Growing Citrus

by Dennis Ting - Gardenworld Nursery

As we come into autumn and the cooler weather this presents an ideal time to plant citrus trees in the home garden.  This weather allows the new plants to put out roots into the surrounding soil and get established before the warmer weather in spring.  This strong root growth is then available to support the trees demands in spring with the heavy leafing out and possible flowering too. 

Citrus deserve more of a place in our gardens as Melbourne's climate has warmed up over the years and winter cold is no longer an issue for most types.  Also our summers have become warmer and longer and citrus thrive in these conditions. 

Currently at Gardenworld we are well stocked with a good range of citrus of all types including lemons, limes (fruiting and Kaffir leaf), oranges, mandarins, kumquats and grapefruit etc.  These are all strong healthy plants either in 20 to 30 cm containers or strong planter bags and well grown.

Types to look out for include the dwarf plants in colourful pots grafted on to a Flying Dragon rootstock which are ideal in containers or in the garden growing only to two metres tall. You will pay more for a plant on Flying Dragon rootstock because it is very slow growing. Also look out for the range of Splitzer Citrus with two types on the one tree!  Fancy a Lemon & Lime or a Lemon and Orange tree or any of the other combinations available!  Last but not least are the dwarf  "Lots A Lemons" or dwarf "Sublimes" which are designed for containers with their compact growth, shiny leaves and heavy crops year after year. Being on their own roots, we recommend growing them in pots only, as they may be disease prone when planted in garden soil.

Remember that a citrus tree will be in the same position for many years and that it requires good sunlight and a bit of shelter from winds.  Good site selection is important to increase growth and reduce the chances of disease and other problems.  Good soil preparation will also pay dividends to the life and productivity of the tree. 

Once established citrus are gross feeders and require regular applications of compost and fertilizer in spring with another lighter application in winter.  Regular feeding with a liquid fertilizer during the warmer months will also act as a tonic and improve the appearance of the tree and crop. 

So how does one go about planting a citrus tree in the ground or in a container? 

For a citrus tree to be planted in the ground ensure that there will be sufficient room for the tree to grow without obstruction (although they do respond to pruning and being kept compact).  Remove any perennial weeds that might be growing and dig a hole twice as wide and twice as deep as the root ball. 

Into the removed soil mix an equal quantity of quality compost such as 'Black Gold' or 'Humus Plus' before refilling the hole you have dug.  This will result in a slight mound for drainage and you ensure that the top of this is around 10 cm above the surrounding soil and create a hole for the pot. (Never just fill a hole completely with compost as you can end up creating a poorly drained sump).   

Carefully remove the container from the plant without damaging the roots and place the plant into the hole.  Now is a good time to place a stake in the ground next to the rootball and tie the plant to it with a soft material for support. 

To help the plant establish you should water in with a product like Plant Starter or Seasol which really helps the new roots to establish.   

Continue to monitor your newly planted citrus tree in coming months and ensure that there is adequate water around the root ball.  Avoid over watering as citrus cannot tolerate wet feet. 

For a citrus tree to be planted in a container the first requirement is a container that will drain well whether plastic or ceramic etc.  The next requirement is to use a suitable long life potting mixture like 'Debco Terracotta and Tub' which only breaks down slowly and contains all the other goodies like a slow release fertilizer and wetting agents and granules. 

You do not need to add any compost or other fertilizer to the potting mix initially as it totally adequate to begin with.

Fill the container to a height that the plant when taken from its container will sit 3 cm below the top of the pot. Carefully remove the plant and place it in the container then continue to fill it to just below the top with potting mix. 

Again water with a product like Plant Starter or Seasol and monitor watering over the coming months. 

For container citrus I recommend a slow release fertilizer in spring and a lighter application in autumn together with a regular feed of liquid fertilizer during the growing season. 

The beauty of container citrus is that you have a portable display plant for the garden that can be brought closer to the house in spring for the smell of the scented blossoms and also in winter when the coloured fruit are a highlight. 

Truly there is nothing more wonderful in the garden that a citrus tree with their glossy leaves year round and the added bounty of fruit in season!!