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Dwarf Citrus Commonly Asked Questions
| Q | Are Citrus Tree Leaves Edible? |
| A |
Any Thai cookbook that alludes to the use of citrus leaves really means Kaffir (Kieffer) Lime leaves. |
| Q | Can I Determine Ripeness By The Color Of The Fruit? |
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Cooling nighttime temperatures trigger the appearance of orange and yellow hues in the rinds of citrus fruits. In temperate climates that have gradually cooling nighttime temperatures toward winter, fruit coloration is generally a good indicator of ripeness. In tropical climates and also in many indoor growing situations, fruit coloration may not be the best indicator of ripeness because the tree is not receiving the necessary climactic cues for fruit coloring. This is why the Key lime is harvested green in the more tropical areas of Mexico and Florida where it is grown commercially. These limes are ripe when picked, even though they are still green. Limes in California and other areas that receive cooler temperatures during the ripening season will actually turn yellow when ready to pick. Like most citrus, lemons are green as they develop, then turn gradually to yellow when ripe. (Extremely ripe Meyer lemons actually take on a lovely orange hue.) Once mature, most lemon varieties will hang on the tree for several months, slowly growing larger and developing thicker skins. When coloration is not a reliable indicator, ripeness can be determined with other methods. Look for the development of a dusky appearance on the rind of ripe fruits. The final determinant of ripeness will be how the fruit tastes. Sampling is often the most reliable indicator of when to harvest. Remember that citrus will not ripen further once picked. More information on green fruit and fruit drop here- https://lemoncitrustree.com/store/citrus-blog/2017/08/23/did-i-get-a-lime-tree-why-is-my-citrus-fruit-still-green/ Lemon Citrus Tree |
| Q | Can I Grow Citrus From Seed? |
| A |
You can grow Citrus from seed if you have the patience and are willing to wait decades for fruit. Instead of growing from seed, we use grafted cuttings of well-matched proven varieties - combinations that reach maturity and fruitfulness faster.
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| Q | Can I Prune The Thorns On My Citrus Tree? |
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Thorns are removed from rootstocks when citrus trees are propagated. As the young trees grow, it is not unusual to see thorns on the juvenile fruiting (scion) wood. This is a young plant's way of defending against grazing animals. Usually, as the tree matures, thorniness of the fruiting wood decreases. Thorns may be pruned off without harming productive potential. Growth from the rootstock will always tend to be thornier than the fruiting wood. If all of the foliage appears to be thorny, check to be certain that a rootstock sucker has not taken over. All growth below the graft line should be removed. Be sure to keep all rootstock suckers trimmed off as they appear so that the energy essential for fruiting is all directed to the fruiting wood. |
| Q | Can I Use Mulch With My Citrus Tree? |
| A |
For planted trees, liberal use of mulches will conserve precious water and help inhibit weed growth. A 2-3 inch layer of redwood shavings, fir bark, compost, or other organic matter can be very helpful for water retention for a tree planted in the ground. Mulches and coco fiber, fir bark should not be used in a potted tree.
We do not recommend the use of Mulch when you are growing in a container or anything that helps retain moisture for potted trees. Lemon Citrus Tree |
| Q | How do I Pollinate by Hand? |
| A |
Generally, citrus trees (grown indoors or out) are self fruitful and do not require pollination. Some people enjoy pollinating their trees, and this can be done using a small soft brush or cotton swab to transfer the pollen among flowers. Some mandarin varieties are more productive with a pollinator, but the tradeoff is usually more seediness. If you grow two different citrus trees next to each other, fruit may or may not flower concurrently, allowing cross pollination. Regardless of whether pollination occurs, the tree's fruit will be true to variety type.
Lemon Citrus Tree |
| Q | How Do I Protect My Tree From Too Much Heat & Sunburn? |
| A |
In areas where intense sun and heat may scorch your tree, precautions should be taken to reduce damage. Trunks can be wrapped using appropriate materials available at garden supply stores. Another method is to mix a 50:50 solution of white latex paint and water. Use the dilute paint to whitewash trunks and exposed branches. One application is usually sufficient for a summer of sunburn protection. The roots of potted citrus trees may also become overheated due to excessive sun exposure. One solution is to nest the pot into a larger one which will buffer heat on the roots. Whitewashing the pot with white latex may also be a viable solution in certain circumstances. Another solution is to provide afternoon shading in the hottest summer months, using shade cloth or a temporary structure. Lemon Citrus Tree |
| Q | How Do I Select The Best Containers? |
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Overly wet roots are the leading cause of problems of container grown citrus. Many of those problems can be minimized with careful container choices and a moisture meter that can prevent over watering. Lemon Citrus Tree |
| Q | How Do I Transplant My Citrus Tree? |
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When you see roots showing through the drainage holes, then it is time to repot. Put the approximate amount of new soil in the bottom of the new container with 5 or more drainage holes. Put enough new potting soil mix in the bottom of the new pot to raise the top roots to within 1"-2" of the lip of the pot. If you place the tree inside the pot and it falls deep into the new pot, remove the tree and add more soil. NEVER add soil to the top portion of the root crown. If overwatering caused root rot, the roots will be brown and slimy. If so, prune them back to firm, healthy tissue. Make sure you prune an equal part of the foliage when you do root pruning. Lemon Citrus Tree |
| Q | What Are The Best Citrus Varieties For Bonsai? |
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Bonsai is the art of growing miniature tree specimens in very small containers. If you are interested in trying to grow citrus trees in bonsai form it is best to choose varieties that are naturally diminutive. Some good variety choices include those with naturally small leaves and fruit, such as Nagami kumquat, Calamondin & Key Limes. Lemon Citrus Tree |
| Q | What Are The Citrus Heat & Fruit Ripening Requirements? |
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Citrus like sun! At least six hours of full sun per day is required. For best productivity provide 8 or more hours of full sun per day. Of course, the sun is much hotter in some areas than in others, so the overall intensity of the sun will also play a role. As a general rule, sour fruits need less heat to ripen than sweet-fruited varieties. Here are some general guidelines by variety:
Lemon Citrus Tree |
| Q | What Causes Excessive Production Of Blooms & Fruit? |
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Excessive blooming, or the production of many blossoms followed by leaf drop is often a sign of serious stress in citrus trees. A tree that senses that it is "in trouble" will flower and set fruit excessively, its a cry for help. The mass blooming is the tree trying to get your attention so you should always inspect the tree whenever you have a massive bloom. Lemon Citrus Tree |
| Q | Why Are My Lemons And Citrus Fruit Still Green? |
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All Citrus Fruit (Including Meyer Lemons) will be green for about 8-9 months after they bud. Then it will take an additional 2-3 months to fully ripen and turn to their respective color. The Meyer Lemon ripened fruit color of the yellowish/orangish tint happens in the last month of their maturation process. When it has that nice orange tint (that is when they are the sweetest) then it is ready to be harvested. Also, Citrus fruit only ripens on the vine and consequently, if picked still green it will stop the ripening process and will be more sour than normal. Lemon Citrus Tree |
| Q | Why Is My Citrus Fruit Deformed? |
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Deformed fruit can be a sign of citrus bud mite infestation. Lemon trees seem to be particularly susceptible. The original damage occurs when the bud mite feeds on the tiny developing fruit. Damage becomes more obvious as the fruit grows. Citrus bud mite, spider mites, citrus thrips and many other pests can be controlled by spraying light horticultural oil or neem oil before and during bloom times. Lemon Citrus Tree |
| Q | Why Is My Tree Growing Oversized Leaves? |
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If new leaf growth on your tree is much larger than the existing or original foliage, it may need additional sunlight. Trees grown indoors without a bright sunny window/grow lights, or trees grown in shady spots outdoors, will produce larger leaves. An indoor tree may develop larger leaves farther away from the sunshine, you should rotate the tree and provide adequate lighting for the whole tree. Also, check to be sure that a rootstock sucker has not taken over. Often rootstock branches grow more vigorously and have larger leaves than those of the fruiting wood. Be sure to remove all growth below the graft union. Lemon Citrus Tree |
