Light

• 8 to 12 hours per day (minimum 6 hours). If needed, supplement with grow lights.
• Insufficient light will lead to fewer flowers and fruit, and less sweet fruit
• Larger and sweeter fruits generally require more light to ripen properly.
• Leggy branches indicate that the plant needs more light.

Water

• Water then the top ½ of the pot feels dry
• Water deeply (until excess water runs out the bottom of the pot). nDo not leave standing in water.
• Citrus should be moist but NEVER soggy
• In winter, water just enough to keep the soil from drying out completely.

Fertilizing

• Citrus are heavy nitrogen feeders – in the spring and summer growing season, use a fertilizer that is higher in Nitrogen than Phosphorus or Potassium.
• We recommend: Jacks Citrus Feed 20-10-20.

Temperature and Humidity

• Citrus grow best between 15°C and 30°C
• Citrus go into dormancy below 15°C and will not tolerate temperatures at or below 0°C.
• A room that is too hot and dry will lower the humidity, causing potential problems such as spider mites.
• Do not put the plant near a heat register.

Potting and Re-potting

• Citrus prefer a soil-based coarse potting soil that is well drained.
• If you have to re-pot the plant (i.e., the roots have filled the pot it is in), use the next pot size up. The pot must have good drainage.
• A pot that is too large for the rootball will not cause the plant to grow faster and bigger!

Defoliation (Leaf Drop)

• Plants may defoliate when:
• they are moved from higher light to lower light (i.e., from outdoors to indoors).
• they are moved from warmer temperatures to cooler temperatures (i.e., from indoors to outdoors).
• Help transition the plants from outdoors to indoors by placing them in shade for a few weeks before bringing inside.
• If your tree is receiving enough light but defoliating, it may be receiving too much or too little water.
• If there is life in the branch, leaves will probably come back. Do some light pruning and improve the conditions.

Fruit Drop

• Fruit drop is normal, especially in hot summer months. If fruit or bloom drop is excessive, proper watering is often the solution.
• Very hot, dry, windy weather will trigger fruit drop. Ensure trees are well watered in these situations.
• Excessive fruit drop accompanied by splitting fruit is the result of too much water uptake aggravated by erratic watering.

Pruning

• Prune any time except winter.
• Pinching back tips of new growth rounds out the trees without affecting future fruit.
• Citrus will look fuller with occasional pruning to shape leggy branches.

Pollination

• Citrus are self-pollinating fruit.
• Bearing age is I to 2 years.

Pests

• Common pests include: Aphids, scale, mealy bugs and spider mites.
• Plants that are stressed are more susceptible to being attacked by pests and diseases.
• If you do see a bug issue, spray with Safer’s End All.