If you’re looking to grow something delicious and rewarding in your garden, consider growing an orange tree. Growing citrus fruit is a wonderful way to get fresh fruit right off your own land. However, orange trees can be temperamental, so make sure that yours gets the right amount of sun, water and nutrients.
Orange trees thrive in warm climates
Orange trees are native to tropical and subtropical climates. They need warm weather and a lot of light, so they won’t grow well in cold climates outside their natural habitat. Orange trees will not tolerate freezing temperatures, which is why they’re not suited to indoor growing either.
In addition to warm weather, orange trees need lots of sunlight (at least six hours per day) if they’re going to thrive and produce fruit.
If you live in a cold climate, start your orange tree in a pot indoors
If you live in a warm climate, and can plant your orange tree directly in the ground, feel free to skip the next section on potting. But if you live in a colder climate that doesn’t offer a long growing season (or if you just want to be extra cautious), start your orange tree in a pot indoors. This will allow you to move the plant around as needed and bring it inside when frost threatens. A potted citrus tree is also less vulnerable to deer or other pests that might try to eat it. And since it’s easier for water and fertilizer to reach roots when they’re not buried underground, there’s no need to fertilize your tree as often either!
You’ll need to get a tree or plant one from seed
If you’re ready to grow an orange tree, you’ll need to get a tree or plant one from seed. You can buy a seedling from a nursery or order seeds online. To grow your own dwarf orange tree, start with orange trees that have been grafted onto rootstock of another citrus variety and then heavily pruned to encourage new growth.
Once you’ve purchased your tree or plants, plant them in well-drained soil with good drainage and plenty of organic matter (organic mulch, compost). Orange trees grow best in full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade if given sufficient water; they do not tolerate low humidity levels well so they should be planted in areas where they receive plenty of moisture through rainfall or irrigation systems.
Orange trees will begin producing fruit within three years after planting—but don’t expect much at first! The first harvest will probably only be enough to make juice for yourself, but over time you should see larger harvests as the plant matures into its prime production years between 15 and 30 years old.
Whether you buy an orange tree or plant one from seed, it’s essential to plant your new tree in well-drained soil
Whether you buy an orange tree or plant one from seed, it’s essential to plant your new tree in well-drained soil. If the ground is too porous, the roots of your tree will be unable to absorb water and nutrients. In addition to being well drained, the soil should also be fertile (although not overly rich) and pH balanced. It should also be well aerated—this can be achieved by mixing sand into the top layer of soil prior to planting.
Water the tree daily until the soil is moist 2 inches down
Water the tree daily until the soil is moist 2 inches down. If you can’t water daily, water twice a week. As soon as the trees begin to bud, increase watering slightly to ensure that they don’t dry out during their most vulnerable period of growth.
Watering frequency should be adjusted according to weather conditions and desired results. If it is very hot and dry outside, your orange tree will need more frequent watering than if it were cool and overcast outside.
The soil should be moist 2 inches down
The soil should be moist 2 inches down.
In general, the soil should be moist 1 inch below the surface in warm weather and 2 inches down in hot weather. Soak the soil only when it feels dry to the touch 1 inch below the surface in warm weather and 2 inches down in hot weather.
After watering the tree for several weeks, water it every three days, however, test the soil to see if it’s moist 2 inches down before watering
After watering the tree for several weeks, water it every three days, however, test the soil to see if it’s moist 2 inches down before watering.
- Watering frequency depends on the weather
- Soil should be moist 2 inches down in warm weather and 2 inches down in hot weather
Soak the soil only when it feels dry to the touch 1 inch below the surface in warm weather and 2 inches down in hot weather
You can tell if your soil is moist enough by probing 1 inch below the surface. It should feel moist to the touch; if it feels dry, water the plant. To determine how much water to give your tree, dig down another 2 inches (in hot weather) or 1 inch (in warm weather). If you hit dry soil there, then don’t water at this time.
A partially sunny location is ideal for an orange tree. If you live in a climate that often has frost or freezes, your orange tree will need a sunny southern-facing window indoors
The ideal location for an orange tree is partially sunny. If you live in a climate that often has frost or freezes, your orange tree will need a sunny southern-facing window indoors. Otherwise, plant your tree outdoors in a sunny spot.
Decide whether you want to grow an indoor or outdoor orange tree. If you choose to grow an outdoor orange tree, talk to someone at your local nursery about which variety does best in your area. Also note that varieties grown for fruit don’t make good houseplants as they can grow too large for most homes and need time outside during the summer months.
In general, if you want to grow an orange tree indoors, choose a variety that does well in this environment. You may also want to invest in one of the dwarf citrus trees that have been bred for indoor growing. If you want to grow your orange tree outdoors and enjoy the fruit, be sure that there are no large dogs or small children in the area who might be tempted by its fragrant branches.
Growing citrus fruit is rewarding and delicious!
Growing citrus fruit is rewarding and delicious! If you want to start a backyard citrus tree, this guide will show you how.
In addition to being cheap and easy, growing your own orange trees can be a fun family project that brings out the best in your kids. They’ll love picking oranges from their own tree, sharing them with friends and family members or even selling them at the market. Plus they’ll learn valuable skills like caring for plants, following directions and taking pride in a job well done.
Conclusion
Growing citrus trees can be rewarding and delicious! They are a great way to add color and flavor to your home, and if you live in an area with a mild climate then you can even grow them outdoors. With proper care and maintenance, your orange tree should produce fruit for years to come!