The past few years, it appears as if the citrus tree has been under attack.
A string of misfortunes, including citrus canker, runaway development and hurricanes, have put the squeeze on citrus nurseries statewide. Right now, there are fewer nurseries growing citrus trees for sale than at any time since the early 1980s.
A new threat to the citrus industry also has emerged. This time, it's Asian greening, a disease carried by a tiny insect, and unlike canker, it kills infected plants. As a result, citrus nurseries are operating under strict new regulations imposed by the Florida Department of Agriculture. From now on, young plants have to be grown in insect-proof buildings.
"If they find even one insect in your propagation house, they can shut the nursery down," says longtime citrus man Pokey Mahon, owner of Pokey's Lake Jem Citrus Nursery in Zellwood. "So everyone will pretty soon notice the increase in the cost of trees." (Currently a 5-gallon citrus tree is about $50 and a 7-gallon is $70.)
Food for thought
Established citrus trees are pretty tough; they need to be fertilized every six to eight weeks during the growing season and pruned to remove dead wood.
Mahon recommends using any specially formulated, granular citrus fertilizer. These products contain micronutrients, such as boron, magnesium and manganese, that help the tree bear better and healthier fruit. Fertilize between early March and the middle of September, when the tree is growing. During the winter, the growth will harden off and the tree will set fruit, depending on the variety.
If you prefer going organic, consider David Fedor's treatment. The owner of the all-organic Hickory Tree Grove in DeLeon Springs, Fedor uses an all-natural mixture of fish emulsion, dried seaweed powder and a tiny dash of ocean water to feed his plants. He also lays down a thick layer of hay under the tree's canopy to hold in moisture during dry periods and provide a natural, rich compost.
Mature citrus trees usually don't need additional water during summer rains, so it's a good idea to cap sprinkler heads. During drier months, a little extra water may be needed. And be sure the citrus has well-drained soil.
The right foot
Mahon has a few simple tips for planting new trees. Citrus likes full sun. If possible, locate your tree on the southeast side of your house or a fence. The idea is to protect the tree from winter's occasional cold northwest winds. Citrus can handle freezing temperatures, but not for long. Anything more than about four hours can cause the bark to split and might result in serious damage.
Once you've found a spot, plant the tree so the top of the root ball is at ground level. If you plant it too deep, the young feeder roots might be suffocated. And don't mix any fertilizer into the hole. This will burn the delicate new roots.
After the plant is in the ground, soak the dirt, filling the hole with water. "You want mud," Mahon says. This will drive out all the underground air pockets and give the tree a firm foundation.
If you're planting during summer, you probably won't need to water the plant beyond that first time because rainfall will take care of it. But if no rains come, then water the tree about twice a week for six weeks.
"After that," Mahon says, "the tree will pretty much take care of itself."
A newly planted tree should begin producing fruits in one to three years, but if you pinch off the flowers for the first year or two, the tree will grow stronger and you will increase later production.
A healthy, mature citrus tree shouldn't have problems with insects, although canker and Asian greening continue to pose serious long-term threats to the state's trees. But even if these diseases can't be controlled down the road, for many people, having a few years of fresh, homegrown citrus is better than none at all.
Jon VanZile is a home gardener and freelance writer. He lives in Pompano Beach.
Your guide to Florida citrus
Oranges and their hybrids: Early-bearing varieties, such as navel, Hamlin, Robinson tangerines and Satsuma Mandarin, begin yielding fruit this month and continue bearing throughout much of the winter. Traditional varieties include Temple, Honeybell and Pineapple and various tangerines.
Lemons: The most common in Florida is the Meyer lemon. These ever-bearing trees can yield four to five sets of fruit in a year.
Grapefruit: They aren't supposed to be bitter; they're just misunderstood. Grapefruit should stay on the tree until March, when they're ready to fall off the tree. Then they will be sweet and delicious and not bitter.
Limes: The two dominant varieties of limes in Florida are Persian limes (also known as Tahiti limes) and Key limes. Key limes are ripe when they have turned yellowish, and Persian limes can be picked either when they're bright green or slightly yellowish. The earlier you pick the fruit, the more sour the fruit will be.