Green Thumb Nursery

by Liz Forsyth

Pruning is a very important aspect of growing citrus fruit trees. When correctly pruned, the trees are hardier, less prone to disease, and produce quality fruit. Only prune the citrus when the fruits are present - this is a short window that extends just a few weeks after the fruit has become climacteric, or completely ripened. Prune the plant prior to its next flowering. That way you won't prune away the next crop of fruit.

If you are pruning as a small tree, 10'+ high and wide, you are aiming for an open branch form with a dense canopy of foliage but an uncluttered crown of branches. Remove all dead branches, and those crossing others. Protect the graft union and remove any suckers that sprout below it. Shape your trees with selective pruning (not hard pruning) once every three months.

If you are pruning as a shrub, less than 10' high and wide, to grow in small spaces or in containers, short multiple trunks are optimal with a dense canopy and an open network of branches. This openness will increase air circulation which aids in controlling pests and diseases.

A basic rule of pruning is to always use clean cuts and clean tools. Disinfect your tools after working on the plants using a simple, weak dilution of bleach in water.

When it comes time to harvest, the citrus fruit will be in full color and just slightly soft. Removing the fruit is not only beneficial to your health, it disallows citrus re-greening which severely decreases the quality of the fruit and its future production. The fruit will easily detach from the tree when it is ripe.

Here is a list of some citrus varieties to get you started:

Oranges:

• Valencia – makes the best juice
• Navel ('Late Lane Navel' is a late harvesting variety) – this is the most popular orange
• Cara Cara Orange – has pink flesh and is super sweet
• Moro Blood Orange - has red flesh with a berry-like flavor

Lemons:

• Eureka - good for containers
• Improved Meyer - very juicy

Limes:

• Bearss - a Californian variety
• Sweet Lime - makes great juice
• Mexican (Key) Lime – the bartenders' lime

Grapefruit:

• Oroblanco - white flesh
• Ruby - pink flesh

Tangerines:

• Dancy – this one is a heavy producer
• Clementine – a small but wonderfully juicy choice fruit
• Algerian - hardy plants

Mandarin:

• Honey – has great flavor
• Satsuma – a very high quality fruit

Tangelo:

• Minneola (cross between a pummelo & tangerine) – has a great flavor

Pummelos:

• Chandler – a huge fruit with sweet flesh

Kumquat:

• Nagami – has a sweet rind with tart flesh
• Meiwa – a superior variety

And this is where I urge you to not pass on growing citrus trees because the workload seems insurmountable; once you have gotten into the rhythm of how and when to feed, it will become second nature. And the bountiful rewards are well worth any trouble. Your trees will blossom more vibrantly, and will produce fruit that will grace your table and your health.