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.

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.

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.

Here is a short description of four of the most popular styles of citrus juice press and how they are used.

Hand held Press

This gadget consists of two half circle cups that hold a halved lemon, lime or orange, and two long handles that you squeeze together to extract the juice. The long handles mean that it takes very little effort to extract the juice. This type of press is perfect for the smaller amounts of juice often required in cooking and baking.

Standing Hand Press

Another manually operated juicer, this works under basically the same principal as the hand held press except that the juice is gathered in a container that is part of the press. Instead of squeezing two handles together, the standing citrus juice press is operated by pulling down a small arm to squeeze the fruit that has been placed in the top part of the press. This method is great for producing single servings of juice for drinking.

Manual Reamer

This handy juicer involves more of a pushing and turning motion than a squeezing one. The reamer sits atop a container and you place a half piece of fruit on it and push and turn it until the juice has been extracted and collected in the container.

Electric Press

If you want to extract larger amounts of juice at one time, an eclectic citrus juice press may be just what you need. There are many varieties available online and in home department stores in a wide range of prices to suit every need and budget.

They function in the same manner as the manual press except that an electric motor does the work instead of you! Many of the electric presses also have a selection of filter baskets that you can use to allow you to select the amount of pulp you want in your juice.

Whichever type of citrus juice press you choose, you are sure to enjoy cooking with and drinking all that fresh and healthy vitamin C!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.