AZ Citrus

Time 2020-10-17 13:05:19

Web Name: AZ Citrus

WebSite: http://azcitrus.com

ID:85061

Keywords:

AZ,Citrus,citrus,Arizona,Maricopa,Phoenix,gardening,fruit,orange,grapefruit,tang

Description:

Most citrus will grow here. The most commonly grown varieties are eating oranges (navels), juice oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit. Lemons and limes aren't far behind, but are more frost sensitive. There are some citrus types, like blood oranges and some tangerines, that like a cooler climate and are seldom grown here. But even they can be grown here.If your timing is right, the Arizona Cooperative Extension citrus dayis the best deal going. This is a one day event held in the spring, thatincludes a citrus tasting. The Cooperative Extension brings in 30 or moretypes of citrus from their own trees grown in Arizona. You get to see themand taste them.Back to top of pageFirst choice is a nursery that emphasizes citrus. They will have a biggerselection than other retailers. Greenfield’s and Whitfill are two localnurseries with good reputations for citrus.There is nothing wrong with the trees from home improvement stores either.They are good quality trees that will do well in this area.Starting a citrus tree from the seeds of a fruit you like may be fun, but it won't result in a high quality tree. Back to top of pageCitrus can be planted year round, but the best the best months are March,April, and October.The smaller the tree the easier it is to plant and the less risk youwill have of transplant shock problems. Small trees means 15 gallon containersor smaller.Dig a hole twice the diameter of your container and the same depth.Digging down lower to soften the soil is not recommended. The key pointon the depth of the hole is that you want the soil level on the trunk ofthe tree to be the same or slightly lower as it is in the container. Havingthe soil level end up higher on the tree trunk is a disease risk.The tree in the container needs to be reasonably damp so the root ballwill hold together on its own. Remove the tree from the container and placeit in the hole. Now stick the end of your garden hose down in the hole.Next put the dirt back in the hole.Turn the hose on slowly and wait for the hole to fill with water.Probably some of the dirt will cave in as air pockets in the soil are forcedout by the water. Add more soil as needed to fill the hole completely.There are various chemical products available to minimize transplantshock. They aren't necessary, but use them if you like.Back to top of pageCitrus trees do best if they are heavily watered, and then given time todry out between waterings. How frequently to water varies a lot dependingon your local soil. Trees in rocky or sandy soil will need to be wateredmore often than those in soil that has a lot of clay.Typically trees will need to be watered every one to two weeks in thesummer, and every three to four weeks in the winter.You need to check your individual soil for moisture content before determining your personal water schedule. If the top few inches have thoroughly driedout, then its time to water again. Try digging down a few inches or insertingone of those soil moisture meters, or inserting a screwdriver in the soilto test for moisture.If you like the sound of the screwdriver test, then you are probablya guy. Unfortunately only women who bake have the right skills to use thistest. It is very similar to sticking a straw in a cake to see if its donebaking. The idea is the screwdriver will come out of the ground clean ifthe soil is dry. If the soil is still damp then some soil will stick tothe screwdriver.Watering your trees for a few minutes every few days is not acceptable.It causes salt build up in the soil and is an ideal environment for rootrot diseases.Back to top of pageCitrus should be fertilized in February, May, and early October. The bestfertilizer to use is one that says it is for fruit and nut trees righton the bag. You'll have to read the instructions on the bag to determinehow much to use, because they are all different. Typically its the amount you can hold in a closed hand for a small tree, up to 2 cups for a large tree.You can take the same total amount of fertilizer recommended for threeapplications and split it up into nine applications for every month fromFebruary to October. Nine light regular applications promotes better tree growth, expecially for young trees.Do not fertilize after October. It encourages the tree to start new tendergrowth during the winter when there is danger of frost.Back to top of pagePruning citrus is completely unnecessary. The trees will grow best if theyaren't pruned and are allowed to grow as big bushes with branches almostto the ground.If you want to trim the trees for appearance then make sure your pruningdoesn't leave the trunk or major branches exposed to direct sunlight. Citrustree trunks will sunburn. That's why you see the trunks of citrus treespainted white. The white paint acts as sun tan lotion for trunks that aredirectly exposed to the sun.Back to top of pageHelpful Links http://www.greenfieldcitrus.com-- Greenfield Citrus site, includes citrus care information. http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/crops/az1007-- Arizona Cooperative Extension, pictures showing symptoms of common nutrient deficiencies.Back to top of page

TAGS:AZ Citrus citrus Arizona Maricopa Phoenix gardening fruit orange grapefruit tang

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