Page 17 - ALG Issue 1 2025

WINTER SUNSHINE
Zesty and delicious, bright and beautiful, citrus fruits make a great addition to your growing repertoire, as the experts at GrowYour Own magazine explain
FRUIT
GROW A LITTLE
With glossy, deep green leaves, and vibrant fruit baubles in yellows, oranges and greens, these plants cross the border between being decorative and productive – and they are simple to care for.
Citrus fruits need to be located in a bright and sunny position for the best results, and in the UK are often best kept in pots, so they can be brought under cover in the cold winter months for a little extra protection. Remember to harden them off when you put them outside again when the weather gets mild enough.You can buy specially formulated feed and composts for your citrus, or any good-quality, soil-based compost is best, mixed with a little grit. Pot up in spring so the plants have the chance to establish well and grow on throughout the season.The good news is, you only need one plant for fruiting, as citrus are self-fertile.
Pest protection
There are a few pests and diseases to watch out for when growing citrus
fruits.We are unfortunately all probably acquainted with red spider mites, and these little bugs are big fans of citrus. Keep an eye out for mottling on the leaves, and leaves dropping, which are key signs of
an infestation.These pests love dry, hot conditions, so a regular misting of your plants can help prevent the mites from setting up home, but biological controls work well if you do suffer with them.
Mealy bugs are another pest to watch out for, and will live in areas like leaf joints, where they cluster and will be noticeable from their covering of white ‘meal’. Encouraging ladybirds into your space is a simple and effective way of getting rid of them.
Ongoing care and harvest
Citrus trees need feeding all year round, specific summer and winter feeds are available, and the trees will benefit from a change of the top 5cm layer of compost in late spring.The fruits may need thinning out if the plant is looking congested and misting
with water in dry spells. If you are keeping your citrus trees outside, it is a good idea to give them some extra shelter and protection when temperatures dip.
Fruits will be ready to pick when they have reached the desired size and their skin is full and vibrant in colour.
Varieties to try – Citrus x limon ‘Meyer’ (Meyer’s Lemon Tree), Citrus x madurensis (Calamondin Tree), Citrus unshiu (Satsuma), Citrus x latifolia ‘Tahiti’ (Tahiti Lime)
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Allotment and Leisure Gardener | Issue 1 2025 | 17