How to Water Citrus Trees

Citrus trees need frequent deep watering to produce a quality crop of fresh fruit.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drip Irrigation
• Garden Hoses And Attachments
• Hose-end Sprinklers
• Mulch
• Shovels
• Shovels

1. Install drip emitters or sprinklers beneath the tree or build a 6 to 8 inch high soil basin around the outside of the tree (just outside the canopy of leaves).

2. Run the emitters or sprinklers until the soil is wet to a depth of 3 to 4 feet.

3. Fill the soil basin with water, let it drain, and repeat at least twice until the soil is wet to a depth of 3 to 4 feet.

4. Check water penetration by pushing a stiff metal bar, wooden dowel or soil probe into the soil. The bar or dowel will move easily through wet soil, stop when it reaches dry.

5. Water again when the top 6 to 8 inches of soil is dry. Most citrus will need water every 8 to 12 days in midsummer. Water less in cooler weather or if it rains.

6. Mulch the area under the canopy with 3 to 4 inches of organic material.

7. Add more emitters or increase the width of the basin as the tree grows.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the area under the tree free of weeds, grass or other plants. They compete for moisture and nutrients.
• Your tree will tell you if it needs water ' the foliage will droop and loose its bright green color, turning a dull, gray green.
• Letting your citrus trees dry out will result in smaller, poor quality fruit

[brett1349]

on 10/17/2008 can anyone tell me why my orange trees leafs are curling up, help help,

on 11/22/2005 I paid $39.95 for a Ruby Red in a pot. I took very special care planting and caring for it. It died. I went to the local feed store to buy it, and they had no guarantee. The same grower sells them at Home Depot, they are guaranteed there. Mom and Pop stores complain about chain stores, but don't give you a break on price or service. Never again will I buy locally.