A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum Fruit Forum Potted orange tree

Hello,

I posted something similar in the Introduction forum, but I thought it would be better to post here: I have a small (dwarf) orange tree in a pot outside that blossoms each year but has never born fruit. The blossoms seem to dry up and fall off, and that's the end of the story each season. It gets plenty of sun, and water for a few minutes each day from the sprinklers. I would love to get fruit from it--any advice?

The watering regime needs addressing. Citrus like to dry out between waterings, not stay constantly wet. They should dry out a little, then be given a very thorough watering. Regular waterings keep soil too moist, and if it is only a bit from sprinklers, salt build-up is a danger, and will affect the plant.

Are you fertilizing? Citrus need 5-1-3 NPK fertilizer. Regardless of anything, citrus will always take up 5 parts nitrogen, 1 part phospherous, 3 parts potassium. Or 10-2-6. Or 20-4-12. Always to that ratio. Some fertilize once monthly, Others, like myself, feed twice a month at half the strength. The fertilizer should contain the base minerals required, eg iron, boron, copper etc. Really easy to find :)

Check it isn't too potbound. If it is this could affect fruiting.

All the best! A late response, but hope it is doing ok :)

Please see my comment posted under the veggie sub-forum. Postings on citrus are everywhere. I have a thought about this-- either establish a sub-forum for citrus, or a new thread devoted solely to citrus. Details.

In all honesty I would have looked under the fruit section before others. I don't understand why people post citrus queries in the vegetable forum lol