Orange Tree

I purchased an orange tree a few years back while on vacation. I've never really had a green thumb, but the idea of having an orange tree seemed really cool. All has been well, but I have noticed the leaves on two long "shoots" have become very large and have very little color in them. Is this normal? I thought about trimming them off but I am afraid I will hurt it. I'm pretty proud that I have kept it alive this long, and would love to see it actually make some fruit.

 

Citrus do not like to be pruned--it may prevent the tree from fruiting. I can't see well enough to be sure but it looks like your tree has some deficiencies--probably iron or nitrogen. You should fertilize it with Osmocote or Dynamite (19-6-12) slow release fertilizer with trace minerals 3 times a year.

To get your tree to bloom and fruit you will need to expose it to 6-800 hrs of temp below 65F.

There are people in Canada growing citrus--you should be able to do it in Atlanta.

 

It is very common for citrus to produce "extra" large leaves on new growth. All new growth on a citrus tree is pale green in color, as the new foliage grows faster than the tree allocates nitrogen to them. They will darken in a month or so. Like Skeet said, no need to prune your tree. - Millet

 

Growing citrus in Canada?
must be a warm nursery...won't survive anywhere else

 

Thanks, for all your replies. I certainly will not prune it. I will also try and find some of that Osmocote fertilizer. I was using regular Miracle Grow plant food. Probably not the best choice. Again thank you all. I feel much better.
~shawn

 

"Growing citrus in Canada?
must be a warm nursery...won't survive anywhere else"

I know at least one member here from Canada (GregN) that has citrus growing inground --in BC.

 

BC is the mildest place in Canada

 

Shawn, miracle grow is not a "bad" fertilizer, depending on the NPK ratio, it might be just as good or better than the Osmocote or Dynamite slow release as far as the macro nutrients (you would still have to add trace minerals), but the slow release with trace minerals just makes it soooo much easier. Just add the right amount depending on container size (4 g per L --according to Millet) every 4 months and you are done--for 4 months.

 

There is 24-8-16 miracle grow with micronutrients. That's what I will use for my indoor lemon tree, to the best of my knowledge there is no citrus fertilizer in my area.

 

That sound like a good fertilizer. Probably even better that the slow release formulas I use as far as the NPK ratio goes for citrus.
I just use the slow release for convenience.