How to Grow a Clementine Tree
Easy to peel, sweet and seedless, clementines are perfect snacking oranges. They are also ideal citrus trees for home growers. They don't require a lot of space, are easy to care for, and produce a crop that is enough to supply a family, but not overburden a gardener with too much fruit. A variety of the popular Mandarin orange, clementines can be grown in the same types of locations as other citrus trees, such as areas that are not prone to deep freezes. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Select a planting site. An area with well-drained soil, plenty of sun and protection from strong winds is ideal. Texas A&M University recommends planting clementine trees on the south or southeast side of the house to protect them as much as possible from cold weather.
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Remove any weeds, grass, groundcover or other plants from the area where you plan to plant. Young citrus trees do not compete well with other plants, especially those very close to the tree. Remove all plants at least 6 inches out from the canopy of the branches.
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Dig a hole just a few inches deeper than the root ball, and 6 to 8 inches wider.
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Add 2 to 3 inches of soil back into the hole.
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Rinse potting medium away from the outer roots of the root ball. Do not wash all of the medium away, just that which is covering the outer roots.
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Set the tree gently into the hole. It should be an inch or two higher than it was in the pot or burlap bag. If it is not, add another inch or two of soil back into the hole.
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Add about half of the soil back into the hole, placing it gently around the tree.
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Water the soil around the tree and wait for it to settle.
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Replace the remaining soil, making sure it is at least level with or higher than the surrounding ground.
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Build up a small watering ring around the tree by mounding soil into a small dam. Do not, however, lower the level of the soil around the tree in order to do so.
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Water the tree every two to three days for the first three weeks, and then extend the time between waterings by a day or two every week so that eventually you are only watering the tree once every seven to 10 days.
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Fertilize every three to four months, using a fertilizer designed specifically for citrus trees. Do not fertilize during planting. Wait until the tree has been in the ground for several months.
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Tips & Warnings
Clip fruit off the tree rather than pulling it off to prevent damage both to the fruit and the tree.
Don't over-water your clementine tree. Root rot from too much watering is a common killer of citrus trees. It's better to water too little than too much.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
