When you receive your new citrus tree, you may be unsure of the next steps for success. Many of our fruit trees are greenhouse-grown. It will shock the tree if you place it in direct sunlight immediately after receiving it. Here are some tips on how to properly acclimate your new trees to your home.
First, remove the plastic bag used to keep the soil in place during transit and acclimate the tree to your climate. The ideal location is a spot by the house with indirect sunlight that gets an hour or two of direct light throughout the day.
After two weeks, you can move your adjusted tree into its final location. Note: If you are planning on transplanting your tree into a container, you can do this first and proceed with the acclimation instructions above.
It is common for citrus trees to drop some of their leaves during this transition. Do not panic. You will want to monitor the weather and don’t hesitate to protect your tree if you see that the temperatures are going below 40°F or above 85°F during the adjustment period.
Acclimation during the summer months may require the use of some extra tools like shade cloth, tree paint, and foliar spray to ensure your tree is not scorched by the summer sun. We offer a few excellent IV Organics products that work as the perfect fruit tree sunscreen and pest protection to help get your tree thriving in its new home.
This process of acclimation allows the tree's growth to harden off and gives you the best chances of success with your new tree. If you have any questions on how to harden off an FWG fruit tree, don’t hesitate to email cs@fourwindsgrowers.com for more info.
Also read: How to Grow Citrus in Containers
Feed your fruit tree with Romeo Plant Food. This water-soluble fertilizer is great for in-ground or container growing.
Author: Israel Osuna
