Care of citrus trees

planting

Plant all year round, but it is better to plant in the spring, because in the warm seasons the establishment and growth are prolonged and vigorous.

location

Citrus trees are planted in a place with full sun and not in the lawn. In the grass they will suffer from excess fertilization and water.

pruning

Gardeners Underestimate citrus pruning.

Any pruning to open up light to the center of the tree or to reduce the height, should preferably be done moderately and gradually.
Remove dry, broken, diseased branches, as well as intrusions of borers.
It is advisable to apply wood paste to the cut.
To prevent divisions transferred from the ground shorten the ends of branches
relating to the ground.

irrigation

Try to supply the tree with water according to its size.

Excess water and swampy soil cause mortality.

To establish a large and deep root system, try to water at long intervals and in large portions of water that penetrate deeply.

In sandy soil, light soil or on a slope, water more frequently.

Lack of water causes damage.
The preferred irrigation is done by drip or in a flooded hole.

In areas with a lot of dust, it is advisable every few weeks to wash the top of the tree with a sprinkler and add moisture to the leaves.

Citrus trees planted in containers require a drained substrate and frequent and full bags, until excess water is stored that will wash salts from the root zone.

fertilization

Compost is better, which allows the soil to be kept moist with aeration and prevents sudden salting of chemical fertilizer.

Depending on the size of the tree, give 10-15 liters of compost at the beginning of the summer and a similar amount before the rains in the fall.

Alternatively, you can give “humus” or “bio-gen” every three months according to what is written on the package.
Citrus in containers can be fertilized with “Osmokut” or “Bio-Gan” in small doses.
Deficiencies or excesses of nitrogen (from rapid decomposition of organic matter without adequate washing) damage the tree.
Prevention of chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves due to poor nutrition) is done by balancing fertilization and watering and adding soluble iron (chelate), which allows the tree to absorb nitrogen better.
Yellow leaves with green veins can be strengthened by spraying zinc.

issues are related to the environmental conditions

Frost damage

Frost damage occurs when fruit trees are exposed to freezing temperatures.

It can result in the formation of ice crystals within plant cells, causing cell damage and tissue death.

Frost damage can harm the leaves, buds, flowers, and fruit of fruit trees. Protecting trees from frost often involves covering them or using frost protection methods like heaters or irrigation to raise the temperature in the vicinity of the trees.

sunburn

Sunburn in fruit trees happens when the bark, leaves, or fruit are exposed to excessive sunlight and heat.

This can cause damage to the tree’s tissues, leading to discoloration, scorching, or even death of exposed parts.

To prevent sunburn, tree trunks and branches can be painted with protective coatings or shaded to reduce sun exposure.

fruit drop

Fruit drop refers to the natural shedding of young or immature fruit from trees.

It can occur as part of the tree’s self-regulation mechanism, eliminating excess fruit that it cannot support to maturity.

Abnormal or excessive fruit drops can be a sign of issues like poor pollination, nutrient deficiencies, or water stress.

Leaf fall

Citrus are evergreens that change leaves throughout the year.

Excessive leaf fall can be caused by a number of reasons:

lack of water, lack of nitrogen, frost damage, or due to an attack by harmful insects.

fruit splitting

Caused by sudden humidity changes, for example high humidity in the air after dryness or excessive watering after persistent thirst

Fruit trees are a valuable addition to any garden or orchard, providing not only beauty but also nutritious and delicious fruit.

However, like any plant, fruit trees are susceptible to a range of diseases and pests that can reduce yields and even kill the tree.

Some of the most common diseases and pests of fruit trees, their symptoms, and ways to manage them.

Diseases

Fire blight:

Fire blight is a bacterial disease that affects apples, pears, and other members of the rose family.

It causes blackening and withering of shoots and leaves, and can also infect fruit. Infected trees may need to be pruned extensively to prevent the disease from spreading.

Powdery mildew:

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects many types of fruit trees, including apples, peaches, and cherries.

It causes a white, powdery coating on leaves and fruit, which can distort growth and reduce yield.

It can be managed with fungicides and good cultural practices.

Brown rot:

Brown rot is a fungal disease that affects stone fruit trees, such as peaches, plums, and cherries.

It causes the fruit to rot and become covered in brown mold.

Infected fruit should be removed and destroyed, and good cultural practices should be followed to prevent the disease from spreading.

Cedar apple rust:

Cedar apple rust is a fungal disease that affects apples, crabapples, and other members of the rose family.

It causes yellow spots on leaves, and can also infect fruit.

The disease requires both apples and cedar trees to complete their life cycle, so removing nearby cedar trees can help prevent infection.

Apple scab:

Apple scab is a fungal disease that affects apples and crabapples.

It causes dark, scabby spots on leaves and fruit, which can reduce yield and fruit quality.

The disease can be managed with fungicides and good cultural practices.

Black knot:

Black knot is a fungal disease that affects plums and cherries.

It causes black, knotty growths on branches and twigs, which can weaken and eventually kill the tree.

Infected branches should be pruned and destroyed, and good cultural practices should be followed to prevent the disease from spreading.

Crown rot:

Crown rot is a fungal disease that affects many types of fruit trees.

It causes the bark to become sunken and discolored at the base of the tree, and can eventually kill the tree.

The disease can be managed with good cultural practices, such as proper irrigation and soil drainage.

Bacterial canker:

Bacterial canker is a bacterial disease that affects many types of fruit trees, including cherries, peaches, and plums.

It causes sunken, discolored lesions on branches and twigs, which can eventually kill the tree.

Infected branches should be pruned and destroyed, and good cultural practices should be followed to prevent the disease from spreading.

Phytophthora root rot:

Phytophthora root rot is a fungal disease that affects many types of fruit trees.

It causes the roots to rot and become discolored, which can weaken and eventually kill the tree.

The disease can be managed with good cultural practices, such as proper irrigation and soil drainage.

Verticillium wilt:

Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease that affects many types of fruit trees.

It causes the leaves to wilt and turn yellow or brown, and can eventually kill the tree. Infected trees should be removed and destroyed, and good cultural practices should be followed to prevent the disease from spreading.

Pests

Codling moth:

Codling moth is a common pest that affects apple and pear trees.

The larvae tunnel into fruit and feed on the seeds, causing the fruit to become distorted and rotten.

To manage codling moths, use pheromone traps to monitor adult moths and spray insecticides containing spinosad or Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) when necessary.

Aphids:

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on the sap of fruit trees, causing leaves to curl and become distorted.

They also secrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can attract other pests and fungi.

To manage aphids, use insecticidal soap or neem oil, or introduce natural predators such as ladybugs or lacewings.

Scale insects:

Scale insects are small, hard-shelled pests that suck sap from fruit trees.

They can be identified by their round, waxy bodies and the sticky substance they secrete.

To manage scale insects, use horticultural oil or introduce natural predators such as ladybugs or parasitic wasps.

Spider mites:

Spider mites are tiny pests that feed on the sap of fruit trees, causing leaves to become speckled and discolored.

They thrive in dry, dusty conditions and can be difficult to detect.

To manage spider mites, use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, or introduce natural predators such as predatory mites or predatory insects.

Leafrollers:

Leafrollers are a type of caterpillar that feeds on the leaves of fruit trees, causing them to curl and become distorted.

They may also tunnel into fruit, causing damage.

To manage leafrollers, use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or spinosad-based insecticides, or introduce natural predators such as parasitic wasps or birds.

Management strategies

Prevention is the best strategy for managing diseases and pests in fruit trees. Here are some tips to keep your trees healthy:

Plant disease-resistant varieties:

Choose fruit tree varieties that are known to be resistant to common diseases in your area.

Maintain good tree hygiene:

Keep the area around your fruit trees clean and free of debris, which can harbor pests and diseases.

Prune dead or diseased branches regularly to prevent the spread of infection.

Water appropriately:

Overwatering or underwatering can stress fruit trees and make them more vulnerable to pests and diseases.

Water fruit trees deeply and infrequently to promote deep root growth.