| Citrus Fruits - are rich in vitamin C, high in fibre and | | | | (fall) or early in the winter months, depending on |
| potassium and contain folic acid. Both oranges and | | | | cultivar, and increases in sweetness from then on. |
| grapefruit have been found to be high in potent | | | | Some citrus, such as grapefruit, can take up to |
| antioxidants. The pain of a bee sting can be relieve | | | | eighteen months to fully ripen. |
| with lemon juice. | | | | Not a lot of pruning is necessary for citrus. You will |
| Most citrus are sweet and are excellent for juicing, | | | | only need to prune dead or diseased wood, or |
| making cordials, marmalade, cooking and baking. | | | | branches that are crossing over each other. |
| The most popular varieties of citrus used by the | | | | Citrus can be susceptible to a number of pests and |
| home gardener include lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange, | | | | diseases. The best way to avoid these organically is |
| mandarin and tangelo. While the fruit is popular with | | | | to make sure you purchase healthy plants that have |
| home gardeners, some people grow citrus trees for | | | | been grafted on rootstocks that are chosen for |
| their attractive glossy evergreen leaves and | | | | hardiness and disease resistance. The best time to |
| sweet-scented flowers. | | | | plant out into the permanent position is during spring |
| Most species are not frost-hardy, but some tolerate | | | | or autumn (fall). |
| light frosts, with the lemon being most cold resistant | | | | Keep your citrus plants healthy by growing them |
| and the lime least cold resistant and best left to | | | | vigorously. The roots tend to be close to the |
| those who live in the subtropics or can provide a | | | | surface, so add organic compost or mulch over the |
| suitable microclimate. | | | | soil, rather than dig it in. Keep it well away from the |
| Citrus need to be grown in well-drained, slightly acidic | | | | trunk to prevent rot problems. |
| loamy soils. Plant them in a position with full sun and | | | | While grass can look nice around your citrus plants, it |
| protect them from winds, especially during the hot | | | | is not a good idea as they do not like to compete |
| months of summer. | | | | with other plants. |
| If your climate is too cold to grow citrus in the | | | | Grow grafted plants purchased from your local |
| ground, you might consider growing dwarf varieties in | | | | nursery as citrus tends to hybridise quite readily, |
| tubs or a glasshouse. | | | | meaning that if you try growing an orange from |
| Citrus need regular watering and feeding. To | | | | seed, you may end up waiting for your mature tree |
| encourage good fruiting citrus plants require large | | | | to fruit and being very disappointed with the resulting |
| amounts of potassium and nitrogen for strong | | | | fruit. |
| growth. | | | | Citrus are quite easy to grow, look delightful in your |
| Most citrus flowers in spring, followed by fruit setting | | | | garden and will nourish you with delicious fruit for |
| soon afterward. The fruit begins to ripen in autumn | | | | many years. |