SUCCESS WITH CITRUSCitrus trees are notoriously difficult trees to grow. If you’ve planted a new citrus tree only to watch it sulk for a year, then die feebly in the ground, don’t despair. You’re not alone.

Citrus trees are the most popular fruit trees in Australia, and one of the most picky groups, so we’ve produced this guide to help you grow healthy productive trees.

This fact sheet answers the most common questions and concerns gardeners have with their citrus, including choosing the right rootstock, planting, feeding and dealing with common pests and diseases.

There’s also a harvest chart so that you can select varieties that will provide you with a year round harvest.

WHAT ARE THE BEST GROWING CONDITIONS?Citrus trees need plenty of sun and good drainage, so a position in full sun in a raised garden bed is ideal.

The roots of citrus grow close to the surface, so it’s best to mulch beneath the tree to avoid competition from other plants or weeds.

Citrus trees are heavy feeders. Fertiliser should be applied monthly to ensure they have nutrients available at all times. Apply blood and bone, dynamic lifter or a citrus fertiliser like Diggers Fruit and Citrus Fertiliser to ensure the ongoing health of your trees.

This should be applied once a month, EVERY month, regardless of the season.

WILL CITRUS GROW IN MY CLIMATE?Citrus will grow in all Australian climates. Use your Heat Zone (HZ) to determine the best varieties for your area. In cold areas, lemon, kumquat, mandarin and pumelo (orange x grapefruit) are ideal. ‘Buddha’s Hand’ only needs a HZ of 3+, while oranges and pink grapefruit do best in areas with a HZ of 4+.

It is advisable to choose plants grafted onto Trifoliata, or its relative ‘Flying Dragon’ for areas that get heavy frost in winter.

See over for more information on rootstocks.

DO I NEED A POLLINATOR?Citrus are self-fertile, so one tree will happily bear fruit with no need for a pollinating companion.

CAN I GROW CITRUS IN A POT?Yes, all citrus grow very well in containers.

For best results your pot needs to be at least 40cm wide and 50cm deep, the bigger the better as this will allow the roots to grow and develop. It will also hold more moisture and nutrients.

Ensure you use a good-quality organic potting mix for edible trees and fertilise regularly. Liquid feeds are also beneficial to potted plants. Don’t use garden soil in pots because drainage will be poor and plants will struggle to thrive.

Every two years you should either pot into a bigger pot or repot into the same pot but trim the roots back by 5 cm, reduce the top growth and repot with fresh potting mix.

© The Diggers Club Pty Ltd

harvest times and usage

citrus Group sep oct nov Dec jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov Dec

Orange

Lemon

Lime

Tangelo

mandarin

Kumquat

Grapefruit

Summer autumn Winterspring spring

shad

e

hedg

e

lunc

hbox

pots

espa

lier

variety

blood orange

Cara Cara

Lane’s late

washington

prior lemon

lisbon

Meyer

lemonade

tahitian

Makrut

fingerLIME

rangpur

minneola

Seminole

satsuma

nagami

Star Ruby

tahitian

Makrut

blood orange

minneola

Seminole

satsuma

nagami

Cara Cara

Lane’s late

washington navel

rangpur

prior lemon

lisbon

MEYER

Star Ruby

PEAK HARVEST SOME FRUIT

lemonade

fingerLIME