Citrus Trees

Instructions  How to plant citrus trees:

Plant citrus trees in an area that receives over 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, in well-draining soil. Plant about 10 feet apart for home or high-density orchards. Spacing when planting will affect the overall size and shape of the trees. 

Citrus Tree Planting Directions 

Step 1) Dig a hole twice as wide as the tree's potted container.

Step 2) Mix half the soil removed from the ground with the same amount of planting mix

Step 3) Remove the tree from the pot and place it in the center of the hole with the top of its soil level with the ground or slightly above ground.

Step 4) Backfill the hole with the amended soil and compact

Step 5) Use the remaining soil to create a bermed ring around the tree

Step 6) Topdress with fertilizer

Step 7) Water in the tree

Proper watering is one of the most important factors that determine a citrus tree's overall health and fruit production.

Frequency

Best practices are to provide water once per week in the early spring and then twice per week in late spring. Increase the frequency in the summer and reduce it in the fall and winter. 

Quantity

The amount of water you should provide depends on the tree's size, soil type, and moisture. Generally, a 5-gallon size requires 3-5 gallons of water every irrigation session. 15-gallon sizes need 10-15 gallons of water, and larger trees need more.

Automatic Irrigation

Automatic irrigation systems increase efficiency by ensuring consistent watering times and amounts by reducing operator error. The duration a system should run depends on the flow rate. To determine your flow rate, collect the water over a set timeframe, or use a 2-4 GPM bubbler. Bubblers are very commonly used for fruit trees, but people also use drip and sprinkler systems.

By following these watering instructions, you can help ensure that your fruit trees receive the moisture they need to thrive and produce abundant, healthy fruit.

Fertilizing

Fertilizers are the elemental nutrients citrus trees need to grow and produce fruit.

"NPK" (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) are the 3 macronutrients used most by plants. Numerically represented as a percentage on the fertilizer package label.

Nitrogen is mainly used in growth

 Apply a fertilizer with equal NPK or a higher ratio of Nitrogen to phosphorus and potassium in the spring to promote plant growth. Use a fertilizer with a higher ratio of phosphorus and potassium to nitrogen in the winter or before plants flower to improve yields. Use 8-4-4 every 3 months from spring (March-April) through the fall. Use 3-12-12 Harvest Booster before plants flower or during winter dormancy (December-January). Apply 1 cup (150 grams) for every 1-inch diameter of the trunk, for a 15-gallon size. Apply 2 cups (300 grams) for every 2-inch diameter of the trunk or 25-gallon size. 

To apply fertilizer, till the top layer of the soil to create a ring/berm/wall around the trunk. Spread fertilizer above the roots, avoiding the trunk, and provide water to incorporate the fertilizer into the soil.

Pruning

The size and shape of your citrus trees will depend on the cuts you've made in the past, which will also determine the tree's future growth. To effectively prune your citrus trees, first, you'll need to locate the tree's main trunk starting from the ground and lateral branches. Remove any dry branches, twigs, leaves, suckers, or water sprouts. Try to create an open center and balanced, symmetrical canopy.

You could also "Top" the plant. This is when you cut the main trunk of the plant early on to promote lateral growth instead of vertical growth. This is advantageous for fruit production because it will often provide larger yields.

Harvesting

To harvest the fruits of your labor, use pruning shears or sharp scissors to cut the stem close to the fruit, leaving a small piece of stem attached. Avoid pulling or twisting the fruit, as this can damage the fruit or the tree. Harvest when the fruit is at its peak ripeness, indicated by color and a slight softness to the touch. Most citrus trees produce spring flower blossoms in the late spring, and fruits are ripe in the winter and can stay on the tree into the following spring. Store citrus in a cool, dry place. Some varieties require refrigeration, while others do not.

Instructions on pest management for fruit trees:

• Monitor for Pests:
• Regularly inspect fruit trees for signs of pest infestation, such as chewed leaves, distorted growth, or the presence of insects or larvae.
• Keep an eye out for common fruit tree pests, including aphids, scale insects, mites, caterpillars, and fruit flies.
• Cultural Practices:
• Maintain good cultural practices, such as proper pruning, watering, and fertilizing, to promote healthy, resilient fruit trees that are better able to withstand pest attacks.
• Remove and destroy any fallen fruit, leaves, or other plant debris that may harbor pests or disease pathogens.
• Natural Predators:
• Encourage natural predators of pests, such as ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory wasps, by providing habitat and avoiding the use of broad-spectrum pesticides that may harm beneficial insects.
• Plant flowering plants nearby to attract pollinators and beneficial insects that help control pest populations.
• Physical Barriers:
• Install physical barriers, such as tree wraps or trunk guards, to protect fruit trees from crawling pests like ants and rodents.
• Use floating row covers or netting to exclude flying insects, birds, and other pests from accessing fruit trees.
• Biological Control:
• Consider using biological control methods, such as releasing beneficial nematodes or predatory insects, to target specific pests while minimizing harm to non-target organisms.
• Introduce parasitic wasps, predatory mites, or other natural enemies of pest insects to help control populations without the need for chemical pesticides.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM):
• Implement an integrated pest management (IPM) approach that combines multiple pest control strategies, including cultural, biological, physical, and chemical methods, to effectively manage pest populations while minimizing environmental impact.
• Monitor pest populations regularly and use thresholds to determine when intervention is necessary, prioritizing the use of non-chemical control methods whenever possible.
• Selective Pesticide Use:
• Use chemical pesticides as a last resort and only when non-chemical methods have proven ineffective or when pest populations exceed acceptable thresholds.
• Selectively choose pesticides that are least harmful to beneficial insects, pollinators, and the environment, and follow label instructions carefully to minimize risks to human health and the ecosystem.