Citrus Tree Care and Facts

Orange tree with lots of ripe oranges hanging and ready to be picked

Citrus Tree Care & Facts

Imagine walking outside and picking a fresh lemon from your very own citrus trees. There is nothing better than fresh citrus and with a little help from SummerWinds Nursery, you can have citrus trees growing in your yard in no time. Caring for citrus trees is easy. All you need is the correct citrus tree fertilizer and a little knowledge about planting citrus trees and pruning citrus trees and you can have fresh lemons, limes and oranges growing in your yard or on your patio.

These versatile trees are suited to grow in your yard or even in a container on your patio. In addition to providing fresh fruit, citrus trees can also be used for added privacy and to provide shade.

Plant Facts:

  • Type: Perennials
  • Sun-Shade: Full Sun (8 - 12 hours a day)
  • Soil Condition: Light, well-draining soil mix
  • Water: Water to keep soil moist, about once a week
  • Pot Size: 10"-16" pot for 2 to 3 years. old

Planting Citrus Trees

When planting your citrus tree, dig a hole that is twice the width of the container and the same height as the container. To avoid crown or root rot, be sure you don’t bury the crown or graft.

4 lb. box of e.b. stone organics citrus and fruit tree food or fertilizer

Fertilizing Citrus Trees

Fertilize your trees at the same time every year and use a fertilizer that has a ratio of at least 2-1-1 (N:P:K). In some areas you will also want to include iron, zinc and manganese in your fertilizer. The experts at SummerWinds nursery can help you select the best fertilizer for your citrus trees.

Caring for Citrus Trees

Watering: Water heavily every one to two weeks during the summer months and every three to four weeks during the winter months. Opt for heavy regular watering rather than short periods every day.

eb stone organics citrus and palm soil

Soil - Blend E.B Stone Organics Citrus & Palm Potting Soil with the ground soil when planting citrus trees.

Suckering - Suckers divert energy from healthy branches and should be removed as soon as possible. To do this, find the graft on your citrus tree and remove any growth below that point.

Thorns – Thorns do not cause any harm to the tree or fruit production. They are usually found only on young citrus trees and can be removed if you find them bothersome.

Pruning Citrus Trees

Pruning Citrus Trees

Regardless of the variety of citrus trees or if you planted in a container or the ground, the pruning process is the same. Pruning can be done in any season except winter and the trees can be pruned to any desired height or shape. To optimize fruit production, pinch off blooms during the first year allowing the tree to become more established before producing fruit.

Insects
Generally harmless, common insects attracted to citrus trees are lady beetles, lacewings and praying mantis.

bonide captain jacks fruit tree spray concentrate

On-Going Maintenance

Captain Jack's Fruit Tree Spray

  • 2-in-1, insect and disease protection for fruit trees
  • Controls Apple Maggots, Codling Moths and Apple Scab
  • Use on apples, cherries, grapes, peaches and more
  • Also for use on strawberries

The experts at SummerWinds Nursery can help you select the best citrus trees for your location and answer any questions about fertilizing or care. In no time at all, you will be picking fresh lemons, limes or oranges from your own yard. At SummerWinds Nursery, we guarantee success!

Citrus Tree Varieties