What to Do
Episode: # 13 07/07/07
Presenter: Phil Dudman
Growing citrus in containers is easy and there are a couple of really good advantages. For one, the drainage is perfect and because of the compact size, it allows you to grow your favourite citrus just about anywhere. Courtyard, balcony and if you are on the move renting it is a great idea.
Phil just loves the look of them and if you have a lovely ornamental pot it can make an absolutely beautiful feature. There are a few things you need to know to grow citrus beautifully in containers.
Number one is that they need plenty of sunlight; at least 6 hours a day to flower and fruit well.
Moisture is important too. You need to keep the mix evenly moist otherwise you can get problems with early fruit crop. Make sure you start with a top quality potting mix like Yates Waterwise Premium Potting Mix. It has all the little extras like wetting agents and water crystals to help water penetrate into the mix and retain moisture.
Feeding is essential with citrus and the best time to do it is in June, again in August and then one more time in November. A lot of gardeners swear by Dynamic Lifter which is ideal for citrus because it is high in trace elements. One other thing you need is some calcium and you can use Gypsum. Just a small amount spread around in the pot and they will love it.
Citrus do need a regular crop every year after harvesting to keep them compact but if you take all the bits of the end then you may end up with no fruit in the next year. The way to prune it is to take out a couple of major limbs each year that are close to the trunk. No more than around 20% of the total volume of the tree.
The other branches will still flower and bear fruit next season and if you want some more tips on growing citrus then make sure you check out the latest copy of The Garden Guru Newspaper.
Featured Products
Waterwise Premium Potting Mix
Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food
Gypsum Clay Breaker
Presenter: Phil Dudman
Growing citrus in containers is easy and there are a couple of really good advantages. For one, the drainage is perfect and because of the compact size, it allows you to grow your favourite citrus just about anywhere. Courtyard, balcony and if you are on the move renting it is a great idea.
Phil just loves the look of them and if you have a lovely ornamental pot it can make an absolutely beautiful feature. There are a few things you need to know to grow citrus beautifully in containers.
Number one is that they need plenty of sunlight; at least 6 hours a day to flower and fruit well.
Moisture is important too. You need to keep the mix evenly moist otherwise you can get problems with early fruit crop. Make sure you start with a top quality potting mix like Yates Waterwise Premium Potting Mix. It has all the little extras like wetting agents and water crystals to help water penetrate into the mix and retain moisture.
Feeding is essential with citrus and the best time to do it is in June, again in August and then one more time in November. A lot of gardeners swear by Dynamic Lifter which is ideal for citrus because it is high in trace elements. One other thing you need is some calcium and you can use Gypsum. Just a small amount spread around in the pot and they will love it.
Citrus do need a regular crop every year after harvesting to keep them compact but if you take all the bits of the end then you may end up with no fruit in the next year. The way to prune it is to take out a couple of major limbs each year that are close to the trunk. No more than around 20% of the total volume of the tree.
The other branches will still flower and bear fruit next season and if you want some more tips on growing citrus then make sure you check out the latest copy of The Garden Guru Newspaper.
Featured Products
Waterwise Premium Potting Mix
- Wetting agents and water crystals help water penetrate into the mix and retain moisture in containers or in garden soil for release over time.
- Ideal for container grown and garden plants.
- Contains Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food for plant nutrition and to encourage beneficial soil micro-organisms and earthworms.
- Contains coir peat which stores water and nutrients and improves the structure of the mix.
Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food
- This is a versatile feed for all garden, potted and Australian native plants.
- Slow release nutrients improving structure and retention of the soil.
- It also encourages earthworms and is beneficial to soil micro-organisms
Gypsum Clay Breaker
- Helps to soften hard clay soils and improves soil structure.
- Contains trace elements that promote healthy plant growth and seaweed containing natural plant growth promotants.
- Great for garden beds and potted plants.
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