When caring for citrus trees it is important to have all of the appropriate tools and products. One of the best ways to stay organized is to make up your own citrus health care kits which include all of the necessary tree essentials.

If you are one of the many people who love to grow their own citrus fruit and enjoy the time, patience and commitment it takes to care for fruit bearing plants then continue reading and find out how to make your own citrus health kits.

Pruning shears: This is of course one of the most important tools to include in your citrus health kit. Proper pruning and trimming is necessary to ensure health, steady growth as well as root structure and fruit development. When preparing your kit make sure to have a pair of sharp and reliable sheers which are capable of trimming all sizes and thicknesses of branch.

Mycorrhizal Treatment: Most mycorrhizal sprays contain living fungi which when applied to soil will assist both new and mature trees to colonize their root systems and will provide excellent soil conditions. These busy little fungi will in exchange for food bring nutrients and water to the tree’s roots.

Misting hose attachment: Water is essential for citrus health and can mean the difference between fresh, unspoiled fruit and dried, useless blossoms. When building your kit consider purchasing a misting attachment for your hose which will allow for you to gently water the upper branches and leaves of your tree.

Fertilizer tablets: All citrus tree varieties will thrive when given the appropriate amount of fertilizer. The most convenient way to ensure your tree is getting enough nutrients is to use commercial fertilizer tablets. These essential citrus products are easy to use and one tablet is often enough to nourish a tree for an entire year.

And finally, the last product to include in your citrus health kit is a Biostimulant. This dry, water soluble product contains everything needed to stimulate root growth and tree strength. Most citrus tree biostimulants will include humic acid extracts, amino acids, yucca plant extracts as well as sea kelp, beneficial bacteria and living fungi.

When planning where to put your orange tree, be sure to know how tall your tree is going to be. Some trees can reach over 50 feet so you want to be sure to give it space. You don’t want to have to move the things in your yard around because your orange tree grew too tall and wide.

As for the soil, orange trees grow great in well drained sandy soil. The soil should also be deep enough as orange trees need a lot of support from their roots.

There are several good orange trees on the market, but my favorite is the Washington Navel. This tree is also sold as a dwarf, growing to about 8 feet. The fruit is easy to peel, delicious and has no seeds. The orange blossoms are fragrant in the spring and the foliage is lush, making it a beautiful addition to your yard or home.

The orange blossoms always remind me of when I was a kid, and we would drive to Florida for vacations. We could open the windows of the car and just inhale the sweet orange blossom fragrance.

As for light, if you keep the tree outside, be sure it has full sun. If you keep the tree indoors, make sure it has a bright interior light.

Orange trees added to your yard or home are fun because with little care, you are going to enjoy these sweet fruits each year. Just pick an orange when ripe and use it to eat or use the orange zest for cooking. You know you have the freshest orange around.

Don’t forget, to make sure your time and money is well spent, check with your local nursery so you know you have the best orange tree available for your area and situation.

Tip #1 – Prune at the right time of year: The best time of year to prune dwarf lemon tree branches can change depending on which geographical location you live in. But most of North America will prune their fruit trees sometime between January and March. Pruning your tree too late in the season can cause unnecessary stress to the root system which will affect the trees ability to grow worthwhile fruit.

Tip #2 – Sharpen your Tools: Sharp and clean tools are essential when caring for and pruning dwarf lemon trees. To make sure that your tools do not carry a disease from one plant to another sterilize the blades using an alcoholic wipe.

Tip #3 – Remove the right branches: One of the most important points to consider when planning to prune dwarf lemon tree branches is that you want as much sunlight as possible to reach the center of the tree. For this reason, the first branches to remove are those which cross over the center and seem to be blocking the trees trunk. Once you have removed all of the intrusive branches you will also want to prune any sick, marked or dying branches.

Tip #4 – Cut the branches properly: To prune dwarf lemon tree branches properly you will need both a pair of sharp pruning shears as well as a pruning saw. To remove the branches make a smooth, continuous vertical cut as close to the trunk as possible. If you are unable to simply snip the branch with sheers, carefully saw the branch off without ripping the trunk bark.

The scion contains the genes that you want to be reproduced by the stock plant. Budding, awl, veneer, cleft and stub are all different types of grafting.

The most common citrus tree grafting style is bud grafting or budding. This is also a good type of graft for beginning growers. The first step in bud grafting is to choose your scion and stock trees. Be sure to use sturdy, healthy trees. The basic procedure is to cut a bud and some bark from the scion tree and then insert it beneath the bark of the stock tree.

The best period for collecting the bud wood or donor wood is between April and November. Collect 8-12 in. lengths of budded twigs from the scion tree but be sure not to cut the most recent growth. The bud wood should be grafted as soon as possible but can be stored for up to three months in the freezer if necessary.

There are different bud grafting styles including shield budding, patch, double shield, flute and chip budding. A common choice for citrus tree grafting is the inverted T. If you chose the T-graft style, your next step is to cut an upside down T into the bark of your stock tree a few inches above the soil line. Then take one of your buds and insert it under the cuts in the bark and wrap with bud tape several times. The bud tape should be removed within 30 days.

Be sure to monitor the graft to ensure that the union is successful and that the bud begins to grow.

The dwarf kumquat tree does not exceed 4 feet in height, though some hybrids can grow to 6 feet. Their foliage is attractive and has few or no thorns. Kumquats have scented white blossoms that will turn into red orange colored fruit.

The fruit resembles a tiny orange, but the kumquat fruit is eaten whole, peel and all. If you have a sweet tooth, you only have to eat the peel. Kumquats can also be made into salads, candy, breads, pie fillings and sauces for duck, lamb, chicken and other meats.

The dwarf kumquat tree is easy to grow in areas where temperatures during the day are high and the nights are cool. The hybrid trees are able to handle a light frost. All types of trees require a small amount of pruning and the smaller varieties make perfect container plants.

In growing zones 9 and 10, the blooms appear in early spring or late spring. These blooms are white and are approximately 1 to 2 inches in size. They are not as fragrant as the orange or lemon trees but their fragrance is noticeable.

Young trees require considerable water to get well established, and then water only when necessary. As for fertilizer, I recommend using one made specifically for citrus trees. The kumquat is not really a citrus tree, but the fertilizer works well on the kumquat trees.

The dwarf Kumquat tree requires moist, well drained soil and needs to be in the full sun though some are able to thrive in just a little partial shade. The trees are also very resistant to disease and pests so there is no need for pesticides. The only pest you might see is the leaf miner. However, the leaf miner really doesn’t hamper the tree in the home garden.

Some common and wonderful varieties are the “‘Nagami, “Meiwa,” “Fukushu,” and “Marumi.” Check your local nursery for the trees, and if you do purchase one from online vendors, be sure to get a guarantee and make sure the tree can be shipped to your state.

Minerals: A very common mistake that most gardeners make is to assume that all trees have the same needs when it comes to fertilizers. However, the truth is most brands of tree fertilizer are not sufficient citrus tree food. Citrus species all need micronutrients and they need a lot of them to grow and produce healthy fruit. Your citrus tree will also need base minerals such as phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium. But in addition to these it will also need other more specific minerals such as copper, boron, magnesium and zinc.

Mycorrhizal Fungi: This healthy fungus is what helps a tree pull nutrients from the soil. You may not need to add it into your soil if your citrus tree is planted in close proximity to other larger trees. However, if you are one of the many that are planting their tree into a container, then you will have to add the fungi. Mycorrhizal fungi can also be added again at a later date to improve your citrus tree food in the cooler months.

Iron Tablets: There is also one last element that is important to add to your citrus tree food and that is iron. To predict potential iron deficiency you will have to look closely at your citrus tree’s leaves. If they are pale yellow and seem to stop growing soon after they appear then you may have to add iron to your soil. Another way to check iron amounts is to test the PH level in your soil. If your soil reads as seven or higher, then you soil is too alkaline and your tree is not benefiting for the nutrients in your soil. If this is the case simply add some iron caplets to your soil.

Citrus Canker: This fast-spreading bacterial infection unfortunately is quite common and can mean the end of many dwarf fruit trees. This contagious infection often appears as yellow or orangish colored lesions on the fruit, leaves and small branches of the tree and is spread through infected insects, birds and even gardening tools. One of the most effective ways to prevent citrus canker is to spray your tree with a liquid copper fungicide and by staying aware of any reports of the disease in the area.

Melanose: This disease though not serious or life threatening for most tree species can affect the appearance of the fruit produced and can lead to marked or scabbed fruit rind. Melanose is most commonly found in older trees which have been planted for more than ten years. It is also quite common, but not exclusive to dwarf grapefruit trees. The best treatment available is an anti-fungal spray.

Greasy Spot: This disease is probably the most common for dwarf fruit trees and can lead to dramatic leaf loss and branch weakening. The easiest way to see if your tree is suffering from Greasy Spot is to check the underside of the leaves for brownish-yellow blisters. To prevent the spread of greasy spot simply remove all of the fallen leaves quickly and use a liquid copper spray twice a year, once in the midsummer months and another in the early fall.

Kumquat trees are native to China and have been grown in both Europe and North America since the mid-19th Century. A lot of the trees are used on patios as they make great container plants.

The kumquat tree is compact, slow growing and looks like a shrub. It grows 8 to 15 feet tall, and the branches are small leaves around 1 1/4 to 3 3/8 inches. The kumquat tree blossoms are very fragrant white flowers and the kumquat fruit is mainly oval in shape, growing from 5/8 to 1 1/2 inches.

The following varieties are the most popular kumquat trees and their fruits used mostly for cooking.

Varieties

Hong Kong – This is a very thorny shrub whose fruit is 5/8 to 3/4 inches wide. The peel of these kumquats is thin and not very fleshy and the pulp is only 3 or 4 segments. The seeds are plump.

Marumi – This slightly thorny tree was introduced to the United States in 1885 from Japan. The fruit is round, slightly oval in shape and about 1 1/4 inches in length. The peel is golden yellow and smooth, very aromatic, and spicy. The pulp is in 4 to 7 segments with 1 to 3 seeds.

Meiwa – This dwarf kumquat tree is a rare find in the United States. The fruit is oblong to round in shape, and about 1 1/2 inches wide. The peel is orange-yellow in color, very thick, and sweet. The pulp comes in 7 segments and is often seedless.

Nagami – This tree is the most often cultivated kumquat tree in the United States. This fruit is oval shaped and up to 1 3/34 inches long and 1 3/16 inches wide. The pulp is divided into 4 or 5 segments, and contains 2 to 5 seeds. The tree can grow to be 15 feet tall.

Most kumquats can be eaten fresh from the trees, raw and whole. Kumquats are also great for making marmalade, being pickled, and made into a sauce.

Throw away the old idea that you have to have greens in a salad; instead, enjoy this fantastic and healthy citrus salad.

Get blood oranges if at all possible; pomelos are another good alternative, but they can often be expensive to purchase.

When picking fruits for this salad, you should stick to sweeter fruits, such as clementines, tangerines, navel oranges, and even grapefruit, in order to have a good mix of flavors.

Prepare all of your fruit; you can start by leveling off the fruit. Just chop the ends off, then stand it up for easier access. Following that, cut the peel off, leaving as little of it left on the pulp as you can, getting the pith out of the way as well.

Cut disks of fruit and make it aesthetically pleasing by coming up with a beautiful arrangement for it. Slice or chop shallots or red onions and sprinkle that over the citrus salad, along with some salt.

Top it all off with a salad dressing that will accent the wonderful flavors of the citrus fruit. Here’s my dressing recipe: citrus juice, sherry vinegar, olive oil, and a little bit of honey. Mix it all together and pour it over your salad; voila! When it comes to the citrus juice, use either lemon or lime; if you want to mix it up a bit, try sprinkling black pepper or cayenne into it.

Get that great anise flavor in by including fresh tarragon, and you’ll end up with a great way to wait out the winter in a very delicious salad.

Growing any plant from seed is exciting and many gardeners enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with caring for a plant through the whole growing process. But there is something which is especially exhilarating about growing tangerine trees and other citrus plants.

There is a feeling of pride and commitment that comes with watching a tree grow and eventually bear fruit. Many gardening enthusiast relish this fragile procedure and find themselves waiting anxiously to see the first sprout appear above the soil.

However, growing tangerine trees from seed is not easy and can take a lot of time, commitment and most importantly patience.

If you are thinking about growing any citrus plant from seed here is a simple step-by-step guide which may help;

Step one: The most important step when growing tangerine trees is to read all of the information supplied by your seed distributor. These instructions will guide you through the germination process and what kind of time frame you will be looking at before you begin to see any tree growth. Follow the recommended planting suggestions and make sure to take note of any special needs your tree species may need such as soil nutrients, sun exposure and fertilizers.

Step Two: Once you are familiar with your seed’s needs and growing conditions it is time to begin the stratification process. To start soak a handful of peat moss in water until it spreads and becomes engorged. Then once it has absorbed as much water as possible, squeeze the moss and drain it slightly. Once the moss is damp but not dripping place it is a Ziploc baggie. Then drop in a few seeds and cover the moss with loose dry soil. Now, seal your bag and place it in a warm, sunny location. The bag will have a “greenhouse” effect and will trick the seed into thinking it is in a stage of summer dormancy.

Step Three: Now that you have researched and read all of the available information and completed the stratification process, it is time to choose your seed planting location. If you are planting your tangerine tree in a container, then you must make sure that it has enough drainage, soil depth and sun exposure. If you are planting your tree permanently into your lawn then you must make sure that any obstacles such as other trees, house foundations and even sidewalks are far enough away to not pose any problems for root growth.

Step Four: To plant your tangerine trees simply drop the sprouting tree seed as well as the moss and soil into a small hole in your planting location. Make sure not to plant your seed too deep, if there is noticeable sprouts of growth make sure this is visible above the top soil.

Step Five: Now, once your seed is positioned, cover it with loose, dry soil. Do not pat the soil down, simply give your new tangerine tree a light watering and allow for the water to compact the soil. Continue to water your tangerine trees regularly and make sure to provide adequate fertilizer and additional soil if needed.

2. Blood Lime: Similar to the lime trees mentioned above the blood lime is also found in Australia. This rare fruit has reddish flesh and is believed to be a hybrid of the native finger lime and Ellendale mandarin. Planted mostly as an ornamental tree, this species is only suitable for experienced citrus growers.

3. Calamondin Lime: Sometimes called a musk lime, these lime trees are found mostly in China and the Philippines. Used to prepare many delicacies, this sweet and watery fruit is common in many chutney recipes as well as cranberry sauces, marmalade and papaya juices. Those who use this fruit for culinary purposes often stew the rind and add it to meat and poultry dishes.

4. Key Lime trees: Commonly referred to as “the bartender’s lime” this is quite possibly the most popular and easily assessable type of lime. These small and ornamental lime trees are grown in areas of Mexico, the Florida Keys and West Indies. This tree is unique from other citrus baring plants because the fruit can range in color from yellow to bright green regardless of the time of year. Yellow key limes are common and can be easily mistaken for a lemon.

5. Limetta: Where the Limetta originates from is not known for sure. However, most cultivating experts agree that these lime trees are more than likely a hybrid of the Mexican Lime and a sweet Lemon which was grown originally in India.

6. Mandarin Lime: The history behind the Mandarin Lime is an interesting one. Found in Tahiti in 1813, these sweet but sometimes bitter fruit were presented to the Queens and Kings of England and France by explorers. Though these lime trees are only cultivated by a handful of commercial companies, they can be found growing wild on the Caroline Islands.

This tree is a great plant for the indoors though it does not like the full sun or air drafts. If grown in the northern climates, grow lights are an excellent source of light. The tree should be planted in a light soil mix of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite. It should also have good drainage and needs to be watered every few weeks. Do allow the soil to dry out between watering as the roots will rot if left sitting in water.

If planted in a container, the tree will not grow larger than 8 feet. The tree itself has thorns, but the fruit is worth the effort. It is not freeze tolerant, so do not place the tree outside in the winter. Do keep it warm, as it loves the heat and will blossom if kept in 80 to 90 degrees.

Be sure to mist the leaves with a water spray daily. The trees love humidity.

The lemon blossoms of the Ponderosa Lemon Tree are very sweet smelling and do need to be pollinated by hand. To pollinate, use a small paint brush and rub the pollen within the flower. Fruit will ripen in approximately 6 to 9 months.

Fertilize the tree approximately every six months using citrus tree fertilizer or an acid loving water soluble product.

The lemon tree is usually grown by grafting cuttings to various citrus root stocks and can also be grown from seed. Be sure to check with your local nursery or a reputable online nursery for great trees.

Since these trees are very easy to care for, you have no problems having natural lemon juice for cooking and the fruit because of its size and bumpy skin is a wonderful conversation starter. Enjoy

Lemon Martini with real Lemon Drops

This is a fun but sophisticated drink that’s so easy to use when entertaining. The added bits of lemon rind and lemon drops bring out the kid in anybody…even while enjoying such a grown up drink! Even Oprah is a lover of this fun and festive beverage!

1.5 ounces vodka
1 ounce triple sec
1 tsp. Superfine Sugar
2 ounces fresh lemon juice
Lemon zest or peel for garnish
Lemon drop candies

Place first four ingredients in a martini shaker filled with ice. Shake gently until sugar is dissolved. Place a couple of lemon drop candies in the bottom of a sugar rimmed martini glass. Add cocktail mix and garnish with lemon peel or zest and a fresh mint leaf if desired. Sip and enjoy!

Non Alcoholic Lemon Breeze

This drink can be served up in a special glass such as one that you might use for a lemon martini, but it is completely non alcoholic for those who choose not to have any alcohol at all. It’s simple and quick and oh so pretty. In a glass, pour 1/3 lemonade, 1/3 pineapple juice, and 1/3 soda. Add some crushed ice and top with a piece of candied lemon rind, or a fresh lemon wedge.

Lemon Mint Cocktail

Believe it or not, the combination of lemon and mint is very intriguing. If you’re looking for a holiday drink this season that’s light, refreshing and a little bit different, be sure to give this one a try! It couldn’t be any easier to prepare, and served up in a nice Collins glass, it adds a really special holiday touch!

In a tall glass such as a Collins glass, combine over crushed ice, 1 ounce peppermint schnapps and 6 ounces lemonade. Garnish with a red cherry, green mint leaf and a wedge of fresh lemon.

Step One:

Take your time choosing your tree’s container.

The best container to use will be approximately 6 inches larger than the container your tree was sold in. You will also want to look for a container that has larger than average drainage holes. A dwarf eureka lemon tree needs well drained soil to maintain a healthy root system, a container that has smaller drainage holes will lead to soggy and weak roots.

Step Two:

Take your time choosing your potting soil.

A dwarf eureka lemon tree will actually prefer sandy, dry soil and will not do well in most retail brands of potting soil. To begin planting your tree start by filling your container half way with loose, dry soil.

Step Three:

Take your time planting your tree.

Citrus trees as a species are less hardy than other tree types and can be fragile while being transplanted or placed into a new container. To begin planting your dwarf eureka lemon tree carefully remove it from its original pot and lightly shake the access soil from the roots. Be carefully not to damage the smaller, newly formed roots. Now, place the tree into your container and fill the remaining space with your sandy potting soil, packing it down firmly as you go.

Step Four:

Take your time watering your new citrus tree.

Dwarf eureka lemon trees love moist soil and need to be watered every day. If you are keeping your container tree indoors you may want to keep a small misting bottle and give the leaves a light spray every morning. You may also wipe the leaves of your citrus tree with a damp cloth to remove dust; this is not necessary for plant health but will improve the appearance of an indoor tree.

Step Five:

Take your time enjoying the fruits of your labor.

A dwarf eureka lemon tree is a great house or container plant and can be a lot of fun to own! It is a good idea to replant your tree into a larger pot once every year and you will enjoy bright, juicy fruit every season! Remember, always make time to stop and smell the lemons!

But grapefruit can also be a fantastic addition to our personal bath and body care regime. Grapefruit aromatherapy has been gaining in popularity over the past decade or two and has become a favorite of many for its bright citrusy scent.

The essential oil of the grapefruit provides the base for this invigorating scent and as an oil, it provides many other healing and health improving benefits. The oil is normally produced through a cold pressing process of the rind of the fruit.

Once only grown in the tropics, today, grapefruit is a widely grown citrus tree in the United States and other parts of the world. If you are an aromatherapy lover, here are a few of the ways you can incorporate grapefruit aromatherapy into your goals of maintaining a healthy, happy body and mind.

o A good long soak in a warm tub with small amounts of grapefruit essential oil is said to help alleviate migraines, reduce tension and calm the nervous system.

o The acidic properties make this essential oil a great toner and it is also a fantastic oil to rub into your skin to relieve oily congestion, tone and even reduce the appearance of cellulite.

o By opening clogged oily skin, it can be a great way to detox the liver and kidneys.

o Its relaxing aroma is said to work wonders at overcoming the effects of jet lag. Simply add to a warm bath or relax in a quiet room with an essential oil of grapefruit aromatherapy candle or warm oil burner. Many online stores even offer a grapefruit aromatherapy candle in a small travel tin that packs easily into your luggage so you can relax and unwind once you’ve reached your destination.

o The pore opening properties also help improve circulation which can in turn help with maintain healthy shiny hair and even promote hair growth.

o Inhaling the stimulating scent is also believed to reduce the craving for sweets and control appetite. It is a flavored aromatherapy choice for those wanting to lose weight and in some cases as part of natural treatments of eating disorders.

There are quiet a few lemon trees that make great indoor plants. The most common one would be the Meyer Lemon Tree. The Meyer Lemon Tree is a hybrid between a sweet orange and a true lemon.

The Meyer Lemon Tree will bear fruit when young and the lush leaves make it great as an evergreen tree in your home. This tree produces very fragrant small flowers during the winter months.

These lemon trees grow to approximately 4 to 6 feet tall and is usually 2 to 3 feet wide when making it very prominent in your home.

Because it is in a container, be sure to use a good all purporse soil mix that is slightly acidic or a citrus soil mix you can by at the home stores. These trees do not like to sit in soggy soil, so be sure the container it is well drained.

The Meyer Lemon Tree thrives in approximately 70 degrees and will become dormant when temperature is below 50 degrees.

It loves at least 8 hours of full sun each day and in the warmer climates, can be grown in partial sun. During the summer, go ahead and put the lemon tree outside for a little bit to get a shot of “natural” sun.

Meyer Lemon trees are very generous with their fruit and they are one of the hardier fruit trees. The smell from their fragrant blossoms is always a pleasure to have in the home.

Check with your local home store, and better yet, check with your local nursery for these wonderful Meyer Lemon Trees. It is fun when they bear fruit and you can make lemon pies with “real” lemons.

First, the proper type of fertilizer is important. Citrus trees thrive in sandy soils, and this soil does not hold nutrients well. Also, citrus trees can not use the ordinary plant fertilizer. You will need to use fertilizers specific for citrus trees, which are a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, along with small amounts of 10 other ingredients.

Second, figure how much fertilizer to use. The amount is determined by the nitrogen content of the fertilizer. New citrus trees should get 2 ounces of nitrogen, then increased by 4 ounces each year. Established trees can use 1 to 1 – 1/2 pounds of nitrogen yearly.

To determine the nitrogen quantity in your fertilizer, multiply the weight of the fertilizer by the percentage of total nitrogen on the label. Two cups of granular fertilizer equals approximately one pound.

Third, determine when to use citrus tree fertilizer. If you have a young citrus tree and it needs a healthy root system, it will need to be fertilized eight times in the first year.

If you have an established fruit bearing citrus tree, it should be fertilized three times a year – usually in March, May and then October.

Also, try and spray your citrus tree with a citrus nutritional spray each month, from February to October. This will help balance the micro nutrients and give the foliage a lush look.

Use these recommendations, along with using a quality fertilizer, and your citrus tree will reward you with sweet fruit and luscious leaves.

Vitamin C is also used to keep your joints, bones and skin strong. It also helps heal wounds and helps the immune system.

So, every morning, to help your body fight off disease and stress, drink a large glass of orange, lemon or grapefruit juice.  Your body will love you for it.

Whether you use the juice for an effective and safe repellent or the lemon zest as a natural deodorizer, you will soon find yourself plucking fruit from your tree a lot more often.

Here are 7 ways to get the most from your lemon zest, juice and peel.

All purpose cleaner

Begin by mixing equal parts lemon juice and water. Warm the mixture for a few minutes in the microwave and leave to cool. Once your mixture is back to room temperature, pour it into a spray bottle and use to clean any of your household surfaces. This all natural lemon cleaner is great on windows, floors, kitchen counters and even bathroom tiles! And best of all, it’s completely safe for children and pets!

Ant deterrent

Spraying Lemon juice in an area where ants seem to gather will act as a deterrent and can help to prevent reoccurring invasions!

Refrigerator deodorizer

A small container of lemon zest placed inside the fridge will help to absorb and eliminate unpleasant food odors!

Microwave miracle

Do you scrub for hours to remove tough cooked-on food from the tray and walls of your microwave? Try microwaving some slices of fruit from your tree first. The evaporated juice will help to soften harden food and you will be able to wipe the interior clean in half the time!

Toilet bowl deodorizer

To give your toilet bowl a clean, but pleasant smell add a small amount of lemon juice to the bowl water after using your preferred bowl cleaner. The juice will help to lift the chemical smells which heavier strength cleaners leave behind!

Laundry uses

Adding lemon juice to your wash can help to remove grass stains and can also help to give clothes a fresh, energizing scent!

Hand scrub

Cooking is enjoyable, but the smell left on hands isn’t. To remove the lingering scent of garlic, fish or onions from your hands rub them with a small amount of lemon zest and rinse! This is an old wives tip that really works!

Fruit thinning of your citrus trees will also help promote canopy growth in your young trees.

Citrus fruit trees sometimes have a large fruit crop one year, and then a small fruit crop the next. Fruit thinning will help take care of this problem and give you a great fruit crop each year.

The easiest way to remove small citrus fruit, is just to pinch the small stem and twist it off.  Be sure NOT to remove more than 15% of the fruit as anything over that amount will greatly affect your tree.

Orange trees can grow to 50 feet, so when you are looking for a place to plant it, you want to keep the height in mind. It should have a lot of open space with plenty of room to expand.

The soil for the orange tree needs to allow for the extensive root system as the large trees need a lot of support. The soil should be sandy and have good drainage.

The most popular orange tree is the Washington Navel. The Washington Navel came from Brazil in the early 1800s and then moved to Florida. It has one of the biggest oranges around. It is not as juicy as other oranges, but has a very tangy flavor. This tree is the most used orange tree by commercial growers.

Another popular orange tree is the Trovita. It was created in a California lab in the early 1900s when they were experimenting with new types of citruses. The tree began being marketed around 1940. The Trovita does not have a strong taste and does have a lot of seeds. But it is very hardy and is adaptable to hot humid climates. A lot of the popular oranges in Florida are the Trovita.

The Valencia is one of the most popular orange trees in the southern states and in South Africa. The Rhode Red Valencia was created around 1960 and is another very hardy orange tree. The oranges are juicier and less acidic that the standard Valencia oranges.

Orange trees are great plants to have in your yard. Once they are planted, they require little maintenance and you will have wonderful oranges for years to come.

Before you buy an orange tree, be sure to check with your local nursery and see if the type of tree you want will flourish in your area.

Here is a quick reference guide to some of the most common citrus tree pests:

Aphids: Though it is next to impossible to not have any aphids present while growing trees, they can grow in numbers rapidly and can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time. The marks left by aphids are often confused with other citrus diseases because of the dark marks which appear on the leaves. Aphids can damage a tree’s growth by sucking the sap from their leaves and causing leaves to drop and dry.

Citrus White fly: A common pest to appear on all types of citrus trees, Whiteflies are a winged insect close in size to a common fruit fly. Whiteflies will often hide on the underside of a tree’s leaves and suck the honeydew sap from the leaves veins. Similar to aphids the damage left by whiteflies is often confused with leaf rot and is similar in appearance to mould.

Orange-dog caterpillars: A large insect, orange-dog caterpillars will eat and rip the edges of a trees leaves. Though this type of caterpillar is most common in Florida it can be found on plants which have been imported and sold in other regions. The best way to rid your tree of orange-dog caterpillars is to remove them by hand. But be warned, when disturbed this species will spring two red “horns” from its head and spray a foil smelling odor.

Citrus Thrips: One of the most damaging of all citrus diseases and pests, the citrus thrip will ruin a young tree’s leaves, fruit, blossoms and roots. These persistent pests are yellow and orange in color and can usually be found on the underside of the tree’s lower leaves. The marks left by citrus thrips will be quite evident as most of the fruit, blossoms and leaves which are attacked will shrivel up and dry out completely.

Citrus Bud mite: Though bud mites can attack any type of citrus tree, they are most commonly found on lemon trees. Bud mites will appear only in hot and humid climates and will enjoy feeding on the lemon blossoms and fruit buds. To rid your plant of bud mites consider using the same all natural sprays that you would to eliminate any citrus diseases.

First thing to keep in mind is climate and location. Do you want to plant the tree directly in your yard or in a container? If you will be planting outdoors you should do some research into which types of trees are most adaptable to your particular climate.

Citrus trees are hardy but they cannot survive below 20 degrees for more than a few hours and thin-skinned fruits like lemons are damaged with anything below 28 degrees.

Citrus trees thrive in the moderate temperatures of California, Florida, Texas and Arizona. However, if you live in a colder region, don’t despair. You can buy a potable citrus tree that you can bring inside during the winter. There are dwarf varieties of most citrus trees that are excellent for this.

You should remember that all citrus trees require frequent deep watering. They also need nutrient rich soil and should be fertilized often if you want them to bear fruit.

Lemon, orange and grapefruit trees all need plenty of sunlight to grow as well as soil that drains well. Well draining soil is necessary to protect roots from rot. Observe your yard carefully before choosing where to plant.

The next important choice in buying a citrus tree is an easy one- which fruit do you most enjoy? (Or perhaps this is the hardest choice). Once you have decided on a particular fruit – lemons for example – do some research on which type will be best for you.

Some people prefer Meyer lemons, which are sweeter while others swear by Lisbons for their tart, tangy flavor. Once you have grown your first citrus tree, you will certainly want to plant others.

In large orchards, citrus trees are grown as huge shrubs, with their branches being low to the ground. For the home grower living in a sunny area, that is also a good idea as it will produce a large harvest. But, if you live in a humid area, remove the lower branches to fight disease and fungus.

When pruning citrus trees, you do not need any large or special equipment. If you have unwanted new growth, simply snap them off with your fingers. For small stems and large wood, you can use hand pruners or even a pruning saw.

When pruning indoor citrus trees, you should prune when they have finished with their blossoms, and before they produce fruit. You can prune by hand, being sure to trim just a little bit at a time.

Dwarf / Patio Key Lime Tree Full Size Fruit

This dwarf key lime tree is perfect for indoors or on the patio. The fruit is full sized and the tree is very hardy and easy to grow.

Calamondin Bonsai Tree

Do you love citrus trees, but have no room. This bonsai tree is perfect. This tree is an indoor tree and actually grows mini oranges you can eat.

Norpro Stainless-Steel Citrus Juice Press

No kitchen should be without a citrus juice press. It extracts all the juice from oranges, limes and lemons. The press is made from stainless steel and is dishwasher safe.

Tribest Citristar Electric Citrus Juicer

This automatic citrus juicer has an auto start and stop. The juice will pour directly into your glass. It is easy to clean and perfect for the cook in your family.