Citrus Trees

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How to Care for Citrus Trees Plant your citrus tree in full sun and well drained soil. These trees prefer humid environments, but like their roots like to dry out between waterings. Whether in a container or the ground, water when the soil has dried out down to about 2 inches and be sure your plant is not sitting in water. Fertilize with our balanced slow release fertilizer when planting and in early spring and late summer. Prune anytime for shape and size maintenance. Our citrus plants grow in zones 8b to 11 in the ground. Otherwise they must be grown in containers and protected during the winter. Citrus plants are naturally pest and disease resistant so enjoy homegrown fruit with ease! When to Prune Citrus Trees Citrus trees can be pruned at any time, but pruning after the fall or winter harvest is ideal. However, it is easy to see emerging flower buds so you are unlikely to accidentally prune any off if you choose to prune at another time. Dead, broken or diseased branches should be pruned back when you notice them. How to Prune Citrus Trees Use sterilized pruners to prune your citrus tree. Remove any unhealthy or broken branches. If the canopy is very dense or there are crowded branches, open up the canopy with a few choice cuts. Avoid pruning back more than ⅓ of your citrus tree at a time. How to Plant Citrus Trees Water your potted citrus tree thoroughly before planting. Dig a hole about twice as wide and almost as deep as the root ball of your new plant. Place your citrus tree in the hole, ensuring that it is straight. The top of the root ball should be slightly higher than the existing soil line. Backfill with soil. Water deeply until the water begins to pool. Apply 1 to 2 inches of mulch in a mound around your citrus tree to reduce watering needs, retain soil moisture, and reduce weeds. Water deeply daily for the first week, 3 times per week for the following couple weeks, and 1 to 2 times per week for the next 2 months or so until your citrus tree is estab