Growing citrus is a rewarding experience for any home gardener, with a bountiful harvest of delicious juicy fruit to eat.

Here in Queensland our climate is perfect for growing citrus of all types, including oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins, cumquats, and grapefruit, and we here at Capalaba Produce, have everything you need to get started.

So how do we grow citrus successfully?

Before you get the gardening gloves on it’s important to choose the right citrus tree for your situation. There are two options which you can choose from, a dwarf citrus and a full-size citrus. Our dwarf citrus range is the most popular as they’re great for smaller space, easier to maintain, and can even produce a quicker harvest. For those who have a larger space and are wanting a more abundant harvest there is our range of full-size citrus trees. These beautiful trees take up more space in the yard but produce a larger quantity of fruit, making them idea for larger yards and those who love to indulge on a piece of home-grown fruit. 

Citrus thrive in sunny positions that have at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight every day and prefer well-draining slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0 – 7.0). If you don’t know your soil type, come instore, and grab a soil test kit. These are a great way to know exactly what type of soil you are dealing with. Check with our team to see the best products to use to change your soil’s pH if needed, to get the maximum output from your citrus crop this growing season.

Ensure your soil is well-draining, citrus prefer this with more frequent waterings, often they can become susceptible to root rot if their roots are kept constantly waterlogged, as a result excess water can drown your plant. Allow the soil to dry out in between waterings, and water more frequently in warmer weather.

Irregular watering can cause damage to the fruit, such as splitting, dry fruit and even early dropping.

When it comes to maintaining your citrus trees there are a few things you need to keep in mind, including, mulching, fertilising, and pruning.

Using a layer of mulch around the base of your citrus trees is a great way to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate the soil temperature. This is especially beneficial during summer, to help reduce your water bill. Using a feeding mulch such as Who Flung Dung is a great way to feed your plants as you mulch, over time as the mulch breaks down it provides nutrients to the soil and your tree.

Citrus trees need regular fertilising to help increase their cropping and general wellbeing. Use a citrus specific fertiliser that contains all the key nutrients your plant needs. Be sure to follow the instructions and don’t over-fertilise because this can be harmful to your plant. At Capalaba Produce we recommend using Earthlife Fruit Blend for fertlising your citrus trees.

Now is the ideal time to prune citrus trees before the new growth begins. Remove any dead or diseased branches and allow airflow within. Prune to your desired height and shape.

You will want to keep an eye out for common citrus pests like, citrus leaf miners, citrus gall wasps, mites, scale, mealy bug, and aphids. If you see any sign of pests, it’s best to take immediate action to reduce damage and preventative care is important. Check in store with our team for the best advice on how to combat these pests.

Growing citrus is a very rewarding hobby and produces an abundance of fruit throughout the year. Each variety has different conditions, so it’s best to seek guidance from our friendly team when choosing which best suits your needs.

Happy Gardening!