Citrus Trees
My mom was visiting Hubby and I over the weekend. While here, she helped us to weed out what we could of the remaining grapefruit and oranges on our trees in the back yard. Mom wondered if the fruit was still good, separated out a bag of the ones she picked from under the tree (not ones in direct sunlight) and opened them up. They were still good, so she made a combination of grape fruit and orange juice. I have to say it was the best tasting of the whole season. Also, on Sunday (Mother’s Day), we were able to talk to my Gram on the phone. Family friends had visited about a month ago, and they had brought a bag of grapefruit from our tree back to Iowa for my Grandpa and Gram. Grandpa reported the fruit was the most delicious he’s had. I bet the Valley’s fruit could be locally sold for a good price, if that is how things actually worked.
In the Valley, almost every block has a house with some kind of citrus tree on it. The thing is some of them bear what is called “sour” fruit, which is really not meant to be eaten. It’s for natural decoration. If you don’t ask the home owners which category their fruit is in, you could be in for a very bitter surprise if you decide to pick from one in the front yard. (It is always a good idea to ask anyway.)
May 16th, 2007 at 10:16 am
We’ve toyed with the idea of doing some citrus trees, but get discouraged because we’re not sure how the heat will affect new growth (it seems to be hit or miss). Do you find that they do ok with just some watering and basic care or do you have to take extra measures to make sure they don’t burn up?
May 16th, 2007 at 11:04 am
Each of our trees are a good 15 feet high and in individual brick planters.
Hubby and I use citrus fertilizer in the spring (on the trees and on the grass), and use the water from our swamp cooler to keep the fruit trees hydrated. On the 120-degree days, without the use of the cool, we water in the evening every two days. The crops from both trees in the last three years have been more than enough to share with at least ten families, with a lot left over. I would say basic care is fine.
Should you buy trees, be sure to get ones born/raised in the Valley, because I believe they would be acclimated to the heat than ones brought in from somewhere else.
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