Fruit:
Citrus
1. When – We recommend buying a tree but if you start from seed, we recommend starting the seed indoors. Unless you live in a tropical climate, the winter freeze will kill the seedling. If you live in a tropical climate, plant it during March-April as the tree needs time to establish before the winter.
2. Where – Full sun in very well draining soil. Do not plant near other trees to prevent overcrowding. Planting in a container will limit the growth however a citrus tree in the ground can grow 30 feet tall or more.
3. How – Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball, and around 1 1/2 times as deep as the root ball. Fill up with organic compost until the hole is only as deep as the root ball. Place your tree in the hole and fill with compost, be sure not to cover too much of the trunk bark with compost, or else it could become infected. If the tree is not planted deep enough, the roots can become exposed and damage the tree.
4. Harvesting – The best way to harvest citrus is to wait for the fruit to become so loose that they can be removed with a half twist, or even a small shake of the tree or branch. This is when you know the fruit is nice and ripe.
5. Tips – The trunks of young citrus trees are likely to burn if exposed to too much direct sunlight. To prevent burn you can find wraps designed for this purpose. It’s recommended to prune citrus twice per year.
Type:
Perennial
Time to harvest:
3 to 6 years from tree
Plant Origin:
South east Asia nearly 10,000 years ago
How to Cultivate 