Frequently Asked Questions about Dwarf Citrus

Following are some of our most commonly asked questions about growing dwarf citrus:
 
Q: How do I grow dwarf citrus in my area?
A: Refer to our comprehensive how to grow section, which includes pages on growing citrus in the ground, in containers, as houseplants, and in greenhouses/solariums.
 
Q: What is the difference between a one year tree and a two-three year tree?
A: One year trees come in a 4" x 4" x 6" container of soil. They generally are 12"-16" tall with 3/8" diameter trunk. Within a month of delivery, it is best to repot into a larger container (6"-8" diameter) to give the roots more room to grow. Two-three year trees are taller, well branched and have a larger root system. They have been grown in a 12 inch container and are over two feet tall. The two-three year trees have a trunk that can range between 1/2" and 3/4" in diameter. The canopy is over a foot in diameter. Each variety grows at a different rate so these sizes are general for all trees we ship. See a photo of the difference.
 
Q: How often should I water?
A: Here are some general guidelines:

1. In the ground, water deeply once a week.
   
2. In outdoor containers, water deeply once or twice a week.
   
3. Indoors, water with 1/4 - 1/2 gallon every 5-7 days.
   

Vary watering as conditions change! See our complete watering guidelines for more detail. A simple moisture meter, available at garden supply stores, will read moisture at the root level. Take it from us -- this five or six dollar tool will become your best friend! You'll never again have to guess about whether or not a plant needs water.
 
Q: Why do blooms or fruit drop off?
A: Some fruit drop is normal, especially in hot summer months. If fruit or bloom drop is excessive, proper watering is often the solution. Extremely hot, dry, windy weather will trigger fruit drop. Be sure trees are well watered in these situations. If you observe excessive fruit and leaf drop a few days after a heavy watering, the tree became too dry before it was watered. In the future, be consistent in your watering schedule.
 
Q: Why do leaves drop off or twigs die back?
A: Leaf drop and twig dieback can be caused by lack of light or too much water.
 
Q: My tree grows at a rapid rate and has for years, but it doesn't fruit. Why?
A: Possibly a rootstock sucker has taken over. Learn more.
 
Q: Why is the foliage yellow?
A: Two possibilities exist. Yellowed foliage can indicate lack of fertilizer, or overwatering to the point that the root tips are rotting and are not taking up nutrients. Cut back on watering to recommended rates, and be sure to fertilize appropriately.
 
Q: When will fruit ripen?
A: Usually, once the trees are about 3 years old, they are mature enough to handle fruit production. Younger trees are capable of bearing, but doing so does slow branch and foliage growth, which are important for the tree's long-term development. See our Citrus Variety Information Chart for specific information by variety.
 
Q: How do I tell if fruit is ripe?
A: Keep in mind that all citrus fruits only ripen on the tree. The best way to determine ripeness for oranges is to watch for the color to change to orange, then check for a slight softening of the fruit. Sometimes a opaque sheen will develop on the skin. Lemons are ready when yellow, and generally hold the tree for months. Limes are smaller and ready when green; again, watch for a slight softening. See our Citrus Variety Information Chart for specific information by variety.
 
Q: What is the time from bloom to edible fruit?
A: For lemons and limes, the time from bloom to edible fruit is generally 6-9 months. For winter oranges and other citrus, it is generally 12 months. Keep in mind that all citrus fruits only ripen on the tree. The best way to determine ripeness is to pick a fruit and sample it, since rind color is an unreliable indicator. See our Citrus Variety Information Chart for specific information by variety.
 
Q: Do you sell a tree with more than one variety grafted on it?
A: We do not propagate "multi's". One reason is that there are rootstock/scion incompatibility problems which result in less than optimal fruit quality. Also, different varieties can easily weaken or overwhelm one another. At Four Winds, we focus on the best combinations of rootstocks and fruiting wood, and have refined our methods for over 50 years. You can plant our trees in a closely spaced hedge and achieve the same effect with more control over the growth and type of each variety. This method will almost always give more satisfying results than a multigrafted tree.



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