Facts About Growing Orange Trees
Orange trees, like all citrus trees, are known for their edible fruits, sweet scent and compact growth. Growing orange trees isn't something that's restricted to Florida residents and professional orchard owners alone; almost anyone may grow their own citrus inside or outside the home. The facts of growing orange trees are the same for everyone, amateur and professional growers alike. Does this Spark an idea?
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Planting
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Orange trees grow well in a variety of soil conditions, from light sand to more densely-packed clay. No matter the soil type, orange trees must be planted in material that drains well. Outdoor orange trees thrive in tropical and subtropical climates; Arizona is about as far north as they may be safely grown outside. Orange trees will withstand winter temperatures as low as 20 degrees in short stretches of time, but frost damage will occur if the tree is exposed to temperatures below 27 for more than five hours at a time. Always plant orange trees in full sunlight to enjoy maximum fruit production.
Fruiting
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The first buds on orange trees form in early winter. Development continues through the season, and flowers begin to open and blossom in the spring. Orange trees may be full of small flowers, so many that the glossy leaves become difficult to see, but only 1 percent of these blooms will become fruits. The fruits (oranges) form from flowers that have been pollinated by insects, though some citrus trees will produce fruits even when no pollination occurs. Different species of orange trees have different pollination needs (some varieties, for instance, must be cross-pollinated), so learn the specific requirements for your orange tree upon purchase. Fruits take five to 18 months to develop after the flowers bloom.
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Tree Needs
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Orange trees require lots of water, along with high levels of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur and calcium. The trees also need lower levels of iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, manganese, boron and other elements. Fertilize orange trees three times a year (February, May and September) with ammonium sulfate. Do not allow mulch or grass to touch the base of the tree trunk; surround the tree with a ring of bare soil at least three inches wide.
Ongoing Care
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Orange trees do not need frequent pruning. Light hand pruning is usually sufficient to thin out the dense tree canopy, which allows more light to get to the fruits. Frost protection is always important with orange trees, as they cannot be exposed to temperatures below 27 degrees F for extended amounts of time. Professional growers use large wind machines when cold weather strikes to protect trees with warm, circulating air. Planting orange trees near sheltering hillsides or wind-blocking walls also helps to keep the plants warmer.
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References
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