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