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leogirl81
08-10-2006, 02:14 AM
I just purchased a new home and now have a lime tree, a key lime tree, an orange tree and a fig tree, (I also have another citrus tree, but I don't know what it is). I think they are fairly old and well established. All of the trees are taller than I am and seem to be doing well. However I absolutely do not know any thing about these trees, but I would like to keep them going. When is there season? How do I trim them? Where can I find more info. Etc, Etc. I also live in Florida, if that makes a difference. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :)

CitrusDragon
08-12-2006, 12:52 AM
Welcome to the forum and congrats on the new house and trees.

I would not prune the trees at all, with the exception of any suckers that might start growing. Suckers are growth at the bottom of the tree,below the established canopy. If your tree is grafted its anything growing below the graft.

Dont allow ANYTHING to grow under the trees. This means grass, flowers, ANYTHING. Mulch should not be placed within 18 inches of the trunk of the tree.

Fertilize with a good fertilizer containing minors. How often will depend on where in Florida you are. Deep south you would fertilize 4x a year,1lb of fert for every inch of trunk circumference sprinkled around the area below the canopy, then scratched into the soil. If anywhere that experiences freezing temps should be fertilized 3x a year at the same rate.

Watering is important but overwatering is detrimental to the trees health. I would only water IF you are experiencing a drought. Doesn't apprar to be the case this year. The trees are established and find their own water source. IF you have to water them don't let the water soak the trunk. This can cause it to rot if it happens over a prolonged period of time.

Watch for bugs and other signs of disease. Florida is teaming with canker but canker can be somewhat cured with special chemicals available at your local ag center of possibly home center. Canker makes the fruit ugly.

As far as fruit seasons, Lemons and limes pretty much fruit all the time. Oranges, usually begin flowering in March or April and ripen in about 9 or 10 months. Grapefruit sometimes takes 18 months to ripen. I can't help with the figs as I have no experience growing them.

Hopefully this will help you out a bit.
Andi