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.

Tip #1: Add Animal Manure or Seaweed Fertilizer

Animal manure, especially chicken manure is extremely high in nitrogen and potassium, two things that hungry citrus trees love to have in their soil. You can also try a seaweed fertilizer if you are uncomfortable with animal manure. Also, if you find your tree is a bit picky about its soil and planting location try adding some potash to balance all of your soil nutrients.

Tip #2: Location, Location, Location

Though organic citrus care involves many different elements such as plant food, pest control and fertilization, there are also other, more simple points to consider. One of the most important is the planting location. To successfully produce organic fruit you must choose a location where the tree will receive at least eight hours of direct sun each and every day.

Tip #3: Pesticide-Free Pest Removal

The one thing that sets organic citrus care apart from other gardening styles is the avoidance of pesticides. If you are worried about your trees and the number of harmful pests in your region consider releasing some ladybugs into your garden. They will keep the number of aphids down and as a result will lower the number of illness and diseases.

Tip #4: Set a schedule

It is important when considering organic citrus care to become familiar with your trees seasonal changes and needs. For example, while growing fruit your tree will need extra amendments added to the soil and will need new, fresh fertilizer every other day. To stay organized develop a weekly schedule that outlines the different amounts and types of manure, nutrients and fertilizers you’ve used.

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.

While it may not be practical to grow full-sized adult trees indoors, there are hundreds of varieties of dwarf citrus trees that are perfectly suited for in home growing.

The Meyer lemon tree is one popular choice. Its sweetly flavored lemons are great for desserts. Another great tree for bakers is the dwarf key lime tree. The tangy lime it produces makes a fabulous key lime pie.

Moving on to other meals, if you love grapefruit for breakfast consider the dwarf ruby red grapefruit tree. But don’t stop there. The dwarf kumquat tree produces beautiful fruit that can be used to make jams and marmalade.

Another lovely indoor citrus tree is the dwarf mandarin orange. There are several seedless varieties of mandarin trees and the fresh fruit is an excellent garnish for salads or can be eaten by itself as a vitamin-C filled snack.

In general potted trees should be kept outdoors during the warmer months and brought inside as the temperatures hit the 30s. Indoor citrus trees should be misted regularly, fertilized several times a year and re-potted about once a year.

Be careful in choosing container size, if the pot is too large for the plant it will not produce fruit right away. If you are looking to bring a little flavor of the warmer latitudes into your home, consider an investment in an indoor citrus tree garden. It will surely bring you years of enjoyment.

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.

The history of limettas dates back to early Roman times when lemons were used primarily for ornamental purposes. Still grown primarily in the Mediterranean regions, limettas started to make an appearance during the Gold Rush days and to this day California, Arizona and Florida are all popular limetta growing states.

Although a member of the lemon family, limettas have a number of different characteristics that set them apart. Although yellow on the outside like a lemon, the rind is quite bumpy. The flesh has a greenish tinge to it and unlike a lemon that gets your mouth good and puckered, the limetta is quite sweet and not acidic. It has often been described as tasting like homemade lemonade without having to add all that sugar! As its popularity grows, chefs around the world are seeking it out for its wonderfully sweet and juicy flavors.

Some say this fruit is the ultimate one to use for making mouth-watering lemon pie and homemade lemonade. Because it is never bitter, it also makes great sauces to top seafood rice and other dishes. Limettas are also easy to preserve for cooking and baking and once sealed will keep for months, providing zesty lemony flavor whenever you need it. Limettas should be most abundant in produce markets from November to May.

Many online sellers of citrus trees offer limettas in containers for either use as houseplants or for outdoor gardening. It is recommended that limetta trees growing outdoors be brought inside during the colder months to prevent damage.

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One of the easiest and most natural ways to accomplish this is to eat well and supplement our daily diet with immune boosting products like grapefruit extract. This healthy herbal remedy is produced by grinding the pulp and seeds of grapefruit into a usable form for ingesting either as a liquid or capsule. Grapefruit extract is very bitter and is not meant to be used as a beverage.

Most of the diseases our body encounters are caused by a poor PH environment that allows bacteria and viruses to take hold and flourish. If we can create a more alkaline environment inside our system, we can have a head start on keeping these nasty bugs under control. Grapefruit seed extract helps to maintain this chemical balance and create a healthy immune system.

In addition to this ph balancing, grapefruit extract has many additional benefits. If you have been considering starting a grapefruit extract regimen, here is a list of its 5 most common health benefits.

1. It is very high in antioxidants which can help control the free radicals that are indicated in many types of cancer.

2. It can be very helpful in the treatment of acne and scars.

3. Due to its alkaline boosting properties, it can be very beneficial in the treatment of yeast infections as well as other fungal infections such as thrush and athletes foot.

4. The fantastic immune boosting properties make it a great help in increases one’s ability to fight off the common cold and seasonal flu.

5. The pH balancing properties make it an excellent choice for treating digestive upsets such as nausea, diarrhea and indigestion.

Very small amounts of grapefruit extract taken daily can provide long lasting health benefits. Another positive thing that should be mentioned is that there are no known side effects.

It is available at most health food stores and often in the natural herbal supplement section of your pharmacy.

If you plan to harvest your fresh fruit, not for the kitchen but citrus fruit baskets then here are a few ideas which you may want to consider:

Use a unique container:

When arranging your citrus fruit baskets consider using something other than an ordinary wicker or woven basket. Instead pile your fruit into a container which can be used again. For example, try making an arrangement using a glass bowl which can then be used after as an everyday fruit bowl. Or try to arrange your citrus fruit into a glass pitcher, to be used to prepare and serve fresh lemonade!

Include some fruity essentials!

When gathering all of the gifts to include in your citrus fruit baskets try adding a few kitchen tools and essentials into the mix such as a lemon zester, juicer or even a fancy peeler! Other nifty additions could include stir sticks for fruity drinks or a set of summery and festive paper napkins!

Mix it up and add some food to your fruit!

When picking your fresh harvest to give as gifts consider including some food in your citrus fruit basket. For example, if you have decided to give a collection of sweet watery oranges, maybe include some dark chocolate treats which are sure to compliment the fruit. Or if you are giving some bright, savory lemons maybe include some liquors so that your recipient can prepare zesty Lemon Drop Martinis!

Growing you own fruit to use in citrus fruit baskets is a sentimental and creative gift option. Your recipients are sure to appreciate your gardening efforts and will welcome such a thoughtful and useful gesture!

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.

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.

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.

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.

The mandarin orange is originally from China and spread throughout Asia in the 10th century. The plants reached Europe in the early 1800s, and then came to the U.S in 1882.

The mandarin fruit have an easy to peel red-orange skin and is sometimes called a Tangerine. The fruit is smaller and usually sweeter than a regular orange, and are ready to pick in the winter. Some of the available varieties are Satsuma, Pixie and Clementine.

As most citrus trees, they need to be planted in full sun and in well-drained soil.

Young mandarin trees need to be watered frequently, but be sure to let them dry between watering. The more established trees can live off rainfall.

The trees need to be fertilized every 6 weeks, and then once established, only 3 times a year.

Mandarin oranges have a definite citrus smell and taste. I have a orange slice cheesecake recipe where I add these mandarin slices and it is heavenly.

Choosing between the many varieties of citrus trees can be confusing. There seems to be an endless selection of orange trees, grapefruit trees, dwarf lemon bushes and even limetta shrubs. But one of the most unusual and captivating tree species is without a doubt the citron citrus tree.

The citron is a slow growing and small tree with the maximum height of only 8 to 12 feet. It has stiff branches, willowy twigs and oval shaped leaves. The leaves are quite often lemon scented and are evergreen in nature. What many gardeners love most about the citron citrus tree are its large white and purple blossoms which display a brightly colored center.

The fruit of the citron tree is oblong and rather unusual in shape compared to other citrus fruits. Though there are some tree varieties which are more common than others almost all citron fruits are covered with a rough rind with a soft, sweet and watery flesh.

Some varieties of citron citrus tree include the fascinating and unique “fingered citron”, the “Corsican” variety which was introduced to the US by explorers in 1891 and etrog, diamante and Bajoura.

Though the origin of the citron citrus tree is not known for certain, it has been found to have a long and fascinating history. The earliest signs of citron harvesting were found to be in 4000 BC when excavations discovered citron seeds among other food stores and harvesting tools.

Other signs of the citron history include a Jewish coin from 136 BC which depicts a citron-like fruit on one side, a reference made by a Chinese writer in 300AD and records of the fruit being imported into Greece from Persia were it was then cultivated and enjoyed by the privileged in 200 BC.

Today citron citrus trees are found in regions around the world which have steady year-round temperatures with little chance of sudden frost or cold nights. Citrons are used quite often in cooking in places such as Guatemala, Indonesia, India and Porto Rico.

Citron citrus trees require sufficient aeration and need proper and consistent pruning to produce adequate fruit. They will also need regular fertilization, room to produce a large roots and a monitored watering system.

The premise here is that grapefruit, unlike any other fruit contains a supposedly proven ingredient which leads to rapid weight loss and boosted metabolism. The problem is, the weight loss is primarily body fluids, and as soon as the dieter returns to their regular eating patterns, the weight will return as well.

When compared to other diet plans, the grapefruit weight loss diet is based on the same approach as many high protein/ low carb diets. The main rule being to enjoy only lean proteins while avoiding empty carbohydrates and simple sugars. These dietary practices will of course lead to weight loss, but in truth will have the same effects whether the dieter is eating large quantities of grapefruit or not.

If you are considering trying the grapefruit weight loss diet, here is what you can expect as far as meal plans;

Breakfast:
A serving of egg white substitutes

A couple slices of turkey or chicken bacon (products with reduced sodium are ideal)

Half of a large, fresh grapefruit and a tall glass of grapefruit juice or milk

Lunch:

A large salad of mixed greens with a little olive oil based dressing

A single serving of grilled chicken breast or turkey cutlet

Half of a large grapefruit and again, a tall glass of grapefruit juice.

Dinner:

A large serving of lean meat, fish or poultry.

A garden salad with dressing and one half of a large grapefruit.

To drink you can enjoy a glass of grapefruit juice and a half pint of light beer.

Bedtime snack:

A tall glass of milk

And half of a whole grain piece of toast.

Other grapefruit weight loss diet suggestions include:

• Drinking as much water as possible, preferable more than 8 glasses a day

• Kick the soda habit and choose black tea, grapefruit juice or other citrus drinks

• Exercise and physical activity for thirty minutes, three times a week

• Only consume unsweetened grapefruit juice

• Avoid adding sugar to your grapefruit halves

• And finally, all dieters should consult their family doctor before committing to this or any other dietary plan.

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.

From orange chocolate cheesecake to candied chocolate orange peel, the opportunities for creating chocolate orange delights are only limited by your imagination. To get your creative cooking juices flowing, here are two really tasty ways to satisfy any chocolate orange craving.

Chocolate Orange Cocoa

Everyone loves a hot cup of steaming cocoa after some time out in the cold and snow! Next time make it an extra special treat with this recipe for chocolate orange cocoa. This recipe makes a mixture that you can keep for some time in an airtight jar ready to add to some hot water whenever the mood strikes you!

3 Tbsp. Coffee whitener
1 Tbsp. Orange drink crystals
2 Tbsp. Sugar
2 Tbsp. Powdered hot chocolate

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight jar. To make orange chocolate cocoa, add 2 Tbsp. of the mixture to 8 ounces of boiling water. Add a scoop of whipped cream and grate a bit of orange zest on top.

Chocolate Orange Truffles

With holidays just around the corner, these confectionery delights are sure to become a family favorite. They also make a wonderful gift for teachers, friends and co workers when packaged in a festive gift tin or cookie box.

3 Tbsp. Whipping cream
4 Tbsp. Butter
4 squares semi sweet chocolate grated or finely chopped
2 Tbsp orange juice
1 Tsp. Orange zest

Bring butter and cream to a gentle boil. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients. Stir until smooth. Pour into small loaf pan and chill for about two hours.

Once chilled remove dough from fridge and shape into one inch balls. Return balls to fridge for about half an hour. Meanwhile melt 4 ounces of semi sweet chocolate in the top of a double boiler with one Tbsp. vegetable oil. Dip balls in melted chocolate and chill again on waxed paper. Store in fridge.

Whether you have a potted lime tree or a planted dwarf lemon tree, your citrus fruit can be used in endless ways to bring a splash of zesty flavor to your family’s meals.

Here are some important tips to consider while cooking with citrus:

1. Zest can be beautiful but tricky:

Though there are many recipes which call for zest either as a garnish or as an active flavoring, using it can have two very drastic outcomes. One, if zested properly the rind of a lemon can be quite sweet as a perfectly compliment many dishes. However, if the fruit is zested too heavily, the white portion of the rind may be used, tasting surprisingly bitter and sour.

2. Use rind swirls as a decorative and playful garnish:

While cooking with citrus and using fruit as an ingredient it is sometimes a good idea to continue the fruit flavors into the garnish. One of the easiest ways to garnish a dish using citrus fruit is to slice off a long thin ribbon of peel and lay it atop a side dish or soup.

3. Section your fruit while cooking with oranges:

While cooking with oranges it is important to avoid using the tough inner skins and rind. Sectioning a whole citrus fruit is not as difficult as some cooks think. To remove the sweet, watery flesh from an orange simply peel the fruit and gently cut away a thin amount of the inner rind and pith. Once you can see the sections of the orange, carefully cut along the inner side of each section and gently remove the softer fruit flesh.

4. Use as much of your home-grown citrus as possible:

Almost every part of a citrus fruit can be used while cooking. The peel as mentioned is great for garnishing and for zest. But the flesh is also a great complimentary addition to salads, cocktails or even desserts. And to make sure you get all you can from your freshly harvested fruits, the juice can be used as a quick and easy base for many salad dressings!

5. And finally, don’t limit yourself to sweets and desserts!

Cooking with citrus does not mean that you are limited to creating sweet baking treats and desserts. Citrus fruit is great when partnered with common fish such as salmon, both roasted and grilled chicken, stir fired and barbecued beef and even delicate sea foods such as oysters and lobster!

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.

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!

Knowing how to recognize fruit problems is not easy and it can take quite a bit of time to familiarize yourself with the signs, warnings and characteristics of each type of fruit-related ailment. However, not all citrus tree fruit problems are common in North American regions.

The two most common types of fruit diseases are referred to as fruit drop and citrus scab. Here is a brief description of each:

Fruit Drop: The signs of severe fruit drop are quite obvious. Early in the fruit formation period, small immature fruit will fall from the tree in large quantities. Though it is normal for a fruit tree to drop some of its fruit as a self-thinning process, an abundance of fallen fruit is a much more serious issue. Fruit drop is most commonly caused by stress, late frost, lack of water, too much water or even inadequate fertilization.

To avoid Fruit Drop consider fertilizing your tree annually in the spring growing season. It is also imperative to use a fertilizer which is specifically designed with the needs and requirements of citrus trees in mind.

Citrus Scab: This fruit infection is common, and can lead to wasted fruit as well as premature leaf drop. Citrus scab can be identified by the accumulation of small brown raised marks on the skin of maturing fruit. Citrus scab may also result in brown, dried areas on leaves and delayed growth and development.

Citrus Scab and other similar citrus tree fruit problems are caused by overly-damp conditions and excessive watering during wetter seasons which lead to a build up of aggressive fungus. Controlling citrus scab is not difficult for the most part and all that is needed is a fungicide spray or treatment.

It is also recommended that you refrain from watering your citrus tree with a sprinkler, as a drip hose near the base of the tree is much more effective and will prevent the spread of citrus scab and other citrus tree fruit problems.

The Satsuma orange was very popular as a “Dooryard” tree in the Houston area until 1911 when a very cold November caused a loss of most of the trees. Even though the Satsuma is one of the hardiest citrus tree varieties, even it couldn’t withstand the 8 degree and colder temperatures. To make matters even worse, the area was hit shortly thereafter by a bad hurricane in 1915 causing over 90% loss of crops. It has been a slow road back to production since then.

The Satsuma is what we typically call a mandarin orange, again referring back to its Japanese roots. It is a sweet, juicy fruit with a very loose skin that makes it extremely easy to peel. The sweetness and lack of seeds make it a particular favourite of children who often find regular oranges too tart to eat. Its popularity among the younger set might also come from its common use in a summer favourite… marshmallow fruit salad!

If you enjoy the challenge of growing citrus trees in containers, you’ll be pleased to know that the Satsuma Orange is a very container friendly variety. Growing your Satsuma in a container will keep its growth to a minimum and you will be easily able to move it indoors during the colder months. Here are a few hints to help you succeed:

o A 20 gallon container is a good size to use, and make sure there are adequate drainage holes in the bottom.

o Use a light, well draining potting mix. It should specify on the package that it is suitable for container growing.

o Apply a slow release fertilizer once e early in the spring. Be certain to follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully as too much fertilizer may damage the tree.

o Plant your Satsuma orange tree where it will receive lots of direct sunlight and water as necessary.

o Bring your container in when temperatures start to droop in the fall. Even moving your container to the garage is easier than trying to protect it with plastic and shelters outdoors.

o Harvest your fruit when it is starting to turn from green to orange in September or October.

The dwarf type can be grown conveniently indoors in a pot or in a yard with limited space. It is said that one adult tree can provide fruit for the whole neighborhood. The Lisbon variety is a hardy tree but prefers a warmer climate.

For areas of the country with frequent frost temperatures the Eureka type is preferable. The Lisbon lemon tree will die back to the roots after a hard frost. The Lisbon has sharp spines in abundance but this is a small drawback considering it’s other useful qualities.

The dwarf Lisbon lemon tree can be traced back originally to Portugal. Today it is one of the most popular varieties of lemon trees in California. The Lisbon needs lots of sun and nutrient rich soil.

It should be fertilized frequently with nitrogen, potassium and organic matter. If potted be sure to keep it well drained. If the tree is kept out of doors part of the year and brought in doors for winter you have two options for keeping it healthy.

If you keep it in the sun while indoors than you need to fertilize it several times in order to promote continued growth. It can also be kept in a cooler room with no sunlight and it will become essentially dormant for the indoor/winter season and will not require fertilization.

With a little work and attention, you are sure to love your tree for many years to come.

Tip 1. When purchasing a key lime tree, first check with your local nursery. Purchase a grafted key lime tree, I wouldn’t try and grow one from seed. If you purchase a tree online, check if there is a guarantee and how the tree will be shipped. It is best to get a tree at least one year old.

Tip 2. A plastic pot with great drainage should be purchased. Be sure the pot is at least 16 inches across. Also, be sure to put some stones in the bottom of the pot before you put in the soil. This will help with draining the water.

Tip 3. Use soil that is light and well draining, and has at least 25% compost material. Plant the tree so that the root crown is just below the surface. Don’t cover the trunk.

Tip 4. Place the tree in a spot where it will get 8 or more hours of direct sunlight. Keep the room temperature around 70 degrees during the day. If the temperature goes below 55 degrees, your key lime tree will become dormant.

Tip 5. Protect the tree from cooling and heating vents as this will damage the leaves.

Tip 6. Water the tree sparingly. Don’t use sterile water, use rain water if possible. Water it well, and then let the soil dry out before you water again. If you use too much water, the tree will get root rot.

Tip 7. Mist the tree with water in a spray bottle as this will give it the humidity it needs.

Tip 8. I recommend using fertilizer specific for citrus trees. Using the wrong or too much fertilizer may kill you tree.

Tip 9. Because the key lime tree is indoors, the bees and bugs from outside can not pollinate your tree. The Tasteful Garden says, “To ensure the setting of fruit when plants are growing indoors, use a small brush to lift the pollen from the stamen (male part of the flower) of one blossom and gently dust it onto the pistil (female part of the flower) in the center of another. Within a few days the pistol should begin to develop a tiny new fruit.”

Tip 10. The key limes will appear in clusters of 6 after the blooms have died. Thin these clusters to around 2 or 3 so your key limes will flourish. If you don’t, you will still get key limes, they will just be smaller.

With fresh lemons as close as your kitchen garden pots, you’re always ready to prepare zesty lemon desserts or savory lemon butter sauces to compliment fish or vegetable dishes. Lemon butter, when sweetened, makes a perfect sauce for cake, especially gingerbread, a tangy yet sweet filling for tarts or pies, or a mouth watering pudding all on its own. Very similar to lemon curd, but a lot easier to make, sweet lemon butter sauce has a variety of yummy uses. Here is a holiday favorite:

Gingerbread with Lemon Butter Sauce

1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
1 egg, beaten
1 c. molasses
2 1/2 c. sifted flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. hot water

Cream together sugar and butter then add beaten eggs and molasses. Blend. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture and stir. Add hot water and beat by hand until smooth. Grease a 9×13 pan and bake at 325 degrees for about 35 minutes.

Lemon Sauce

½ cup sugar
2 tbsp. Corn starch
Pinch salt
2 cups water
¼ cup margarine or butter
1 tbsp lemon zest
3 tbsp. Lemon juice

Combine all ingredients and cook, stirring constantly until thick. Serve over gingerbread.

Lemon butter is equally tasty as a savory sauce over chicken, fish or vegetables. Here is a recipe for an easy and versatile lemon sauce that you’re sure to use over and over again.

Savory Lemon Butter

Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 tsp grated lemon rind
5 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
1.5 tbsp fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter and flour together. Add juice, zest and parsley and cook over low heat until thickened. Add seasonings to taste. Garlic can be added at this point as well if desired. Serve over desired entree.