All types of citrus trees – lemons, oranges, satsumas, tangerines, limes, and kumquats – need well-draining soil. If your tree is growing in the ground, make sure and work in plenty of organic matter. This type of soil not only provides a steady supply of nutrients; it helps excess water to drain away. One of the beauties of Meyer’s dwarf lemon trees is that they produce fruit throughout the year. The potted tree has glossy green foliage and produces sweet, tangy lemons. Feed citrus trees with a tomato feed, weekly or fortnightly during the spring and summer, reducing to monthly with a specialised citrus feed during the winter months. To encourage bushy growth, give your tree a light trim as it begins to sprout new growth during the spring. How soon will I be able to harvest fruit? Dwarf varieties of citrus trees growing in pots need a lot of sunshine. Plant them or put the potted trees in a sunny part of your garden. Ideally, lemon, lime, and orange trees need at least 6 to 8 hours of sunshine daily.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice, our comprehensive guide to growing and caring for dwarf orange trees will surely provide valuable information and tips. So keep reading to learn more about these delightful plants and how to grow fresh, juicy oranges at home. Valencia – Valencia oranges are a well-known variety that is prized for its juicy, sweet flavor. They are typically harvested in late spring to early summer. To keep your dwarf orange tree healthy, ensure the soil is moist but not soaked and stay on a watering schedule. Prune the tree to control the height, remove dead branches, thin the plant to the three strongest trunks, and pinch flowers the first year to help the tree grow strong. Soil and Fertilizer Orange trees will normally flower in May, but if grown indoors they can flower at all times of the year, even December. They are self-pollinating (you will only need one tree to produce fruit) but very few of the blossoms will turn into fruit, and you will find that many of the young fruit drops from the tree at various stages of their growth. Misting the flowers daily, however, will prevent this from happening.You can also grow grapefruit trees in suitable containers, although they are probably too big to grow indoors. Potted grapefruit trees grow up to 6 ft. (1.8 m) tall and have a sizeable bushy spread. For them to thrive and bear fruit, dwarf citrus trees need to stay in moderate temperatures. Be sure to keep the tree’s growing area between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. In winter, allow the surface to partially dry out before watering, then water thoroughly with rainwater, allowing excess moisture to drain away. Overwatering in winter is one of the commonest causes of stress in citrus, so keep them on the dry side. Feeding Regular citrus trees and dwarf citrus trees have a few basic requirements when it comes to proper care. The right soil, proper watering, feeding, and light all need to be right to get delicious tasty fruit. These small bushy citrus trees produce small orange citrus fruits in winter. Some of the dwarf cultivars make great fruit-producing houseplants as they only grow to about 3 ft. (0.9 m) tall. Unlike other citrus fruit, kumquats have edible rinds, and you can eat the fruit whole.

The key things to be on guard for with dwarf varieties are temperature, water, and sunlight. Of course, every plant needs those to live, but dwarf citrus trees are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment.The amount of water vapour in the atmosphere. Different plants require different levels of humidity. Houseplants that need high humidity are best grown in a steamy bathroom, misted regularly or the pot placed in a saucer of damp pebbles. In a greenhouse, humidity can be raised in hot weather by damping down (wetting) the floor, overhead watering or misting. However, high humidity can cause fungal problems, in which case open vents to improve ventilation. humidity up year round. The best way to do this, is to stand plants on large saucers or trays filled with ‘Hortag’ or gravel and keep the water level just below the surface of the gravel. Mist the leaves in early morning in summer and make sure that there is good circulation of fresh air. Put the potted dwarf citrus tree near a south-facing window. Citrus trees need between 6 and 8 hours of sunlight daily, 12 hours of sunshine is even better. There should also be enough air circulating in the room for the tree to grow well. So, keep a window open. Proper temperature for indoor potted citrus trees Some dwarf kumquat tree cultivars include ‘Nagami,’ ‘Fukushu,’ ‘Meiwa,’ and ‘Marumi.’ Calamondin / Calamansi: Miniature Citrus Tree Trees that Grow from seeds will take about three years before you have fruit to eat so patience is key. No matter where your tree is, it likes sun. So plant it outside, in a container, or inside near a window with the maximum amount of sun exposure. Then keep the soil moist, well drained, and fertilize regularly. With these steps you will have homegrown fruit which is always tastier than store bought.

Getting adequate amounts of sunlight is the best way to ensure a large crop of juicy fruits from your tree. Best Type of Soil for Citrus Trees Blood Orange – Dwarf Blood oranges are known for their deep red flesh and distinctive flavor. They are typically harvested in late winter to early spring. Another type of dwarf orange tree is clementines ( Citrus × clementina). These are a hybrid citrus fruit of mandarin orange and sweet orange. The small leafy green tree produces delicious oranges that are easy to peel. Dwarf Indoor Citrus ‘Satsuma’ Mandarin Tree To get the best type of soil for your potted citrus tree, use a loamy soil mix with peat moss or leaf mold. You can get healthy organic soil by mixing one-third potting soil, one-third organic matter, and one-third peat. Calamansi ( Citrus x microcarpa) is a small citrus tree that is popular as an indoor houseplant. This miniature citrus tree looks like an indoor orange tree, but in reality, it is a lime with orange rind.

Dwarf Meyer Lemon Trees

The ideal temperature for indoor dwarf citrus trees is an average of 65°F (18°C). Don’t let the temperature drop below 55°F (12°C), and it shouldn’t get warmer than 88°F (31°C). Avoid placing the container near drafts, hot radiators, or furnaces. Caring for your dwarf citrus tree indoor

A series of soil-based seed and potting composts made to specific formulae developed by the John Innes Horticultural Institute in the 1930s. They contain loam, sand, peat (or peat substitute), ground chalk and varying amounts of added fertilisers, according to their purpose. John Innes compost in areas where hard water has to be used for irrigation. There are also specially formulated citrus composts available. Repotting is best done in spring, using only the next size pot. In years when repotting is not necessary, remove the top 5cm (2in) of old compost in late spring and replace with fresh compost. Keep them cool, but protected from frost during winter – this mimics their natural growing conditions. Many types of orange trees grow well in pots and are attractive features in small garden landscapes and patios. Outdoors, dwarf orange trees grow well in sunny garden areas in zones 9 – 11. Indoor orange trees To propagate your dwarf orange tree, use softwood cuttings from non-new, non-dried-out branches. Remove the lower leaves, plant in a pot with potting soil and fertilizer, and keep in a sunny window. Propagating from seeds may not produce fruit. Growing Dwarf Orange Tree Indoors

Proper care and attention are crucial for growing citrus trees in pots or containers. The restricted space means that growing citrus plants in containers is more stressful than growing outdoors. Plants can be placed outdoors in summer, from mid-June to late September, if sheltered from cold winds. At other times, keep them in a cool greenhouse or conservatory. Citrus are not ideal houseplants, as the heat and dry atmosphere can cause scorch.