mind that each environment (micro-climate) is unique, so it is important to monitor your plants. What your tree requires in the hot summer temperatures, is not what it will require when it is indoors for the winter.
Lemon Citrus Tree |
Q | When To Fertilize My Citrus Tree? |
A |
Since citrus trees are heavy nitrogen feeders, make sure your fertilizer contains more nitrogen (N) than phosphorous (P) and potassium (K). Use at least a 2-1-1 (N:P:K) ratio. or 3-1-1 ratio. Trace minerals such as iron, zinc, and manganese are also important, so make sure those are included in your fertilizing schedule. Follow rates on the package carefully as fertilizers come in different strengths, release rates, and application schedules. Yellowing leaves indicate a lack of fertilizer, poor drainage, a pest or overwatering. Dark lush green leaves with burned tips indicate excessive fertilizing, or a lack of moisture. NEVER use fertilizer stakes in a pot, these can burn roots, even to the point of killing immature trees. Quality organic fertilizers are available in granular form, which can simply be applied to the soil surface or mixed in water. Lemon Citrus Tree |
Q | Why Should I Prune My Citrus Tree? |
A |
Citrus may be pruned to any desired shape. Pruning is fine any time of year, except in the winter for outdoor trees. Pinching back tips of new growth is the best way to round out the trees without impacting future fruit. Citrus will look fuller with occasional pruning to shape leggy branches. Very leggy branches indicate the need for more light. Some trees may develop erratic juvenile growth above the graft. If so, prune for shape and balance. Any growth above the graft can eventually bear fruit. Pruning to Optimize Fullness & Fruit Production Pruning Container-Grown Trees Lemon Citrus Tree |