In winter we often crave the fresh taste and vitamin C that citrus fruits provide. But you don't have to rely on what's available at the grocery store, you can grow your own citrus fruits right in your home, no matter what your climate is.
The first thing to do when you get your plant is to replant it into a slightly bigger pot, one that provides ample room for growth and looks proportionate to the plant (be careful not to over-pot). Clay pots are ideal, because they help regulate the moisture levels of the soil. The best location is one where the plant can get south, east, or western exposure. Citrus plants require four to six hours of sunlight per day. It's best to grow citrus plants above 65░. Humidity in the summer is fine, but they can tolerate drier conditions in the winter. They need good air circulation. Remember to water your plants well; the soil should feel dry to the touch, but not overly dry.
You should fertilize them once a month with a plant food with a 7-9-5 ratio. Don't over-feed, as this can cause weak root systems. Remove the plants from the containers every few years and check the root systems. New soil will provide fresh nutrients. Citrus plants are susceptible to mealy bugs and scale. A wilted tree that perks up within two hours after watering indicates that the roots got too dry. Yellow or cupped leaves that don't look perky after watering can indicate excessive watering or soggy roots.
CITRUS PLANT GLOSSARY
KUMQUAT
The small orange fruit of the kumquat is a symbol of prosperity and good luck in its native Southern China. It can be eaten in its entirety, peel and all
Fortunella magarita `Nagami'
This cultivar bears a small oval fruit with sweet edible skin and tart juicy flesh. `Nagami' grows up to 2 to 4 feet in a container. It grows outdoors best in Zone 9, blooming in spring and summer.
Fortunella hindsii
This is a dwarf kumquat, making a great miniature.
LIME
Native to tropical Asia and West Indies.
C. aurantifolia `Key Lime'
`Key Lime' is also known as Bartenders Lime and Mexican Lime. It bears oval leaves and thorny stems and grows best outdoors in Zone 10.
C. aurantifolia `Persian Lime'
This cultivar is also known as Tahitian Lime. It has a similar growth habit to the lemon. The fruit is medium size and relatively seedless. It is vigorous and easy to grow, bearing flowers and fruits year-round. Hardy in Zone 9, it grows 1 to 3 feet in a container.
LEMON
C. limon `Meyer'
The Meyer lemon is an heirloom dwarf lemon with delicious golden-yellow fruit. It is the hardiest lemon for cool climates and makes a great potted plant, growing from to 1 to 3 feet in a container. Outdoors, it is hardy in Zone 9.
C. limon `Ponderosa'
The Ponderosa lemon is also known as The American Wonder Lemon. It bears white fragrant flowers that appear throughout the winter with a heavy surge in spring just before the fruit appears. The fruit can weigh up to 5 pounds on some of the older trees, but the size of the plant remains a manageable size. It is hardy in Zone 9 and grows from to 1 to 3 feet in a container.
C. limon `Pink'
Often called pink Spanish lemon, `Pink' has variegated foliage and pink fleshy fruit. It grows 1 to 3 feet in a container and is hardy in Zone 9.
TANGELO
This is a cross between C. paradis and C. reticulata (tangerine and grapefruit).
C. x tangelo `Mineola'
`Mineola' bears fruit with yellow-orange to flame-orange thick peel and sweet flesh.
BLOOD ORANGE, OR SWEET ORANGE
Group of cultivars with especially red flesh with hints of raspberry flavor. Native originally to Vietnam, northwestern India and China.
C. sinensis `Sanguinelli'
CALAMONDIN
Believed to be native to China and was taken in early times to Indonesia and the Philippines, where it became the most popular citrus juice.
C. x citrofortunella mitis
Also known as Chinese or China Orange, this aromatic variety bears a round fruit with red-orange glossy peel.
