How to Care for Orange Trees

Orange trees become established and bear fruit.

The orange tree, originating in Southeast Asia, grows at maturity up to 30 feet in height. The fruit of the orange tree is actually a berry that grows up to 4 inches in diameter. With care, you can have a healthy orange tree with plenty of delicious fruit.

Things You'll Need

• Fungus aide
• Ammonium sulfate
• Tree wrap

Instructions

1. Water your newly planted orange tree two to three times the first week and once or twice a week for the next few weeks. After this, water the tree whenever the soil dries out 1-2 inches down.

2. Weed the area around the orange trees but avoid mulch, because it can cause foot rot disease.

3. Add mycorrhizal fungi when planting your tree or after, inoculating the soil near the root zone, to help the roots develop if this fungus is lacking in your soil.

4. Apply fertilizer after the young tree begins to grow. Provide a single cup of ammonium sulfate split into three or four applications in the first year, scattered on the ground around the tree and watered thoroughly. Increase the amount to two cups in the second year and three in the third.

5. Bank your orange tree by building up clean soil around the tree trunk to a height of about 15 inches if you have freezing weather in your region in early fall. This insulates the tree and absorbs the sunlight. Or wrap the trunk with commercial tree wrap, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• Find a good tree expert to consult with.

• Because orange trees are cold-sensitive ask your tree care specialist to find the tree that is best for your climate and region.

References

• Professor E. Fred Legner, University of California Riverside Fruits of Tropical & Sub-Tropical Regions
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Home Fruit Production: Orange
• University of Washington College of Forest Resources: The Use of Mycorrhizae in Native Plant Production