Home Grown Citrus!

 
            Hi everybody and welcome! Almost everybody likes the fresh taste of citrus whether it be oranges, grapefruits or tangerines. Sometimes the sweetest most delicious fruit can come from trees that you raised yourself in your own backyard. Today, I am going to talk about growing citrus in your backyard and indoors!

            When most people pick out their favorite oranges or grapefruit at the grocery store, usually the first think they think about is Florida. This delicious fruit was in introduced to our wonderful state in 1565 by Spanish explorers. To top it off, the Orange Blossom is also our state flower. Most of the fruit that is produced in out state is not in South Florida but is in Central Florida in an area that we refer to as growing Zone 9. The reason for this is that in order for the fruit to get its sugar sweet taste, the fruit must be subject to a period of cool temperatures. While growers welcome cool weather, freezing temperatures for more then 4 hours can cause damage to the fruit.

            There are many varieties of citrus available and it is mainly a selection of your own personal choice that should determine which flavor you should buy. Look for healthy trees that have dark green foliage and no signs of disease or insects. Once you make your purchase, it is time to take your prize home and have some fun.

            Citrus like to be planted in areas that have good drainage and a full day of sun. If the area you have chosen for planting floods during heavy rain, build up the ground with some topsoil to keep the roots as much above the water as possible. When planting your tree use a good quality topsoil and be sure you do not plant in an area that will be affected by your sprinkler system. Citrus trees do not like excess water and this can also lead to dry fruit. Do not be tempted to water your tree too often and also remember to keep the area around the tree clear of any grass or mulch. Any of these circumstances can cause potentially lethal fungus diseases to destroy your tree. You should also keep weeds away from the base of your trees to be sure proper drainage is established.

            Another critical ingredient for good citrus growth is fertilizer. Choose a good quality citrus food that has minor elements. You also should apply a minor element spray that contains such ingredients as iron, boron and manganese.

            One mistake that many citrus trees owners do is try to prune their trees. The truth is that citrus trees should never be pruned. You should just let the trees shed their branches naturally. Thunderstorm winds and tropical systems will naturally prune the tree as it sheds its branches.

            For those of you that have limited yard space or live in an apartment, you can purchase dwarf citrus trees that you can grow in a sunny window or on a balcony. You can purchase these trees in Turnpike gift shops, airport gift shops and at gift shops in many of our tourist areas. You can also buy them online. Once you bring your plant home, plant it immediately so it does not stay in the box for long. You should initially plant it in about an 8-inch diameter pot that has good drainage. Use a good quality potting soil such as Miracle Gro. Once your tree is well established in the pot, you can transplant your tree in a 5 to 25 gallon container. Remember, the larger the container you use, the bigger the plant will get.

            Unlike citrus trees planted in the ground, container trees will need frequent watering and occasional pruning. When your tree is young, if you prune a couple of inches off the top, it will allow the tree to spread out some instead of growing tall and skinny. Do not allow the tree to sit in a saucer filled with water. Be sure to drain the water from your saucer if you use one.

            If you have a balcony, you can put your tree outside to get much needed sunlight. If you keep it indoors, choose a location near a sunny window.

            The fruit that is produced from these small trees will be small and usually is not as sweet as it’s larger counterparts but the fruit is great in jellies and also for adding flavor to drinks.

            Next week I will talk a little about a disease that could potentially wipe out our citrus population. That disease is canker. I will see you next week  with more great garden tips!

Holiday Bliss

 
            Hi everybody! With the holidays rapidly approaching, soon one of the most popular plants on earth will soon be available for sale. The plant I am referring to is the colorful Poinsettia plant. These beautiful plants are most commonly known for their red color but they also can come in many other colors such as white, pink and some can even be multi-colored. Since most retailers offer mass displays of these gems, you will have an almost unlimited choice of which plants you will want to bring home. As beautiful as these plants are, they are also very fragile and you must handle them gently or the delicate branches will break and fall off. During my lifetime, I have unpacked and displayed no less then 100,000 of these beauties and I still do not tire of their delicate appearance.

            Poinsettias have an interesting history that dates back to the 14^th century. In fact, during the period from the 14^th to the 16^th century, the Aztec Indians called Poinsettias “Cuetlaxochitle” and they used the sap to control fevers and used the leaves, or bracts, were used to produce a red dye. The actual botanical name for the Poinsettia was named by the German botanist Wilenow and he called it Euphorbia Pulcherria. He first discovered the plant growing through a crack in his greenhouse and he was so amazed at the color of the plant that he gave it that name which means ‘very beautiful”.

            For many years and in fact still today, many people believe that poinsettias are poisonous. The truth is that they are not. It is true, however, that some people are allergic to the white sap of the plant and skin irritation can develop. If you are one of those people with sensitive skin, you should handle the plants with care.

            For a retailer during the holiday season, having a fresh batch of Poinsettias is like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. These wonderful plants create an eye-catching display that will certainly draw a crowd. So, with all these choices, how do I pick that perfect plant? The first thing you want to look for are plants that have been removed from their sleeves. Many retailers will display the plant with the sleeve intact and if the plant sits on the shelf too long, this can cause the leaves to yellow and drop and eventually, the plant may die. It is much better to choose plants that have been removed from their sleeves. If you do choose a plant that is sleeved, remove the plastic as soon as you get the plant home. The next thing you want to look for are plants that have little or no pollen showing on the flower clusters. This is a good indicator of the maturity of the flower bracts. You should always choose plants that have a lush, green color to their foliage and have a good healthy appearance. Avoid plants that look droopy or have yellowing leaves. While choosing your plants, handle the plants carefully so as not to break the adjoining plants so everybody can have a chance at getting a prime looking plant.

            Once you have chosen your gem and you have your plant in it’s new home, some standard TLC will ensure that you get a long lifespan from your new houseguest. If you are keeping your plant indoors and it is not near a good light source, occasionally put it in a sunny location so it can get the light it needs to maintain a healthy look. If the plant starts to drop leaves excessively, it is probably not getting enough bright light and you will need to move it. Always keep your plant away from cold drafts and low temperatures. Poinsettias will not do well if the temperatures drop below 45. You should also check your plants for soil moisture daily and be sure your plant has good drainage and does not sit in standing water. Keep the plant evenly moist but not soaking wet.

            If you follow these simple tips, you should be able to enjoy your plants through the entire holiday season. After the holidays are over, you can plant them outdoors in a protected location, such as under a tree, and you can enjoy them year after year!

            Many retailers will have early shipments of these colorful plants from one to two weeks before Thanksgiving. Shop around for the best prices and plant quality.