How to Grow an Orange Tree

A young orange developing on the tip of a branch

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By Gardengates
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If you live in a warm Florida or California climate, growing oranges in your garden is not difficult. If you are prone to colder weather in the winter, you can still grow oranges in a large pot and offer it frost-free protection in the winter. Here are some tips on how to grow an orange tree.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Orange trees are wonderful evergreens that offer wonderfully perfumed flowers and tasty fruit filled with vitamin C. They are probably the most popular of the citrus trees. Different types grow to different sizes. You can buy standard orange trees that grow up to 20' in height or dwarf trees that only reach 3 - 4' in height. The latter are ideal in small gardens or pots. You can grow a potted orange indoors if you have a very sunny location. Any indoor flowering will have to be hand pollinated if you hope to produce any fruit. Since bees are best at that job, it might be easier to just put the orange tree out for the warmer months and let nature tend to setting fruit.
Step 2

Young orange tree

When you choose your variety of orange, select for one that is likely to do best in your area. Then make sure you give it a location with plenty of sun. Oranges also like a fair amount of water. Uneven watering can cause the fruit to split or deform.
Step 3

Plant your orange tree in rich soil with plenty of compost. Make the hole wider than it is deep. Never plant a tree below the soil line visible on the trunk marking the previous soil level. You are safer to plant it a little too high rather than too low if you aren't sure. Water the hole so the water penetrates deeply. Set your tree in the hole and back fill. Water it in thoroughly again.
Step 4

Let the surface of the soil dry out for an inch or so on the top between waterings. This applies to potted or garden-planted orange trees alike. So long as they are not damaged by frost or allowed to go too dry, orange trees are basically easy to grow. And I think they are one of the most rewarding types of trees to plant.

Comments

ronmorgen said

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on 12/14/2008 My trees are 3 years old, the trees look good, but the fruit is dry. Is it the bad drainage or some other problem. My lemons are fine in the same garden.

on 12/14/2008 My orange trees are 3 years old, the trees look good, but the fruit is dry. Is it the bad drainage or some other problem. My lemons are fine in the same garden.

Gardengates said

on 10/17/2008 Brett1349, it's hard to say what's going on with your tree without seeing it. Sometimes its lack of humidity, sometimes pests can cause the leaves to curl (look on the underside of the leaves) and sometimes the soil is insufficient (if the pot is too small) or lacking in nutrients (feed 1/2 suggested amount of citrus food). You might want to bring it to your local garden center for advice.

brett1349 said

on 10/17/2008 i have a potted orange tree on my roof patio i live in uruguay, last year when i bought the tree it had fruit, right now is the start of summer for me and the tree is begining to bloom my question is why are the leafs all curled up the tree seems healthy otherwise its not thirsty and i let it dry out a bit between waterings