How to set lots of blooms for citrus fruit quality
and thin skinned satsumas
Fertilize with Nitrogen according to tree age and crop load.
Fertilize early, well in advance of blooming
Protect foliage from winter damage to avoid leaf drop.
Prevent injury to foliage by Red Mites,etc.
Water trees diligently from budbreak through early fruit drop.
Fertility
Citrus are evergreen plants & relatively heavy nutrient consumers.
Nitrogen is main element of concern.
Applied annually
Split applications most efficient
Slow-release may be effective in some sites.
Soil & Leaf testing identifies need of other elements.
Collect current-season spring flush leaves in August for leaf analysis
Without testing, use complete fertilizer with minor nutrients
Nitrogen is key
For trees 7+ years old and healthy
Apply 1.0 to 1.5 pounds actual Nitrogen per tree per year
Divide into 2 or 3 doses
60%, 20%, 20%
Valentines Day
Mother’s Day
Father’s Day
In years with poor April Bloom or poor May fruit retention, skip applications 2 & 3.
Use granular fertilizer (no spikes). Broadcast under tree canopy. Water in with sprinklers or rainfall.
Citrus trees require ample fertilizer!
and thin skinned satsumas
Fertilize with Nitrogen according to tree age and crop load.
Fertilize early, well in advance of blooming
Protect foliage from winter damage to avoid leaf drop.
Prevent injury to foliage by Red Mites,etc.
Water trees diligently from budbreak through early fruit drop.
Fertility
Citrus are evergreen plants & relatively heavy nutrient consumers.
Nitrogen is main element of concern.
Applied annually
Split applications most efficient
Slow-release may be effective in some sites.
Soil & Leaf testing identifies need of other elements.
Collect current-season spring flush leaves in August for leaf analysis
Without testing, use complete fertilizer with minor nutrients
Nitrogen is key
For trees 7+ years old and healthy
Apply 1.0 to 1.5 pounds actual Nitrogen per tree per year
Divide into 2 or 3 doses
60%, 20%, 20%
Valentines Day
Mother’s Day
Father’s Day
In years with poor April Bloom or poor May fruit retention, skip applications 2 & 3.
Use granular fertilizer (no spikes). Broadcast under tree canopy. Water in with sprinklers or rainfall.
Citrus trees require ample fertilizer!
Fertilize 1-3 times per year:
Early budbreak, Fruit Swell, 1” diam.fruit
Fertilizer for Young Citrus
Apply 3 times (March, May, July)
Remove any fruit that sets first two years.
Delay or cease fertilizing plants that are not establishing well.
Early budbreak, Fruit Swell, 1” diam.fruit
Fertilizer for Young Citrus
Apply 3 times (March, May, July)
Remove any fruit that sets first two years.
Delay or cease fertilizing plants that are not establishing well.
Spring Irrigation
Water stress during bloom/set period can reduce number of fruit per tree.
Increased flower abortion, especially young trees.
Fruit size can be reduced by water stress during the early swell period.
Irrigate when soil moisture drops below 66% of available water