Citrus Tree Care
Citrus Trees
What could be better than having your own citrus trees right in your own backyard? Fresh lemons, limes or oranges whenever you want them. Citrus trees are surprisingly versatile plants. With proper citrus tree care, your citrus tree will grow in your yard, in a container on your patio or even indoors—depending on the type of the tree you choose (standard or semi-dwarf). At SummerWinds Nursery, we can teach you everything you need to know about citrus tree care, citrus tree fertilizer, and how to make your trees thrive.
Citrus trees provide plenty of shade from the hot Arizona sun and can also be used as a privacy screen. Wherever you decide to plant your citrus tree, you will want to dig a hole 6 inches wider and 1 inch deeper than the size of the pot. Citrus trees like full sun (8 – 12 hours a day) and do well with a southern exposure. Your trees will do best in frost- and wind-free areas where temperatures are between 55° and 85°F. Choose a light, well-draining soil mix. The best citrus tree fertilizer to use is a slow release, low nitrogen fertilizer. Fertilize your citrus tree every 2 months during its first growing season. After that, you’ll want a citrus tree fertilizer with a 2-1-1 ratio and we recommend that you fertilize 3 times a year—preferably in February, May and October.
Citrus 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 2-3 yr. old tree
Caring For Your Citrus Tree:
- Watering – Citrus trees do well with heavy watering. Avoid watering your tree for just a few minutes every day and instead give them a heavy watering every one to two weeks in the warm summer months and every three to four weeks during the cooler winters.
Soil – When planting your citrus tree combine E.B. Stone Organics Citrus & Palm Potting or Planting Mix with the existing ground soil.- Fertilizing – We recommend fertilizing your citrus trees three times per year. Learn more about when and how to fertilize your citrus trees, and the products we recommend using to produce the healthiest and most delicious fruits!
- Pests & Beneficial Insects – Check your citrus regularly for signs of insect activity, particularly on new growth, blossoms, leaves and developing fruit. Some common citrus pests in Arizona include:
- Aphids – Small, soft-bodied insects that tend to gather on tender new growth and can cause leaves to curl or become distorted. Beneficial insects such as lady beetles and lacewings can help keep aphid populations under control.
- Orange Dog Caterpillars – These distinctive caterpillars are the larvae of the giant swallowtail butterfly and feed on citrus leaves. Established trees can generally tolerate some feeding, but young trees may need closer attention. Caterpillars can be removed by hand when necessary.
- Scale Insects – Scale may appear as small, immobile bumps on leaves, stems or fruit and feeds on plant sap. Beneficial insects can help provide natural control.
- Citrus Peelminer – The larvae of a small moth, citrus peelminers tunnel just beneath the surface of citrus fruit, leaving winding trails in the peel. Damage is generally cosmetic and does not typically affect the fruit inside.
- Whiteflies – These small, flying insects feed on plant sap and are often found on the undersides of leaves. Heavy populations can produce sticky honeydew and contribute to sooty mold.
- Thrips – Tiny insects that may feed on citrus blossoms, tender new growth and young fruit. Citrus thrips can cause scarring on developing fruit.
- Citrus Mites – These tiny pests can be difficult to see without magnification and may cause stippling, discoloration or other damage to leaves and fruit.
Don't forget the beneficial insects! Lady beetles, lacewings and other beneficial insects are frequently found around citrus trees and can help naturally manage pest populations. Before treating for insects, identify what you're seeing and determine whether treatment is necessary.
If pest problems become significant, products such as Captain Jack's Fruit Tree Spray Concentrate from Bonide may be appropriate for certain listed citrus pests. Always identify the pest first and follow all product label directions, including temperature restrictions, application timing and pre-harvest requirements.
- Suckering– It is important to remove the tree suckers as soon as possible. These new growths take energy away from the healthy branches on the top of the tree. To remove a sucker, find the graft on your citrus tree. This is usually 4 to 12 inches above the soil line and looks like a horizontal or vertical ‘V’. You will also notice an obvious change in the bark of the tree. Remove any growth below the graft.
- Pruning – Pruning can be done anytime of the year, except during the winter months. During the first year, it is best to pinch off blooms to allow the tree to mature before producing fruit. You can also pinch back tips of new growth to encourage branching. You can prune your citrus tree to any desired shape and height.
- Thorns – Some citrus varieties naturally have thorns, particularly limes and some lemons, and thorns may be more noticeable on young, vigorous growth. If you see especially vigorous, thorny shoots growing from below the graft union, they may be rootstock suckers and should be removed. Thorns on the desired citrus variety can be carefully pruned if needed for safety or easier access to the tree.
- Sunburn & More – To help protect your young citrus trees, you can use special paint products designed to protect against sunburn, winter sunscald, insects, and diseases.
Click the buttons below to learn more about citrus:
Growing Citrus in Containers Citrus Feeding Time
