Are citrus trees acid loving plants?

What should the pH be for citrus trees?

The optimum pH level for citrus trees is between 5.5 and 6.5, but many areas have alkaline soils with a soil pH above 7.0, which can cause nutritional deficiencies that stunt the trees’ growth.

When to Apply Citrus Fertilizer. In general, you should be doing your citrus fertilizing about once every one to two months during active growth (spring and summer) and once every two to three months during the tree’s dormant periods (fall and winter).

Fertilizing Citrus Trees. Since citrus trees are heavy nitrogen feeders, make sure your fertilizer contains more nitrogen (N) than phosphorous (P) and potassium (K). Use at least a 2-1-1 (N:P:K) ratio. Miracid Soil Acidifier is a water soluble product that works well and has a 3-1-1 ratio.

The best soil pH for growing lemon trees and other citrus is 6.5, according to University of California Riverside Research Facility. If your soil has a higher pH, use mulches that acidify the soil, like pine needles or coffee grounds. Regularly test your soil’s pH to avoid making it too acidic.

Citrus trees feed heavily on nitrogen. Your fertilizer should have more nitrogen (N) than phosphorous (P) or potassium (K). Use at least a 2-1-1 ratio. Miracid Soil Acidifier is a water-soluble product that works well and is a 3-1-1 ratio.

Fertilize regularly when growing Meyer lemons. A high nitrogen fertilizer, such as one designed for citrus trees, is best fed monthly between April and September. Withhold fertilizer during autumn and winter months. Yellowing leaves indicate the need for either water or fertilizer.

Lemons. The tart fruits of the lemon tree (Citrus limon) are damaged when temperatures drop below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Blossoms and young fruit die at 29 degrees. When temperatures reach 22 to 24 degrees, the tree’s leaves are damaged and will drop.

If the plant does bloom but still fails to fruit, this might be because the tree is not old enough. Lemon tree fruiting occurs at three to five years old, depending upon the rootstock.

Fruit trees prefer an organic, high nitrogen fertilizer. Blood meal, soybean meal, composted chicken manure, cottonseed meal, and feather meal are all good, organic nitrogen sources. There are also specially formulated fruit tree fertilizers.

The best pick for homegrown citrus is a dwarf variety, a plant that is grafted onto special rootstock that prevents the tree from growing too large. Many citrus trees can be grown as dwarves, including Meyer lemon, kaffir lime, and ‘Trovita’ and calamondin oranges, which are amenable to indoor cultivation.

Plant several lemon seeds about ½ inch deep to increase the chance for lemon seed propagation. Moisten the soil lightly and cover the top of the pot with plastic wrap to aid in water retention. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. There you have it; a lemon tree from seed.

The major nutrients that the avocado tree needs are Nitrogen – Phosphorous – Potassium (N-P-K on the fertilizer package label) and Zinc (Zn). For young avocado trees the recommendation is 1/2 to 1 pound of actual Nitrogen per tree per year.

A fig tree that gets too much nitrogen produces less fruit and is more susceptible to cold weather damage. Figs are naturally slow-growing trees, and giving them fertilizer can cause growth spurts that result in splits and cracks in trunks and branches.

You can plant the seed directly in a pot of soil or place it in a plastic bag. Before planting lime seeds, however, be sure to wash them and you may even want to allow them to dry for a couple days, then plant them as soon as possible. Plant seeds about ¼ to ½ inch deep in containers with well-draining soil.

Directions

Moisten the potting soil so that it is damp, but not soaked, all the way through.

Fill the smaller pot with soil, all the way up to an inch below the rim.

Cut open your lemon and remove a seed.

Do not delay to plant.

Spray the soil that is directly above the seed gently with water from a spray bottle.

Keep the plastic bag in a dark, warm location until the seeds sprout. Keep the temperature between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. It will take one to two weeks. Some seedlings will need up to three weeks to sprout.

So growing a fruit tree from fruit seed is unlikely to produce a plant that will yield edible fruit. Fruit varieties grown today are the results of years, even decades, of breeding to create that supersweet apricot or seedless grape. Nearly every fruit tree sold today is grafted, including Meyer lemons.

Citrus trees require heat, good drainage and moist soil to thrive, but most types of citrus, including lemon, are self-fruitful and do not require cross-pollination to set fruit. You can plant one lemon tree in your backyard and enjoy a good fruit yield under adequate cultivation practices.

But lemons are another story. And although it may take anywhere from 3-6 years for your tree to be capable of producing fruit, there is something extra rewarding about starting from seed.

While lemon trees can tolerate a range of soils, including poor soil, most prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Lemon trees should be set slightly higher than ground. Therefore, dig a hole somewhat shallower than the length of the root ball. Place the tree in the hole and replace soil, tamping firmly as you go.

The average lifespan of lemon trees is over 50 years. With proper care and disease prevention practices, a vigorous tree can live over 100 years.