Segment: Taking Care of Citrus Trees
Episode: 13
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane
TX Date: 16th May 2020

Citrus trees produce some incredible fruits, but need to be properly looked after in the garden.

• If your oranges are coming out too sour, it is likely that the soil around the base has become acidic. You can change the pH of your soil by adding potassium and magnesium.
• To do this, add sulphate of potash – about 6 handfuls per tree. You can also put 2 headed spoonfuls of Epsom salts in a watering can and water over the foliage.
• Leaf curl or contortion can be an issue, caused by small caterpillars that hatch from eggs laid in the epidermis of young leaves. You can spray with white oil to control it – moths hate the oil, and it smothers the eggs and young larva.
• Splitting fruit is a common problem this time of year – this is caused when the seasons change and the fruits absorb extra water. The fruit swells as a consequence, literally bursting open.
• If you don’t have much room, dwarf citrus trees are always an option, with Sublime and Lemonicious being great options. They don’t grow too large, but produce great crops of quality fruit. They can be grown in tubs or in a garden bed.
• Citrus trees are gross feeders, prefer a slightly acidic soil and have few pests of consequence. The fruit is incredibly good for you, and can increase your body’s resistance to disease.