5 May 2025
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There are a few timely jobs to do if you want a good crop of citrus fruit this year, says Kris
Pruning
REMOVAL OF larger branches is best done in wintertime , but to encourage a bushy habit and increase ramify lower down , new growth should now have their tips removed as they reach 4 - 6 in ( 10 - 15 cm ) in length
Watering and feeding
WATER PLANTS at least each week . Smaller pots will need more frequent watering . Citrus like humidness , if this is n’t attain use a fine spray on leafage to forestall leaf emphasis . Through the season supply a summertime citrous fruit feed to the watering can once a week . This will encourage healthy foliage , flower and fruit growth . With this level of feeding it is best to dampen the compost through with rafts of H2O once in summertime and again in autumn to avoid a build up of plant food salts .
efflorescence and yield
Most citrus are self fertile , but mandarin fruiting can be improved by cross pollenation with an orange – simply rise one next to the other . The main blooming should take place in May , but goodly plants will repeat flower through the season , setting yield each time .
stinker in particular can produce too much fruit and may need to be thinned out to prevent harm to branches . Fruit place setting is meliorate by misting the blossom with a ok spray .
pot up
It is best to keep citrus plants in the same batch to hold back a manageable size for moving in and out either side of the season . Rather than repot , the plant life is well countermand in February and the rootball trimmed by 2 in ( 5 centimeter ) all around , then interchange with sweet compost around the exposed root word . However , if your works is rootbound at this time of year , it is best to pot on rather than trim the roots , using a citrus fruit - specific compost or world-wide ground - based mixture with added sand .
Pest and disease
Just like most plants , citrus fruit are prone to pest problems . Red spider mite , whitefly , aphids , thrips , mealybugs , scale , caterpillars and vine weevil can all get problem . As soon as infestation or damage is spotted take appropriate action .
Sprays such as Provado Ultimate Bug Killer should tackle most problems , a specific vine weevil product like BugClear Ultra Vine Weevil Killer will be take if these become a trouble on your plants .
