How to Grow Citrus: May 2023 News from Murphy Citrus Nursery

 

We're Shipping!

Have you heard the exciting news? We're now shipping on Mondays and Tuesdays, which means our northern customers can expect to receive their orders by Friday! But, of course, we want to ensure the absolute best quality possible, so we'll hold onto trees as needed until the weather is nice. As a reminder, we do not ship to Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Louisiana, or Texas.

 

Plant of the Month: Vernia Orange Tree

Delightfully sweet and juicy, Vernia oranges leave little to be desired! These high-yielding trees are best in central or south Florida, as the fruits ripen early from mid-January through February. However, those with greenhouses can indulge in the magic of growing them anywhere. This selection features delicious fruits that are excellent for juicing or eating fresh and are more tolerant of citrus greening than many other varieties.

 

Tip of the Month: Spring Prune

After a long, cold winter, most people are ready to start tackling the spring garden to-dos, and of course, pruning is high on that list.

Proper pruning sets summer-blooming plants up for a healthy season, but in terms of timing, you'll want to ensure you do it after the risk of hard freezes. Check first for damaged or crossing branches to remove so pests and diseases don't get established. Pruning will open up the structure so that more sunlight reaches twigs. This allows blossoms to form deeper in the tree rather than all at the top. Each tree will have thousands of flowers, but many will fall off before they set due to incoming fruit. This is normal for citrus and you can expect about only 2 to 3% of flowers to form fruit.

Pruning also creates more air circulation and sets up the tree for successful new growth. Your trees will likely only need a little pruning unless you want to keep them short, and they should be topped every two years to stay under 15' tall. Click here to learn more about citrus pruning.

Disease of the Month: Citrus Greening

One of the most serious threats to citrus is citrus greening disease. Insects spread the disease, and once a tree is infected, there really is no effective control or cure. The result is a massive reduction in the quantity and quality of citrus fruits, which are often green, misshapen, and bitter. Scientists have been working hard to battle the disease and develop resistant trees. Click here to find out more about citrus greening and how to prevent.

 

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