Grow Organic Citrus

Test the soil pH. An acid soil requires 500gms of lime and 250gms of rock phosphate around the plant area.

Dig the planting hole shallow by 30-50cm wider than the plant's container. For potted plants gently loosen any compacted roots. Keep the graft union (the knobby section) at ground level or 2.5 cm below the soil level in the container. For root balls wrapped in hessian (burlapped), retain the root-ball until it is in place in the hole. Remove ties and hessian when the tree is in position. Add damp packed soil, sand and compost mix around the root ball. Now add 500gms of chicken manure to the mulch around every tree. Mulch with grass or straw, but keep it 5-7cm clear of the stem. A stem smoothed with mulch is susceptible to canker rot. Do not over-water newly planted trees. A good weekly water is sufficient.

Every spring feed trees 500gms of chicken manure, 100gms of rock phosphate and 25gms of mineral rock and a bucket of compost each. As the trees grow, increase nutrition to 1kg of manure, 150gms of rock phosphate and two buckets of compost per tree.

Citrus generally requires little pruning. If the branches become crowded, thin them a little. Lemons grow tall and upright, so prune these back to a manageable height. Remove lemon and grapefruit water shoot unless they improve the tree's shape. Remove any shoot below the graft union.

Pests and diseases are common in warmer climates. The organic garden encourages populations of natural predators to build to sufficient number to be beneficial. Mites, scale, whiteflies, mealybugs, caterpillars and grasshopper are common pests. Beneficial organisms include parasitic wasps, fungi and ladybird larvae. Common diseases include scab, melanose, greasy spot and sooty mould. Control insects will prevent sooty mould developing. Spray white oil to smother scales and aphids. Remove caterpillars and grasshoppers with your fingers. Spray copper to control diseases. Remove dead wood to prevent melanose.

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