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Citrus
As well as a chook yard, at one time every home had several fruit trees that provided the family with ample fresh fruit in season.
There was usually even enough fruit for preserving some to tide the household over until the following summer. Unfortunately, as lifestyles get busier and sections get smaller, the orchard is the first thing to go. However, whether in a pot or the garden, there is always space for a lemon tree or two.
Citrus are easy to grow. Most of today’s varieties are on dwarf rootstock which means they do not grow to unmanageable heights and are well suited to our smaller gardens. Not only are citrus valuable for their juicy fruit which ripens in winter, they are also attractive evergreen shrubs with sweetly scented fragrant flowers in spring.
The most commonly grown citrus are oranges, lemons, grapefruit, mandarins, limes and ornamental kumquats. They require a warm, sunny, sheltered position, and protection from winter frost. Citrus adapt well to most soils with the exception of clay – even then, they will succeed if planted into raised beds enriched with generous quantities of peat, compost or well-rotted organic material.
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Planting Citrus
Autumn and spring are the most favourable times to plant so that trees are established before the summer heat or cool winter temperatures. Protect young trees from frost using frost cloth or scrim. Dig the planting hole 20-30cm bigger than the root-ball and mix in plenty of peat, compost or well-rotted organic material to the planting hole. Do not add fertiliser at planting time, but wait until the tree starts actively growing in spring. Feed citrus trees three times a year – in spring, early summer and early autumn. Use a specially blended citrus fertiliser or general garden fertiliser.
Watering
Water regularly, especially around flowering and fruit set. Mulch trees in spring and again in late summer. Mulching will help retain soil moisture and prevent drying out which can lead to premature fruit drop. It is common for a certain amount of flower and fruit drop to occur when trees put on a growth spurt in periods of warm temperatures and high rainfall.
Pruning
Flowers and fruit form on the current season’s growth, along each branch. Pruning is not usually required, but trees will benefit from a light trim after fruiting has finished. This is best done in spring so that the new growth is hardened off before winter. In temperate regions, pruning can be done at any time of the year. Light pruning is best. To regenerate woody, straggly growth, cut back to the main branches in spring. It is likely that a tree pruned back hard will not fruit for two seasons. Some mandarin varieties will cease fruiting if not pruned. Cover all pruning wounds with Bacseal pruning paste or water based paint to prevent lemon tree borer finding an easy entry into your citrus.
Remove any shoots that sprout from below the graft, as this is the rootstock. It is distinctly different, being dark green and thorny and if left unchecked will eventually take over.
Growing Citrus in Pots
Almost all citrus will fruit when grown in pots. Lemons and limes grow and fruit extremely well. Kumquats are especially good for containers, as their small ornamental fruit look spectacular when ripe. Oranges will grow and fruit in large pots but do not fruit as prolifically as they would in the garden. Grapefruit crop very poorly when grown in pots.
Use a quality potting mix that contains a controlled release fertiliser and preferably a wetting agent such as Saturaid, and water storage granules. Regular watering is important. Feed established trees in early spring and late summer with a controlled release fertiliser such as Osmocote. Liquid feed every fortnight in spring and summer with Thrive Flower and Fruit. Trees can remain in the same pot for several seasons before repotting into fresh potting mix as long as trees are regularly fed.
Pest and Disease Control
Spray citrus with Champ DP in spring at petal fall and again 2-3 weeks later as a preventative for veruccosis or scab. Veruccosis appears as scabby, wart-like growths on the fruit, leaves and stems. While it does not affect the taste of the fruit, it has an unsightly appearance. Apply Conqueror Oil in winter to control over-wintering mites, mealy bug or scale insect. Spray trees with Mavrik to control mites and aphids. Mix Mavrik with Conqueror Oil at summer strength for mealy bug and scale insect. Citrus can become covered in a black sooty mould when sucking insects such as aphids, mealy bug and scale insect become a problem. Sucking insects exude honey-dew that the mould thrives upon. Spray with Orthene or Mavrik to control the insect pests and the sooty mould will go away.
Some useful varieties to plant
Lemons
Meyer Lemon is the most popular variety for the home gardener. In favourable conditions, it can fruit year round. Great in patio pots.
Lisbon lemon is a large growing tree, heavy cropping with year-round fruit in favourable conditions.
Lemonade lemon is a novelty variety which has a mild flavour and can be eaten like an orange straight off the tree.
Oranges
Washington Navel is a seedless variety with a rich juicy flavour.
Valencia a popular variety with good flavour and very juicy fruit.
Carter’s Navel, an off-shoot of Washington Navel, is early ripening with a good flavour.
Mandarins
Clementine, the most popular variety, has very sweet fruit early in the season (July onwards). It does well in cooler climates.
Satsuma is an excellent container specimen. Its seedless sweet juicy fruit is very easy to peel.
Encore is a very sweet, juicy, easy peel variety. Very heavy cropper.
Grapefruit
Wheeny is a popular variety producing medium sized thin-skinned fruit from October onwards. Very juicy.
Golden Special is tolerant of cooler growing conditions. It is a heavy cropper and is seedless unless other citrus are grown in close proximity. Fruits July onwards.
Kumquat
Great ornamental value. The best citrus for container gardening. The small oval bright orange fruit makes good marmalade. Use the skin for candied peel.
Limes
Tahitian Limes are not as cold tolerant as other citrus varieties. Grows best in mild climates. A lovely neat, tree with hardly any thorns. The fruit turn a pale yellow-green colour when ready for harvest.
Kaffir Lime, not grown for its fruit but its leaves are used in Asian cooking.
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