Squeeze The Day

Horticulturist Tammy Huynh shares growing tips for abundant and juicy citrus fruit plus introduces some lesser-known varieties.

Horticulturist Tammy Huynh on growing citrus.

Good-looking and versatile, citrus is a justifiably popular garden inclusion. Provided you give your citrus a little TLC, all varieties fruit well and will continue to reward you for many years. Another advantage of citrus is that it doesn’t need a lot of space to grow. While standard trees can grow between 3-4 metres tall, most citrus varieties are available in dwarf form, which can be planted in pots on balconies or in courtyards.

GOOD CONDITIONS

Citrus thrives in most climates. In frost-prone zones, look for cold-tolerant varieties and grow them in pots so they can easily be brought inside or into a greenhouse in the winter months. Before planting, choose a spot that has at least six hours of sunlight per day and is sheltered from strong winds. Make sure the soil is well-draining and enriched with plenty of compost and organic matter. Citrus will not tolerate clay-based soils, so improve the soil by regularly mixing in gypsum and soil conditioners if necessary. Alternatively, consider mounding beds to improve drainage or planting in pots using a premium-quality potting mix.

TOP CROPS

Water often and deeply during the warmer months and when flowering and fruiting. Mulch around the base with an organic mulch such as sugar cane or lucerne to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Apply an organic-based citrus fertiliser once each season, keeping it away from the trunk. Remove any fruit that appears in the first and second year; this allows the tree to focus on growing into a strong plant that can support a productive crop in the future.

Sap-sucking pests, such as aphids, scale, bronze orange bug (also known as stink bug) or mites, are likely to visit citrus. Treat at first sight with a suitable organic insecticide. To keep plants healthy and productive, trim every year after fruiting.