Paradise Nursery Citrus Tree Care Guide
Welcome to your ultimate guide for growing healthy, prolific citrus trees in Southern California! By following these expert steps tailored for our local climate, your trees will establish flawlessly and reward you with abundant, sweet harvests year after year. 
☀️ 1. Location & Sunlight
Citrus trees rely on direct sunlight to maximize fruit sweetness. 
  • Sunlight Exposure: Provide 6 to 8 hours of full, direct sunlight daily, ideally in a warm spot with a southern exposure.
  • Spacing: Space trees 10 to 15 feet apart for high-density planting. Standard varieties can exceed 20 feet but can be pruned to a manageable 9 to 15 feet. 
🌱 2. Soil & Planting Preparation
Citrus roots need rich soil and proper drainage to prevent root rot from "wet feet".
  • Hole & Backfill: Dig a hole as deep as the root system and twice as wide, backfilling with native soil mixed with quality planting mix, washed sand, and organic fertilizer.
  • Graft Point & Basin: Keep the graft point above ground level and build a shallow watering basin around the drip line.
💧 3. Watering Schedule
Adjust watering based on weather, wind, humidity, and soil type. 
  • Spring & Summer: Water deeply 2 to 3 times per week during peak growth.
  • Winter & New Trees: Scale back irrigation during cool, rainy winter months, while new trees require deep watering 1 to 2 times a week as they establish.
🧪 4. Fertilization & Nutrition
As heavy feeders, citrus trees need regular seasonal nutrition. 
  • Feeding Schedule: Apply quality citrus fertilizer primarily during Spring and Summer.
  • Micronutrients: Address yellowing leaves with green veins (indicating iron deficiency) promptly with an iron-rich liquid fertilizer. 
✂️ 5. Pruning & Maintenance
Strategic pruning enhances airflow, sun penetration, and overall health.
  • Pruning Schedule: Perform structural pruning in Winter to remove dead or crowded branches, and thin heavy fruit clusters during Spring and Summer.
  • Trunk Care: Protect young trunks from sunscald and pests using organic whitewash or diluted trunk paint. 
🏢 Need Professional Assistance?
For hands-on help, Paradise Nursery provides home orchard services across Los Angeles County. 
To help me customize this for your specific setup, please tell me:
  • Are you planting in-ground or using containers/pots?
  • What specific citrus varieties are you growing (e.g., Meyer Lemon, Valencia Orange, Eureka)?
  • Are you dealing with any current issues like yellowing leaves or pests?