In Charlie’s Community Garden there are a few different citrus trees growing.
1. Citrus Lemon is their family name.
2. Eureka lemon is espaliered on the western fence line
3. Makrut Lime is growing in a pot in the SE corner of the garden
4. Cumquat is growing in a pot beside the entrance gate
When to plant
Plant trees in early Autumn or in Spring when the soil is warm
How to plant
Citrus trees prefer a sunny spot with at least 6 hours of daily sunlight. Ideally, plant trees in a mound, 15-30cm high to keep roots from drowning. Also ensure grafting site is well above soil level.
Care
Modern lemons are high performance plants which respond to regular care..
Feed every six weeks between Spring and Autumn, through the period of growth, with a general purpose organic fertiliser based on chicken manure. (½ handful/sqm thinly around the root one, underneath the mulch)
Spring - apply trace elements (1 pinch x 4.5 L water)
Spring - apply seaweed fertiliser to promote root growth (3tab x 4.5 L water)
Water regularly and deeply during dry weather, giving them a break from watering in mid-Winter.
Prune any suckers which appear below the graft point
Prune to enable air to circulate throughout centre of the tree
Harvest:
Citrus crop during Winter
Makrut lime is grown for its leaves and can be harvested throughout the year
Troubleshooting
Stink bugs suck the sap from young shoots and must be removed by hand. Wear protective glasses to avoid bug spray then drown bugs in a bucket of water.
Citrus gall wasp can weaken branches and reduce cropping. Remove and destroy galls.
Citrus leaf miner can be observed when leaves curl during the growing season. Remove affected leaves and spray on new growth early in the morning or late in the afternoon (1 cup vegetable oil & 1 teas detergent diluted 40:1 with water. Mix well)