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Tag Archive for: Citrus-tone

Growing Joy with Maria Blog – How to Grow Citrus Indoors ??

March 21, 2024/in Blog, Growing Joy with Maria, Indoor Gardening

Growing citrus indoors, complete with flowers and fruit, may sound too good to be true. However, by choosing the right citrus varieties and providing them with the ideal growing conditions, you can indeed become a successful indoor citrus farmer.

This blog is inspired by Episode 210 of Growing Joy with Maria Podcast, where host Maria Failla chatted with citrus expert Danny Trejo of Via Citrus to talk about how to choose citrus varieties, set up the right growing environment, and how to effectively care for them.

 

Popular Citrus Varieties for Indoors

Some of the best citrus trees for growing inside include:

  • Calamansi – bears fruit year-round
  • Key lime – small in stature like calamansi, perfect for containers
  • Meyer lemon – a classic lemon variety that flowers beautifully indoors
  • Kumquat – sweet edible fruits

You can also consider unique varieties like the Buddha’s Hand with its unique fruit, the thorny Australian finger lime, or fragrant yuzu. Blood oranges require lots of light but their antioxidant-rich fruit may be worth the effort.

Prepping for Your Citrus Tree

Before bringing home a new citrus plant, make sure that you have the proper growing conditions it requires. Citrus trees originate from subtropical climates and do best with 6-8 hours per day of direct sunlight, warm interior temperatures, and plenty of humidity. 

Have an appropriate sunny window or consider investing in a grow light like the Soltech Aspect™ LED Growlight. These lights can help your citrus tree grow well, and you can place them wherever you need to.

How to Grow Citrus Successfully

Citrus trees require deep yet infrequent watering. Use a well-draining soil like Espoma Organic Cactus Mix, which is designed not just for cactus, but also succulents, palms, and citrus. Wait until the top part of the soil is dry, and then water the tree a lot until water comes out from the bottom holes.

Place your citrus in terracotta to allow excess moisture to evaporate. Notably, Danny offers a range of pots crafted from recycled materials for this purpose.

Small adjustments to your citrus care can make all the difference, so observe them closely. Leaves that curl upward typically indicate underwatering while leaves that yellow or brown at the tips signal overwatering issues.

Feeding Your Citrus

Fertilize citrus plants during the active growing season. We recommend pairing Espoma Citrus-Tone with Espoma Bloom! liquid fertilizer when fertilizing indoor citrus. Bloom! is an effective option that ensures your citrus indoor plants receive the necessary nutrients without the risk of unpleasant smells. Slow or stop feeding over winter when trees enter a period of dormancy. 

Pruning and Pest Prevention

Prune citrus trees in early spring to remove any dead branches and shape them for better growth habits. Before you bring your citrus trees inside in the late fall, keep an eye out for tiny bugs like spider mites and aphids on them. Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap to prevent bringing pests indoors.

 

From Flower to Fruit

Don’t feel sad if your citrus has lots of blooms but only a portion of them form into actual fruit. Citrus decide how many fruits they can make depending on how much light and nutrients they get. So just enjoy the wonderful smell of citrus blooms!

Humidity for Healthy Citrus

Keep the air moist (40-60% humidity) for your citrus plants during dry winter when heaters are running. Using a humidifier can help keep the higher humidity during dry seasons. Even though citrus slows down in winter, don’t expose them to sudden temperature changes or drafts. 

Are You Ready to Grow Citrus?

Growing citrus indoors can be a rewarding experience for indoor gardeners. Observe them closely, make small adjustments, practice patience with fruiting times, and soon you’ll enjoy homegrown citrus for gourmet dishes and cocktails!

*****

 

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/1.png 1080 1080 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2024-03-21 16:13:572024-03-21 16:46:20Growing Joy with Maria Blog – How to Grow Citrus Indoors ??

VIDEO: Repotting Geraniums and a Kumquat tree ??? with Garden Answer!

December 21, 2023/in Blog, Espoma Videos, Flowers, Garden Answer, Gardening, Indoor Gardening, Trees & Shrubs

Join Laura from @gardenanswer as she ventures into the greenhouse and guides us through the repotting process of her young geraniums and a stunningly large Kumquat tree. Along the way, Laura shares valuable plant care advice.

For this task, Laura uses Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix for her geraniums and Cactus Mix for the Kumquat tree, ensuring an optimal growing environment for her plants. To nourish and promote the growth of her green friends, she mixes in  Espoma Organic Flower-tone and Citrus-tone to provide the essential nutrients her plants need to flourish.

 

 

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/thumbnail.jpg 1080 1920 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2023-12-21 15:33:002024-02-28 15:56:50VIDEO: Repotting Geraniums and a Kumquat tree ??? with Garden Answer!

VIDEO: Planting a Calamondin Orange Tree ?? with Summer Rayne Oakes

October 26, 2023/in Blog, Summer Rayne Oakes, Summer Rayne Oakes, Trees & Shrubs

Looking to add a tropical touch to your patio or indoor space? Dive into Summer Rayne Oakes‘ latest video where she shares her top citrus care tips as she plants a Calamondin orange tree. While this delightful citrus hybrid isn’t naturally suited for colder climates, it flourishes when potted under the right conditions.

For the perfect growing medium, Summer chooses Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix for her citrus tree. To ensure it receives all the essential nutrients, she incorporates Citrus-tone Organic fertilizer into the pot, setting her new Calamondin orange tree on the path to thrive in its fresh new planter.

 

Learn more about Summer Rayne Oakes here:

Website: homesteadbrooklyn.com

YouTube: @summerrayneoakes

Facebook: facebook.com/homesteadbrooklyn

Instagram: instagram.com/homesteadbrooklyn

Twitter (X): twitter.com/sroakes

 

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Ep-331-Calamondin-Care.jpg 1080 1920 Matt Dauphinais https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Matt Dauphinais2023-10-26 10:54:372023-10-26 10:54:37VIDEO: Planting a Calamondin Orange Tree ?? with Summer Rayne Oakes

Video: How to Grow & Care for Citrus

February 25, 2021/in Blog, Espoma Videos, Gardening

Take a look at how the folks at Petitti Garden Centers use Espoma to keep their citrus plants happy and healthy!

Learn more about Petitti Garden Centers:

Website: https://www.petittigardencenter.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petittigardencenters/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gardeningwithpetittis/

 

 

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/citrus-care.jpg 1080 1920 Danielle Kirschner https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Danielle Kirschner2021-02-25 11:16:262023-03-10 17:35:43Video: How to Grow & Care for Citrus

Video: How to Plant Citrus in Containers

February 16, 2021/in Blog, Espoma Videos, Garden Answer

Watch Laura from Garden Answer show you how to grow citrus in containers!

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screen-Shot-2021-02-16-at-12.21.10-PM.png 1182 2278 Danielle Kirschner https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Danielle Kirschner2021-02-16 12:36:562021-02-16 12:36:56Video: How to Plant Citrus in Containers

Video: Citrus Growing Update & Care Tips!

February 16, 2021/in Blog, Espoma Videos, Garden Answer

Laura from Garden Answer updates on her indoor Lemon & Lime trees she grows indoors. Watch for important care & growing tips!

 

Learn more about Garden Answer here:

https://www.youtube.com/c/gardenanswer 

https://www.gardenanswer.com/

https://www.facebook.com/gardenanswer

https://www.instagram.com/gardenanswer/

 

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Where to Buy
https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Screen-Shot-2021-02-16-at-12.12.09-PM.png 1196 2294 Danielle Kirschner https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png Danielle Kirschner2021-02-16 12:17:352023-02-17 12:54:58Video: Citrus Growing Update & Care Tips!

Growing Food Out of Your Zone

March 27, 2019/in Fruits & Vegetables

As “The Citrus Guy” in a non-citrus producing area of the country, I appreciate this guest blog opportunity to show folks that anybody can grow their own citrus fruit and many other types of food in containers.

One of the first questions I get is, “Can you actually get fruit from containerized trees”?
I enthusiastically answer, YES!

I grow most (okay, ALL) of my 55+ Citrus in containers. Even though I live in Charleston, SC (Zone 8) and they can grow in the ground here, I prefer growing them in containers. I should include in this list my figs, blueberries, jujubes (Ziziphus mauritiana), miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) as well.

Lemon Guava (Author Photo)

Here is a brief “how to do it”.

The Container
Anything is possible to use, IF, you have a large enough container 15 to 30 gallons. Don’t expect as big a tree or bush as one grown in the ground. Dwarf rootstock is helpful, but not essential. Root stock dwarfs the tree (still giving you full size fruit) but the container will do that to some extent also. With that being said, I have some seed grown trees that are producing fruit on their own roots.

Nagami Kumquat (Author Photo)

Watering/Moisture

Be aware that plastic containers retain moisture longer than other types of pots. Terracotta pots, not only being much heavier, wick water out faster, unless of course it is glazed inside. As with most plants, allow the upper surface of the soil to become semi dry to the touch and maybe an inch down, then water thoroughly. Fruiting plants need lots of moisture, but don’t like wet feet all the time. If you keep the soil about the consistency of a wrung-out dish sponge, you will be well ahead of the game.

Papaya grown from seed. (Author Photo)

All the Dirt on Soil
Espoma makes a great potting soil that can be used for all indoor and outdoor container plants.  A good blend of Peat with either Sand, Perlite and Vermiculite will suffice. If it is well draining, retains some moisture, and is sturdy enough to support the plant, it is good to go.

Pomegranate and Banana (Author Photo)

Feed Me to Feed You

Good nutrition is essential, but over fertilization can result in excessive vegetative or leafy growth, poor fruiting and possible death due to fertilizer salt accumulation.  I am huge proponent of Citrus-tone, also made by Espoma, for my citrus trees and many of the other fruiting plants. Holly Tone is also very good for some extra acidity, such as what blueberries need. I have never had any issues of salt accumulation with these products.

Let There Be Light
Citrus and all fruiting plants love sunlight, 8-10 hours if possible, even in winter. Indoors supplemental lighting may be required. There are many different types of lighting and fixtures on the market. I encourage you to do your homework when it comes to what you can afford, what you absolutely need, light density, and color spectrum.

A word of caution here, after a plant has been inside for an extended length of time, you can still burn the leaves. Acclimate them slowly to the intensity of the sun. Bring them out for a few hours, then shade them. After a couple of days of doing this, leave it out a little longer. Do this until you are at maximum lighting.

Hot Foot

Summer time can bring other problems with container cultivation. The temperature in a black pot, outside in 8 hours of sunlight can easily reach 120 degrees. There are numerous ways to alleviate this. First, shade the pot with low growing plants in other pots. This will give you a chance to have some flowers around your tree and make a very nice display. Second, paint your pots white. The white surface will reflect the rays of the sun and keep your roots many degrees cooler. You can also do a pot inside a pot. Depending on the color of the outside pot and the air space between the that and the inner pot will determine just how many degrees cooler it can be.

In Conclusion

Pushing the limits of your growing zone can be intimidating and fun at the same time. With a little bit of work and common sense you can grow most tropical fruits in any part of the country. I say most because, I would LOVE to grow my own coconut. According to all the literature I have read, even a dwarf one will not fruit until it is 30-40 feet tall, pruning is not an option because of the growth habit and my greenhouse does not have an elevating roof…….yet!

 

Happy Growing!

Darren Sheriff

a.k.a. The Citrus Guy

 

Darren Sheriff is a SCNLA Certified Professional Nurseryman, A Charleston County Master Gardener Emeritus and is the manager for Terra Bella Garden Center in North Charleston, South Carolina. With his 220+ camellias, he is an active member of, and current president of, the Coastal Carolina Camellia Society, the South Carolina State Director for the American Camellia Society, the founder of the Lowcountry Fruit Growers Society as well as their former president. Known as “The Citrus Guy” in the Lowcountry he is an expert in the cultivation of Citrus and currently has 55+ different varieties in his yard, mostly in containers, but there is one in the ground as well. As an Exotic Tropical Fruit buff, he is growing things many people have never heard of and is well versed in all other kinds of fruit as well. He has authored numerous books all of which can be found on Amazon or his website https://thecitrusguy.com/.

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https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Nagami-Kumquat.jpg 525 700 espoma https://www.espoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/espoma-logo340w-1.png espoma2019-03-27 08:00:372019-05-07 09:56:09Growing Food Out of Your Zone

When Life Gives You Lemons – Grow Them Indoors!

January 3, 2018/in Indoor Gardening

Everyone loves houseplants – they provide greenery and pops of color to your home. Sometimes it’s fun to switch things up a little bit. Growing citrus indoors is actually easier than you think!

Unless you live in a warm climate year round, growing citrus outside can be tough. Bringing it indoors will keep it at the temperature it needs and gives it a chance to thrive.

Just imagine seasoning your salmon on a chilly night, adding fresh lemon to your water, or making a natural cleaner and being able to grab citrus right out of your living room to do it! And Meyer lemon trees smell so good too!

How to Grow a Citrus Tree Indoors:

1. Choose your container

If allowed, citrus trees will grow incredibly tall. Keep citrus trees from hitting the ceiling by choosing a container that is deeper than it is wide. This will help roots to grow down and not out, keeping the tree balanced as it grows.

If the tree will stay in one well-lit area year-round, any container will do. If you are moving it from room to room to follow the sunlight per season, a thinner plastic container is lighter and easier to transport. Make sure your container has adequate drainage holes.

2.The right soil

Citrus trees don’t like wet feet. A light well-drained soil mix, such as Espoma’s Cactus Potting Soil, works best to grow your tree in. It provides the tree with enough water to keep it happy and allows the excess to drain quickly.

Fill your container with just enough soil so your root ball is just under the lip of the container. This helps your tree to get the right nutrients and drain correctly.

3. Plant your tree

Before placing the root ball in the container, be sure to sprinkle Espoma’s Citrus-Tone on your soil as directed.

Center your tree’s root ball and fil the sides in with soil. Tuck the soil in the sides, so the tree doesn’t lean. Feed your tree regularly to ensure successful and juicy citrus.

4. Choose your location

Citrus trees require 8-12 hours of sunlight a day. Be sure to choose a south-facing window with good airflow. In the winter months, you may need to supplement with a grow light if there isn’t enough daylight.

5. Give it a drink

While citrus trees don’t like their feet wet, they also don’t like to dry out. If the first inch of the soil dries out, be sure to water your tree. If you water about once a week, you should be using around ¼ of a gallon. If the tree is standing in drainage overflow, be sure to allow it to dry before watering again.

Do you have outdoor trees that need to be fertilized? Watch this video to learn how!

 

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Tag Archive for: Citrus-tone

Citrus-tone

July 13, 2023/in Espoma Organic Fertilizers
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Citrus-tone

October 18, 2018/in
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