The Green Garden Citrus Plants
Product Ref: 082488449506603
€ 19.99 per item
Create your own citrus paradise with a tree for your home.
AVAILABLE IN ALDI STORE
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Product Information
Add some mediterranean flair to your home with The Green Garden Citrus Plants. This tree is ideal for a balcony or terrace to add a tropical touch to your living space. Bring the tropical paradise to you this year.
- Adds mediterranean flair to any balcony or terrace
- Choose from Calamondin, Chinotto, Kumquat of Lemo
Brand: The Green Garden
Dimensions: Plant: 70-90cm (approx.)
Product Type: Plants & Flowers
Citrus are not hardy in UK OR IRELAND but can be grown in pots outdoors in summer and brought inside for winter. Of all citrus, most gardeners grow lemons; kumquats are the most cold tolerant; others, like limes and grapefruits, need more warmth. The fragrant flowers can appear all year round, but are especially abundant in late winter. Fruit ripens up to 12 months later, so they often flower and fruit at the same time.
Grow
Citrus in pots can be put outdoors in summer, in a sheltered sunny position, but only when temperatures increase, from mid-June until late September. Keep some fleece handy in case of sudden cold nights in early summer. Low temperatures will inhibit flowering and may cause damage or even death.
A minimum winter night temperature of 10°C (50°F) is needed for lemons and limes. Calamondin oranges need a minimum winter night temperature of 13°C (55°F).
Kumquats are unusual citrus, as the fruits are eaten whole – including the skin. Plants are naturally very bushy and highly productive. They can tolerate winter temperatures down to 7°C (45°F) – among the hardiest of all citrus.
Centrally-heated rooms are not ideal for citrus as they are generally too hot, lack humidity and light leading to stress (see below).
Repot plants annually in March, or replace the top 5cm (2in) of old potting media with fresh compost.
Feeding and watering
Citrus are hungry plants and need regular feeding. Use high nitrogen citrus summer feed from late March to October. In winter switch to winter feed that is specific to citrus.
In summer, water freely - ideally with rainwater. In winter, allow the surface to partially dry out before watering, then water thoroughly with tepid rainwater, allowing excess moisture to drain away. Overwatering in winter is one of the commonest problems, so err on the dry side.
Indoors, maintain high humidity by standing the pot on a large saucer or tray filled with ‘Hortag’ or gravel. Keep the water level just below the surface of the gravel, or group plants together. Hand mist regularly, in winter, to ensure pollination.
Training and pruning
Citrus require only minimal pruning.
In February, reshape plants by thinning out overcrowded branches. ‘Leggy’ plants can be pruned back by up to two-thirds and the tallest branch can be cut back to encourage bushy growth.
Throughout the summer, pinch back the tips of the most vigorous growth, using the thumb and forefinger.
Mature plants may produce unwanted, fast-growing shoots called ‘water shoots’. Remove these when they appear from the main branches at the bottom or middle of the plant and shorten those arising near the branch tips. Be especially watchful for shoots from below the graft on the main stem, and remove such shoots immediately.
Plant
Citrus need a bright sunny position. Most only reach 1–1.5m (3–5ft) tall in a pot but can grow larger in good conditions, depending on the rootstock.
They are better grown in pots in a cool climate so they can be moved indoors. Although any good potting medium will do, a soil-based compost such as John Innes No 2 is best. Add up 20 percent sharp sand or grit. There are also specially formulated citrus composts available.
Plant in spring so they have a growing season to establish.
CREDITS: ALDI STORE & https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/fruit/citrus
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