Citrus trees

The numerous species of citrus trees with their fruits colored in yellow, orange, red and green, of various sizes from the smallest fruits of kumquat to the biggest fruit of pomelos, sweet or sour, are ones of the most delicious fruits and in the same time a precious gift for our health. Who doesn't like an orange, a lemon, a mandarin or a grapefruit? Some of us would even enjoy having his own citrus tree, to have the pleasure to pick up the fresh fruits from his own tree.

Not all the citrus species can be grown in pots, so we must take care what we choose to grow. We can grow them indoor, on a terrace, on balcony, in a greenhouse and even outdoor on the warmer climates. All we need to do is to offer them the right conditions and we will be able to enjoy the pleasant scent of a citrus flowers and of its fruits.

Citrus trees are evergreen, with glossy, dark green, aromatic leaves, usually having white flowers but sometimes can be light-red or violet, with a strong, pleasant scent, wearing 5 petals.

You can try to grow your own citrus tree from seeds that you find inside the fruits that you buy from the market. This can be done all year long, but usually is more proper to do it in autumn or winter, so you can obtain a plant before spring and then to separate the plants in individual pots and take them out in a light place.

It might take several years before a citrus tree grown from seeds to bear fruits, but until then it will make a beautiful evergreen tree. But you can always use your tree for grafting with an other citrus tree that already bear fruits.

If you want to have your tree faster you can always use cuttings from a fruiting tree in spring for obtaining a new tree. 

During the first few years you have to feed your citrus trees with a balanced fertilizer that has a high nitrogen and medium potassium level at a rate of 1 kg per tree per year. This fertilizer should be given in two or three doses, applied at regular intervals around the base of each tree in its growth period. Double the quantity of fertilizer after five years.

Citrus prefer a sunny place and should be protected by windbreaks in exposed areas. They tolerate a wide range of soils but it is best for them to have a fertile, well-drained, slightly acid soils and the young trees respond well to a high soil fertility.

You can try one of the following species of citrus to grow on your own: Limes (Citrus aurantiifolia), Sour, Seville or bitter oranges (Citrus aurantium), Lemons (Citrus limon), Citrons (Citrus medica), Grapefruits (Citrus x paradisi), Mandarins or tangerines (Citrus reticulata), Tangelos or ugli fruits (Citrus x tangelos), Sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis) or Kumquats (Fortunella japonica, F. maragrita).