Washington Navel Semi-Dwarf Orange Tree

After your two-week Acclimation Period, you are ready to plant your citrus tree in its final location. Choose a spot that gets at least 8 hours of sunlight per day.

Almost all the citrus trees on our website are grafted on semi-dwarf rootstocks that are perfect for container growing. If planted in the ground semi-dwarf trees can be expected to reach up to 15 feet in height & width, depending upon variety. In a pot, the semi-dwarf trees will stay much smaller, especially with judicious pruning. Be sure to provide more space in the ground for standard size trees. Generally, a Semi Dwarf tree needs an 8’-10’ diameter space. Citrus trees can be grown much closer together if your goal is to have a citrus hedge or a multi-variety bush.

This space should be a sunny, frost, and wind-free location with southern exposure for best results. If in doubt about the location, leave the tree in its plastic container and place it in the spot you have in mind. Water as needed, and after a week or two, you should be able to tell whether it's happy or not.

Citrus trees are sensitive to temperatures below freezing and will need to be protected to maintain tree health. If you are unable to provide adequate protection outside, consider growing your indoors by a sunny window. Indoor growers will need to be mindful of their heat vents as these can damage your tree roots if they are right next to the vent.

In containers, choose a starter pot that is 10-14", or 3-5 gallons in size. It should have excellent drainage. If your pot does not have enough holes, consider drilling more.

Your potting mix should be chunky and also have excellent drainage. We recommend our Primo Potting Mix for potted citrus trees.

In the ground, choose a spot with adequate drainage. It is important to prepare the area with looser soil so that the young roots can move and grow easily. The total area should be at least three times the diameter of the pot and dug as deep as you can.

To plant your tree, dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the rootball. Backfill your hole, ensuring that the tree stays straight and secure in the ground. Fill up with soil to the crown of the roots, but be careful not to bury it. Water deeply and thorougly after planting.

For root protection from gophers, use Root Guard Gopher Baskets

How often to water will vary on the environment and depends on soil porosity, tree size, and temperature. Allowing the top of the soil to dry out between watering is recommended. A simple moisture meter, available at garden supply stores, can be used to determine moisture down to about a 9” depth. Generally, when the meter indicates a root moisture level of about 50%, (center of the dial) it is time to water. Always store your moisture meter dry between uses to keep it functioning properly.

A wilted tree that perks up within 24 hours after watering indicates the roots got too dry. Adjust the watering schedule accordingly. A tree with yellow or cupped leaves or leaves that don't look perky after watering can indicate excessive watering and soggy roots. In that case, water less frequently.

Citrus trees prefer less frequent, deep watering to frequent, shallow sprinklings. Creating a watering basin around the drip line of the tree can aid in deep watering. As the tree grows, be sure to expand the basin as needed to keep it as wide as the spread of the branches. Deeper watering promotes deeper root growth and strengthens your tree. Generally, once-aweek watering works well for in-ground or container plantings. Be sure to adjust based on weather conditions. In general, it is best to water in the morning, but if plants are dry or wilted it is better to water them immediately, rather than wait until morning.

When it comes to fertilizing, feed the tree with a balanced fertilizer monthly during the spring, summer and early fall months. These are considered the growing months. Apply it according to the manufacturer's instructions. We recommend Romeo Fertilizer and G&B Organics Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertilizer

In the early spring, prune the tree to maintain a desirable shape and remove dead or diseased branches.

A semi-dwarf citrus tree can grow 10-15 feet in the ground, but can be kept smaller with judicious pruning.

Know where the graft union is on your tree. It can usually be seen as a diagonal scar between 4 and 8 inches from the soil. Remove all shoot growth below the graft. These so-called "suckers" take vitality from the top of the tree (the fruiting wood). Especially on young trees, they are very vigorous. Remove suckers as soon as they are observed.

Read: How to Prune Your Citrus Tree