Sunshine and good soil will yield bumper crops of citrus, and that's not pulp fiction.
By JOHN A. STARNES JR.
Published December 27, 2003
[Photo: John A. Starnes Jr.]
John Starnes grew “own root” trees (that is, not grafted onto a rootstock) that provided key limes, Meyer lemons and grapefruit.
Along with the winter breezes comes the perfume of citrus trees in bloom.
Citrus trees capture the essence of Florida while promising the tantalizing tastes of sour oranges for pork roasts, key limes for pies, grapefruit and sweet oranges for juice blends and tangerines for tasty snacks.
Most trees are sold as grafted plants growing on a nematode-resistant root stock certified as disease free by the Florida Department of Agriculture. This approach works well for homeowners and commercial growers.
If you have a small yard, you might want to look out for a "fruit salad" citrus tree - one that has several varieties grafted on top of the main trunk. Imagine picking tangerines, lemons, grapefruits and oranges all from the same tree!
These days you can buy "own root" citrus trees to avoid the problem of hard freezes' killing off the top and the root stock plant taking its place. I bought an "own root" limequat at a department store garden shop and an Orlando tangelo at the University of South Florida plant sale, and I grew my "own root" key lime from seeds and Meyer lemon from a cutting I rooted. Try a few of these approaches and see what works best for you.
* First, all citrus trees have the same needs: fertile, well-drained humusy soil (not too acidic), full sun and protection from hard freezes.
* Acidic soil may be "sweetened" with a sprinkling of dolomitic limestone each spring. Soil that is too alkaline can be fed each spring with a generous sprinkling of cottonseed meal, sold in 50-pound bags at feed stores.
* Be sure to use a citrus fertilizer with all the trace elements including zinc, manganese, magnesium, iron and copper. Organic gardeners can use menhaden fish meal, Select Series Gro Formula Rabbit Food or Calf Manna sold by feed stores supplied by Manna Pro.
* Make sure to include a 4-inch layer of mulch around the tree (not touching the tree) extending to the reach of the branches. This will help keep the soil moist and add valuable organic matter while suppressing annual weeds. If you have access to horse manure, sprinkle that on your mulch for natural nitrogen, beneficial bacteria and more organic matter.
* A deep watering twice a month during the winter will meet their needs if they are well mulched. (For conservation, I water mine with the "gray water" from my kitchen and shower.)
* Well-fed citrus fall prey to few pests, but if aphids appear, they can be eliminated from new growth with a blast of coarse spray from a garden hose.
Various scale insects might attack citrus trees stressed by chronic hunger and thirst, but they can be controlled with a homemade spray: Mix one cup of Octagon Crystal White dishwashing liquid and two cups of a light vegetable oil in 1 gallon of water and shake it thoroughly until it is emulsified and milky looking.
Pour into a spray tank, pump up the pressure and spray. Shake the tank every couple of minutes as you spray to keep the solution mixed.
Look for your favorite citrus trees at garden shops, start from seed or root some cuttings and indulge in one of the many sweet reasons for living in Florida!
- John A. Starnes Jr., born in Key West, is an avid organic gardener and rosarian who studies, collects, cultivates and hybridizes roses for the diverse regions of Florida. He can be reached at JohnAStarnes@aol.com
