GREENGOLD GARDEN CONCEPTS
CARE AND MAINTENANCE NOTES

CITRUS

Oranges and Lemons say the bells of St Clements, You owe me five farthings say the bells of St Martins,

When will you pay me say the bells of Old Bailey, When I grow rich, say the bells of Shoreditch,    

Pray when will that be, say the bells of Stepney,   I'm sure I don't know, says the great bell at Bow.....

                                                                                                                Old Nursery Rhyme.

An essential element for an Australian "Backyard" is at least one variety of citrus tree. Not only is the home gardener benefiting from a very desirable fruit tree, but the citrus trees themselves are highly decorative all year round. They have attractive dark shiny foliage, fragrantly scented white blossom, and then fruit in shades of orange and yellow. In most cases these fruit are edible.

Citrus are such a wonderfully versatile fruiting family of trees, it is hard to know quite which ones to plant ! Usually people settle on a Lemon as their first choice, as it is the most versatile. Whatever variety you select, please follow these simple tips noted here, and you should have great success growing citrus trees in your "backyard".

POSITION - The best site for citrus is in a hot, sunny spot, preferably sheltered from strong winds. Excellent drainage is essential, as they do not like waterlogged roots. Plant on a slightly raised mound if there is a drainage problem. A position protected from winds and heavy frost, in full sun, is the best. Citrus in half sun will not bear as much fruit, and the tree will be susceptible to opportune insect and disease.

PLANTING - Generally citrus can be planted all year round, except in colder regions where it is best to avoid planting in the Winter months. Dig a large hole and incorporate a generous amount of GreenGold Planting Compost. If there is clay, remove as much as possible, dig deeper than required and add gypsum at the bottom of the hole. Pour in a bucket of water and check that it drains away fairly quickly. If the water sits for a while, you MUST improve the drainage prior to planting. Set the plant in the hole so that it's soil is at the same level as the surrounding soil; firm in and water well. Treat the soil with a solution of GreenGold Plant Starter which will help settle the plant in and promote strong root growth. Do not fertilise until the citrus tree has been in the ground for a few months. If the plant has fruit on it, it is best to remove them, so that all the energy goes into growing a strong tree.

FEEDING AND WATERING -Never fertilise close in to the trunk of the citrus tree - spread the fertiliser out to the drip line of the tree. Keep the ground around clear of all plants. Use GreenGold Fruit and Citrus Food in Spring, and then a follow up in mid to late Summer. Water in the fertiliser well. A mulch of cow manure in Autumn is beneficial, and also a surface mulch of chopped Lucerne added after each application of fertiliser will ensure that moisture is retained in the soil. Remember that Lucerne is a most important product - it adds nitrogen to the soil, promotes worm activity, helps keep weeds down, retains moisture and eventually breaks down to a wonderful compost.

Don't cultivate around citrus trees, as they have feeder roots close to the surface. Water well during the Summer months - a long deep soaking once or twice a week is preferable to short daily sprays. Ensure the plants get plenty Of regular soakings when they are in fruit.

PRUNING - This is generally done when all danger of frost is past, and the weather is warming up. Keep the centre of the tree open and airy, for the general good health of the plant; otherwise just remove the weak straggly growth and diseased limbs. Make sure that the newly cut areas are treated with BACSEAL to prevent any future damage.

HARVESTING -It is best to remove most of the fruit for the first two or three years. This will enable the citrus tree to establish itself well; after that then let it hear it's crop fully.

CITRUS IN TUBS -Any variety may be grown in a tub, providing the container is a decent size. Generally, Cumquats/Calamondins are well suited as are Meyer Lemons, and Lime trees.

Once the plant has grown itself into, the largest size tub you can manage, consideration should be given to future root pruning every few years, otherwise the aging citrus tree will deteriorate.

Citrus in tubs require more care - i.e. more watering and more frequent fertilising. As the plants become more 'pot bound', regular doses of Seasol will he beneficial.

PROBLEMS.

YELLOWING LEAVES - This can he caused by mineral deficiencies in the soil, if there is a continued distinctive pattern of yellowing on the leaves. The common deficiencies are either Zinc or Manganese which cause mottling of the foliagc. Bring a sample in to your GreenGold Garden Centre for further advice and treatment.

Foliage may be yellowish during Winter or after a heavy cropping of fruit; this is not uncommon. Correct with fertilising in Spring. Yellowing leaves can sometimes occur if the ground is too wet. If it is, drainage MUST be improved or the tree will never grow well.

BRONZE ORANGE BUG (BOB) - Or commonly called the 'Stink Bug'. This develops into a large flat ugly beetle about the size of a 10 cent piece. It sucks sap from foliage and emits a disgusting odor when touched or alarmed. It is best not to venture too close to these bugs as the secretion they squirt can cause temporary blindness in the eyes, allergy reaction on the skin, and at very best, an unpleasantly smelling discoloration of your skin for some time, if they squirt you. If you must pick them off wear gloves and protective spectacles. Much better to spray with BAYTHROID. Active in the warm months.

CITRUS LEAF MINER - Squiggly lines on distorted and twisted new growth in late Summer and Autumn, can make the tree look dreadful. Spray with Pest Oil from mid-Spring onwards as a prevention. This oil is also excellent for Aphid and Scale control.

FRUIT FLY -If this pest is a problem, control with Confidor or Lebaycid. Ask for further advice regarding Fruit Fly control.

FRUIT FALL WHEN SMALL -This could be the plant is too young to cope with the large quantities of fruit, or else the tree is getting insufficient and irregular amounts of water.

LEAF DROP -Many reasons, but mainly due to inadequate watering, poor drainage which results in 'wet feet', and malnourished trees.

WHITE LOUSE SCALE on the trunk and limbs can only be controlled with LIME SULFUR - (white oil is ineffective against this scale.)

VARIETIES

ORANGES -Seedless Valencia - the best for the home garden. Thin skinned and juicy. Heavy fruiting in Spring and Summer.

Washington Navel - Large, juicy and seedless, fruiting in Winter and Spring.

Plant one of each for an extended fruiting season.

LEMONS -Eureka is by far the biggest seller as it fruits almost all the year round. Large rough fruit, almost thornless and ideal for warmer areas.

Meyer - a good lemon for cooler areas, growing smaller and suitable for large tubs. Smooth and thin skinned with an orange color.

Lisbon - this is a thornym lemon bearing large thin skinned fruit from Winter onwards.

Lemonade - this one can be peeled and eaten raw as it has a delicious sweet lemon flavor. Makes a great drink, fruits all year.

LIMES-Tahitian - very popular, bearing small rich flavored round fruit with some seeds. Most fruit in Autumn. Small tree.

Kaffir Lime - is grown specially for the leaves which are used extensively in Thai cooking. Unusually shaped foliage, and VERY thorny.

GRAPEFRUIT -Marsh's Seedless - large almost seedless fruit with excellent flavor. Crops in Winter/Spring.

Wheeny - this variety is ideal for cooler climates, with very large and juicy fruit. Rather a lot of seeds. Crops late Spring to early Autumn.

MANDARINS -Emperor - this is large, loose skinned, with sweet and juicy fruit ripening in Winter. About the most popular of the mandarins.

Ellendale - this ripens after the Emperor, with large well flavored fruit, though rather seedy !

CUMQUATS -Calamondin/Marumi - round very decorative fruit. Use for preserves. Ideal grown in tubs. Variegated foliage variety available.

Nagami - oval shaped fruit. slightly smaller fruit than the others. Ideal as a tub plant. Preserve the fruit.

** PLEASE NOTE ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS ON THE CHEMICALS, AND WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AT ALL TIMES**.