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Planting Fruitful Citrus Trees!
In Florida, it’s a common joy for homeowners to pick citrus fruits right from their own back yard. But the types of citrus you can grow depend on where exactly you live in our sunny state. Since citrus is subtropical fruit, it does best in areas that don’t often dip below freezing temperatures, like ours!
You need to think about a few things to make sure your citrus trees thrive. This includes where you plant them, which variety you choose, and how you care for them. They also need the right amount of water and fertilizer. And weeds must be kept at bay, and pests need to be managed.
Planting & Care for Your Citrus Plants
Citrus trees are pretty tolerant of a bit of shade. But if you want them to really thrive and be super productive, they’ll need plenty of sunlight. When you’re planting them, make sure to give each tree some breathing room, with at least 15 feet between them. And watch out for those power lines, buildings, septic tanks and drain fields—citrus trees don’t mix well with those.
When your trees are young, they’ll need regular watering until they’re established. Keep an eye out for any suckers that sprout from the base of the tree and git rid of them. They’ll just get in the way of your tree’s growth. Generally, mature citrus trees don’t need much pruning, unless there’s some serious disease or freeze damage to deal with. Over-pruning can actually reduce how much fruit your tree produces so it’s best to keep it to a minimum.
When it comes to fertilizer, young trees benefit from regular, light doses throughout the growing season to encourage healthy growth. Once your tree is a few years old, you’ll want to give it some extra nutrients. This is to replace the nutrients it’s using up to produce fruit. Look for a fertilizer specifically made for citrus trees like Citrus-Tone from Espoma. Spread the fertilizer in a circle around the tree. Start from the trunk and go all the way to the edge of the canopy, or even a bit beyond. Make sure to spread it evenly and never pile it up against the trunk.
Container Growing Your Citrus Trees
Even if you don’t have a lot of space or the perfect climate, you can still enjoy growing citrus by planting them in containers. Limes, lemons, and kumquats are great choices for container growing. One big perk of container gardening is that you can easily move your citrus trees inside when the weather gets cold. This will protect them from freezes.
When it comes to containers, you can use plastic, metal, wood—whatever you have on hand. Just make sure it’s big enough for the plant and has good drainage. A pot that’s around fifteen inches wide and deep is a good starting point for a young tree.
Most well-drained potting soils work well for citrus, but some varieties prefer more acidic soil. Place your container in a spot where the tree will get plenty of sunlight. Water your tree only when the top inch or two of the soil feels dry to the touch. Then water it thoroughly. As for pruning, your tree won’t need much, just the occasional trim to remove any stray branches or lower limbs.
Picking your Citrus Fruit!
In January, you’ll find a bunch of citrus varieties ready for harvest. These include navel oranges, Satsuma tangerines, and Ruby Red grapefruits. A little research will help you figure out the perfect time to pick other types of citrus.
When it’s time to harvest, just give the fruit a gently pull-snap- twist, and they should come off easily. But here’s a tip: before you harvest the whole tree, taste-test a fruit or two to make sure they’re perfectly ripe. Unlike some fruits, citrus won’t ripen any further once they’re picked. When you’re ready to enjoy your citrus, give them a wash, but only right before you eat them. Washing them too soon can remove their natural wax and make them dry out faster.
Here’s a cool thing about citrus. You can actually leave ripe fruit on the tree for a few months, and they often get even sweeter. This way you can enjoy your homegrown citrus for an extended period!
Oranges
Navel oranges are a top pick among citrus lovers since they’re perfect for both snacking and juicing. If you’re all about fresh-squeezed, Hamlin trees are you go-to, as they yield a bounty of oranges ideal for juicing. Valencias, on the other hand, are prized for their sweet vibrant-orange juice. This has earned them the title of “king” among juice oranges in Florida. Something a bit different but equally delicious, are the Temple orange or the honey tangerine, also known as the Murcott. These are delightful hybrids that blend the best of tangerines and sweet oranges.
Tangelos
Tangelos are like the sweet, juicy mix of a tangerine and a grapefruit—a tasty hybrid that brings the best of both worlds. You’ll usually find two main varieties: Orlando and Minneola, which some folks affectionately call “Honeybells”. One of the neat things about tangelos is that they can handle a bit of chill. This makes them a good fit for lots of different parts of Florida. Just keep in mind that these trees can get pretty big, so make sure they have plenty of space.
Here’s a handy tip. Tangelos aren’t the best at pollinating themselves, so having another citrus buddy nearby can really boost your fruit yield. Look for compatible trees like Temple, Sunburst, or Fallglo to help with pollination. This will help ensure you get plenty of delicious tangelos.
Lemons & Limes
Lemons and limes fall into the acid citrus group. This means their juice is super tangy (they have the lowest pH of all citrus fruits). These acid fruits are not big fans of the cold, so they do best in the warmer spots.
Now here’s a cool exception: the Meyer lemon is a bit more chill-resistant compared to other acid citrus fruits. So, you can actually grow it throughout the state. These lemons are big and ripen from November to March, giving you a nice, long harvest window. Plus, the Meyer lemon tree has a bushy growth habit. This makes it a great candidate for container growing if space is tight.
Kumquats
Kumquats are these adorable little orange fruits with a flavor that’s a delightful mix of sweet and tart. They’re a bit unique in the citrus world. You’re actually supposed to eat the whole thing, peel and all, kind of like you would with a grape. Pretty cool, right?
These little guys are champs when it comes to the cold, so you can grow them all over our area without any worries. The two most popular varieties you’ll come across are Nagami and Meiwa, both of which are known for their deliciousness.
If you have any questions about citrus fruits we’ll be happy to answer them. Contact us here.