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How To Plant Orange Trees

How to Transplant Orange Trees Carefully uproot the young tree from its pot, leaving the root ball undisturbed. Dig a deep hole slightly larger than the size of the rootball and its root in well-drained soil. Place the tree in the hole and secure with soil. Water on a weekly basis.

What is the best month to plant orange trees?

Early to mid-spring is the perfect time for citrus planting because they have the entire spring and summer to establish themselves in the soil with warm weather at their disposal. Your soil must be well-draining and fertile. A smart way to determine if your soil structure is healthy for orange trees is by adding water.

Where should I plant my orange tree?

Orange trees prefer a location with full sun and well-draining soil. They need room to spread out — at least 15 feet away from other trees, power lines and buildings, even further from septic tanks and drain fields. In cooler climates, planting against a south-facing wall provides additional warmth.

How do you prepare soil for citrus trees?

Citrus trees prefer deep, well-drained, sandy loam soils. Improve heavy soils by incorporating large amounts of compost and a few buckets of gypsum into a planting area at least 2m wide. Mound the soil to approximately 30-40cm deep in the centre to improve the drainage. The preferred pH is 6-7.5.

What soil do orange trees like?

Citrus plants generally like a well-drained, slightly acidic soil but they do grow well in a variety of soils and more dense clay soils taking longer to drain water through than bark based compost.

How do you take care of an orange tree?

Four Tips for Orange Tree Plant Care Give your trees the water they need. Orange trees that have been recently planted will need the most water. Fertilize your plants. Different types of fertilizers exist, and the type you use will affect your crop. Prune your orange trees. Harvest at the right time.

How deep should orange tree be planted?

Dig a hole that’s about 1.5 times the width of the root ball and about as deep as the root ball is tall. Like most trees, citrus trees should be planted slightly above the depth that they were at in the container; planting too deeply can cause water to pool around the trunk, leading to rot and disease.

Do orange trees need a lot of sun?

For the best growing citrus plant, the plant needs at least 5 to 6 hours a day of direct sunlight. Try placing your plant on a south-facing window sill as this seems to provide the right amount of light. Citrus plants like quite humid environments.

What is the best fertilizer for orange trees?

Top 5 Best Fertilizers For Orange Trees EcoScraps For Organic Gardening Citrus & Avocado Plant Food (My Top Pick) Jack’s Classic No.1.5 20-10-20 Citrus Food Fertilizer (Best High-End) Jobe’s Fruit & Citrus Fertilizer Spikes (Best Budget Pick) Dr. Miracle-Gro Fruit & Citrus Plant Food Spikes.

How do you make citrus trees grow faster?

Citrange rootstock makes a faster-growing, taller tree, intolerant of poor drainage, so it’s ideal for coastal areas. Five hours of sunshine a day is needed for maximum fruiting. In cold climates, plant the tree in spring, when the soil has warmed up. In warm areas, trees can also be planted in autumn.

What’s the best soil for citrus trees?

Citrus does best in slightly acidic, well-drained loam or sandy loam soils, but with proper irrigation that drains easily, could grow well in clay soils. Plant trees in the spring in a warm, sheltered, preferably south-facing position away from cold winds; cover plants in winter if temperatures fall below 29 degrees.

What compost is good for citrus trees?

Compost: Citrus trees need a slightly acid environment. The pH should be between 6 and 6.5, (Lemons slightly lower pH than Oranges) so use ericaceous compost. Do not use composts containing lime as they will have a higher pH. Most multi-purpose composts also contain lime and have a fairly high pH so should be avoided.

Can you grow orange trees in pots?

When planting in a pot, choose a dwarf orange variety, such as Dwarf Valencia or Dwarf Navel. Potted oranges should be grown in a good quality mix (such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter) and moved into larger containers as they grow.

What climate do oranges need to grow?

Orange trees are climate-sensitive plants that have quite definite temperature requirements. When they are actively growing, they do best if temperatures range from 55 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. They become dormant in winter and require temperatures no lower the 35 F or higher than 50 F during this period.

How often should I water my orange tree?

Proper Watering Orange trees should be watered every few days during the first couple of weeks after planting. Once they’ve established, this watering should be decreased gradually to intervals of 7 to 28 days depending on the time of year and the soil type.

How do you fertilize an orange tree?

Fertilize young trees three weeks after planting with 1/2 cup of fertilizer. During the first year, fertilize every six weeks, from February to September. Apply a balanced 8-8-8 fertilizer to the soil around the tree in a 3-foot radius. Do not allow the fertilizer to touch the tree.

What can I plant around an orange tree?

Yarrow, dill, and fennel all attract lacewings and ladybugs, which feed on aphids. Lemon balm, parsley, and tansy attract tachinid fly and wasps, which kill harmful caterpillars. Another good set of citrus tree companions are legumes, such as peas and alfalfa.