3 BIG Mistakes Gardeners Make Growing CITRUS Trees

Summary

In this video, the gardener highlights three common mistakes made when growing citrus trees: improper fertilization, ineffective pruning, and neglecting fruit thinning. Unlike deciduous fruit trees, citrus trees require regular fertilization throughout the year to ensure healthy growth, especially during the fall and winter when they are ripening fruits. Pruning is also essential to encourage new fruiting wood for better yields, and thinning fruit prevents overbearing, ensuring high-quality fruit. Following these key practices will lead to more consistent, productive harvests. The video ends with a lighthearted moment, featuring a gator sighting near the pond.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fertilize citrus trees consistently year-round, especially in the fall and winter when they are ripening fruit, to avoid nutrient depletion.
• 😀 Citrus trees are evergreen and grow all year, unlike deciduous fruit trees that go dormant, meaning they require ongoing nutrition.
• 😀 Use a balanced, organic fertilizer like 555 every three months for citrus trees, both in the ground and in containers.
• 😀 Citrus trees in containers are especially vulnerable to nutrient depletion because they lack the ability to search for additional resources.
• 😀 Prune citrus trees properly to encourage new fruit-bearing wood by cutting away old, non-productive branches.
• 😀 Pruning stimulates growth and increases yields; aim to remove about 25-33% of the tree’s volume each year.
• 😀 Trees like satsumas should be pruned in late fall or early winter after harvest, while varieties like blood oranges require more careful pruning timing.
• 😀 Key lime trees have an ever-bearing pattern, so pruning and shaping should be done after each fruiting cycle to promote further growth.
• 😀 Young citrus trees can experience overbearing, leading to poor fruit quality and the risk of an alternate bearing cycle, where the tree fruits heavily one year and sparsely the next.
• 😀 To avoid overbearing, thin the fruit on younger citrus trees to ensure better fruit quality and prevent strain on the tree.

Q & A

What is the first big mistake gardeners make when growing citrus?

The first big mistake is not fertilizing citrus trees properly and at the right times of the year. Unlike deciduous fruit trees, citrus trees are evergreen and continue to grow and ripen fruit throughout fall and winter, so they need regular feeding during this period to prevent nutrient depletion.

Why do citrus trees need different fertilizing schedules compared to deciduous fruit trees?

Citrus trees do not go dormant in winter like deciduous trees. Instead, they continue to grow and ripen fruit, which means they require ongoing nutrients throughout the colder months. Deciduous trees, on the other hand, use stored nutrients during their dormancy and don't need fertilizing in winter.

How often should you fertilize citrus trees, and what type of fertilizer is recommended?

Citrus trees should be fertilized every three months, year-round. A balanced, organic fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (like 555) is ideal to maintain healthy growth and fruit production.

What makes growing citrus in containers more challenging when it comes to fertilization?

Citrus trees in containers are limited to the nutrients available in the potting mix. Without regular replenishment of nutrients, these trees can underperform and may eventually wither. It’s important to follow a consistent fertilizing schedule year-round, regardless of season.

What is 'tip pruning,' and why is it important for citrus trees?

Tip pruning is the process of cutting back the tips of branches to encourage new growth. This is crucial for citrus trees as it promotes the development of new fruiting wood, which is necessary for higher fruit yields.

How does pruning contribute to better fruit production in citrus trees?

Pruning removes old, non-fruiting wood and stimulates new growth, which leads to the development of fruiting wood. This helps increase the overall fruit yield because more branches will be available to produce fruit.

When is the best time to prune citrus trees, and does it vary by variety?

The best time to prune citrus trees depends on the variety. For example, trees like satsumas can be pruned in December after harvest, while others like blood oranges should be pruned lightly throughout the year to avoid damaging fruiting wood. Always prune after harvest to avoid interfering with the next flowering cycle.

How much of a citrus tree should be pruned each season?

It’s recommended to prune about 25 to 33 percent of the tree's overall volume each season. This helps stimulate growth without over-stressing the tree. Over-pruning can harm the tree and reduce fruit production.

What is the problem with young citrus trees overbearing fruit?

Young citrus trees, especially grafted ones, often bear more fruit than they can handle, leading to smaller, poor-quality fruit and potential damage to the tree. Overbearing can also lead to alternate bearing cycles, where the tree produces little or no fruit the following year as it recovers from the stress.

How can gardeners prevent young citrus trees from overbearing?

Gardeners should thin the fruit on young citrus trees to reduce the load. This will prevent the tree from being overwhelmed, leading to better fruit quality and a more consistent fruiting pattern.