Citrus Trees: The Zesty Challenge That’ll Keep You on Your Toes!
Buckle up, citrus crusader, because growing citrus trees is like adopting a sassy, sun-loving pet that demands your undivided attention! This guide’s packed with juicy tips from my years as a fruit tree wrangler, served with a twist of humor to keep you grinning through the graft. Get ready to plant, pamper, and maybe even sweet-talk your citrus trees into producing tangy treasures. Let’s dive in!

Planting Citrus Trees: Dig Deep, Dream Big
Citrus trees are divas that crave deep, well-drained soil and a sunny spotlight. Pick a spot with runoff so water doesn’t loaf around the roots like an uninvited guest. To test drainage, channel your inner mole: grab a post hole digger, bore 3-4 feet down, and fill the hole with water. If it drains in 24 hours, you’re golden. If it’s still a swamp, dodge that spot or build a raised bed—citrus trees hate wet feet more than a cat hates a bath.
Soil pH? Aim for slightly acidic to neutral (6-7.5). Alkaline soils (above 8.0) or calcareous, lime-heavy ones are a citrus tree’s kryptonite, causing lime-induced chlorosis—think yellow, sulky leaves that scream, “I’m not happy!” Check your soil, or your tree might stage a protest.

Planting Like a Pro (No Shovel Fumbles Allowed)
Clear a 3-foot circle around your planting site—grass and weeds are party crashers that steal your tree’s snacks. No mulch! It traps moisture like a soggy sponge, inviting fungal freeloaders. You want air twirling around the tree’s base like it’s dancing at a citrus samba.
Pick a sunny spot and dig a hole 4-6 inches wider than the root ball and 4 inches deeper. Fill it halfway with water to set the mood. For container trees, roll the pot gently on the ground (like you’re flirting with it), squeeze out the root ball, and keep it intact—don’t let it crumble like a bad cookie. Spread any circling roots with your fingers, like you’re untangling Christmas lights. Center the tree, backfill with soil, and water as you go to banish air pockets. The trunk’s base should sit 1 inch above ground. Pat the soil like you’re burping a baby, then build a 8-10-inch-wide moat around the trunk to trap water like a citrus kiddie pool.
Got a citrus pot? Don’t roll it—slice the container open with a razor like a fruit ninja. Shake the tree gently into the hole, teasing roots loose and letting the tap root stretch straight down like it’s reaching for buried treasure. Add soil, wiggle the tree, and water as you fill.

Boost Those Roots with Fungi Friends
Sprinkle some mycorrhizal fungi into the planting hole—it’s like giving your roots a superhero sidekick that slurps up water and nutrients. Strong roots = happy tree, and who doesn’t want a tree that’s basically flexing in the breeze?

Watering: Don’t Drown the Diva
Young citrus trees are thirsty but not that thirsty. Water three times a week for the first two weeks, then drop to twice weekly after week three. In Florida’s rainy season, Mother Nature might handle it, so don’t double-dip. Mature trees need a good soak every two weeks, but let the soil dry out between drinks—citrus trees get root rot faster than you can say “soggy socks.” No mulch, remember? It’s the citrus equivalent of wearing wet sneakers.

Feed Me, Seymour! Nutrition Is Non-Negotiable
Skimp on food, and your citrus tree will ghost you with zero fruit. One month after planting, toss a small handful of citrus-specific fertilizer (with minor elements) around the drip line monthly in spring and summer. This encourages roots to stretch out like they’re chasing a food truck. Overfeeding is worse than underfeeding—think of it as giving your tree a triple espresso. And for the love of lemons, never use fertilizer spikes! They’re the citrus world’s equivalent of a bad tattoo.
Try Vigoro 6-4-6 granular fertilizer (non-organic, read the label!) for container or landscape trees. For organic vibes, check out Espoma Citrus Tone, Cottonseed Meal (acid lovers’ delight), or Jobe’s Fruit and Citrus. Want to go full hippie? Brew some compost tea—it’s like a nutrient-packed smoothie for your tree, but only as good as the organic goodies you toss in. Sip it regularly (well, your tree should).

​Fertilizing Schedule: Mark Your Calendar
Feed from late February to late September. Here’s the citrus must-haves:
  1. Citrus fertilizer: Monthly in spring/summer.
  2. Citrus nutritional sprays: Monthly in fall/winter.
  3. Foliar sprays: For trees under 3 years, use 20-20-20 water-soluble fertilizer every 6 weeks in spring/summer. For 3+ years, switch to 10-15-10 to dial down nitrogen and crank up blooms and fruit.
Container trees? Rinse pots twice a year to flush salt buildup—think of it as a spa detox. Tweak as you learn your tree’s quirks, and it’ll reward you with fruit juicier than a gossip mag.

Rootstock Rundown: The Unsung Hero
Citrus trees are grafted onto rootstocks, and for years, sour orange was the rockstar. It’s cold-tolerant, thrives in diverse soils, yields like a champ, and shrugs off wet feet. But—plot twist—it’s a magnet for Citrus Tristeza Virus (CTV), spread by pesky aphids. CTV’s been knocking out sour orange trees like a bad flu, so modern rootstocks are stealing the show, tailored to Florida’s regions. Ask your nursery what’s hot for your zone.

​Citrus Is a Commitment, Not a Fling
Growing citrus isn’t for folks too busy to notice their tree’s mood swings. Pay attention, and it’ll pay you back with fruit that’ll make your taste buds tango. Ignore it, and you’ll have a grumpy stick instead of a tree. Watch our planting video (#) (coming soon!) for the full scoop, and dive into the citrus adventure with a shovel and a smile. Happy growing, you zesty legend!
Picture
Yellow leaves like these indicate lime-induced chlorosis

Keep your citrus trees healthy
Use organic nutritional sprays, quality 
fertilizers and beneficial soil fungi

Citrus Pest Patrol: Outsmarting the Bugs with a Chuckle!

Welcome to the wild world of citrus pest control, where tiny bugs throw big tantrums, and we’re here to slap ‘em down with some know-how and a smirk. Growing citrus is a rollercoaster, but armed with this guide, you’ll be ready to fend off the creepy crawlies and keep your trees zesty. Let’s meet two of Florida’s most annoying citrus villains and learn how to send ‘em packing—organically, if you’re feeling extra crunchy!

Villain #1: The Asian Citrus Psyllid—Leaf-Curling Menace

Say hello to the Asian Citrus Psyllid, a pint-sized jerk that munches on your tree’s fresh, baby leaves like they’re a gourmet salad. You’ll spot its handiwork by the curled, twisted young leaves that look like they got a bad perm. This pest doesn’t just nibble—it injects toxins while slurping plant juices, leaving your tree stressed and sassy. Worse? It’s the main spreader of citrus greening (aka Huanglongbing), a disease that’s the citrus equivalent of a zombie apocalypse. It’s terrorized Florida and is now photobombed in California and Texas.

How to Fight Back: Spray those psyllids with Spinosad, an organic bug-buster that’ll make them regret crashing your citrus party. Catch ‘em early during new growth flushes, and check leaves for curling to stay ahead. You can also use neem oil, an organic insecticide that doubles as a fungicide—think of it as the Swiss Army knife of pest control. Grab some neem here (#) and show those psyllids who’s boss!

Villain #2: The Citrus Leafminer—Moth of Mayhem

Next up is the Citrus Leafminer, a tiny moth that acts like it’s auditioning for a horror flick. Its larvae tunnel through young leaves, leaving silvery, squiggly trails that look like a toddler doodled with a sparkler. Come spring and summer, these pests multiply faster than bad TikTok trends, especially when it’s hot and humid. The damage weakens your tree’s growth and makes it pout like a neglected houseplant.
To make matters worse, Florida’s summer rains turn your scarred leaves into a playground for citrus canker, a bacterial disease that thrives in wet, damaged foliage. Canker’s like the annoying friend who shows up uninvited and trashes the place.

How to Fight Back: Spinosad is your MVP here, too—it zaps leafminers like a bug-sized taser. Spray during spring and summer flushes to stop the larvae before they turn your leaves into abstract art. Click here to get Spinosad (#) and save your trees from looking like a moth’s canvas. For extra defense, hang citrus leafminer traps to snag the adults before they lay eggs—think of it as setting up a bug bouncer at the club. Copper-based fungicides are your go-to for keeping canker in check; they’re like a force field for your leaves.

Bonus Pest: The Blue Green Root-Eating Beetle

Some folks swear by Sevin (non-organic) to tackle this root-munching beetle, but I’ve dodged it so far—lucky me! For an organic fix, try nematodes or milky spore to send those beetles to bug purgatory. It’s like hiring microscopic hitmen to protect your roots.

Chill Out, You’ve Got This!

If you’re sweating bullets thinking about these pests, take a deep breath and maybe a sip of lemonade (from store-bought lemons, for now). You’re already light-years ahead of the average Joe with this info. Citrus growing can be a challenge, but it’s totally doable—even organically, if you’re ready to embrace your inner tree hugger.

Organic Arsenal Recap:
  • Spinosad: Kicks leafminer and psyllid butts. Get it now (#)!
  • Neem Oil: Insecticide and fungicide in one—nature’s multitool. Snag some here (#).
  • Copper Fungicides: Your shield against citrus canker.
  • Leafminer Traps: Stop moths before they start. Grab traps here (#).
  • Nematodes/Milky Spore: Organic beetle bouncers for roots.

Pro Tip: Spray during early morning or late evening to avoid burning your leaves, and always read product labels—don’t be the guy who wings it and ends up with a grumpy tree. Keep an eye on your citrus like it’s a mischievous puppy, and you’ll be rewarded with fruit so good, you’ll forget these pests ever existed. Check out our pest control video (#) (coming soon!) for more tricks, and go grow some citrus that’ll make your neighbors jealous. Happy bug-busting, you citrus superhero!

Spinosad is a must have to control leaf miners and is available here.