Citrus Care
Care instructions and guidelines for citrus trees.
General Information
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• Nutrient Deficiencies: Magnesium and potassium deficiencies can lead to leaves curling, often with the tips curling over. We recommend a batch of our nutrient recipe and our citrus therapy to ensure that the plan has enough nutrients in the soil.
• Drought Stress: Insufficient watering can lead to leaves curling upward as the plant tries to conserve moisture. Ensuring adequate watering, especially during dry periods, is crucial.
Citrus Greening
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• All citrus trees from Fruit Trees Only are treated prior to sale with a systemic pesticide in compliance with FDACS requirements.
• Your tree will have an ISD (Imidacloprid Soil Drench) tag indicating the last treatment date and the next recommended reapplication date.
• Homeowners are responsible for continuing treatment every 6 months to protect against psyllid infestation and prevent the spread of citrus greening.
Fruit Trees Only recommend using the Fertilome Tree and Shrub Drench with Imidicloripid to ensure that the tree remains pest and disease resistant.
Citrus Pests
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Identify the Pest: Look for signs of pests such as holes in leaves, curled or discolored foliage, webbing, or visible insects.
Common Pests and Remediation:
• Aphids: Small, soft-bodied insects often found in clusters on new growth. Aphids can also cause leaves to curl and distort.
Natural Aphid Predators: Encourage ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficial insects that prey on aphids.
Spray: Use Captain Jack's Neem Oil applying directly to affected areas or use a Systemic Drench like the Fertilome Tree and Shrub Drench in the roots to ensure a healthy citrus tree. Fruit Trees Only recommends using an insecticidal soap like horticultural oil to help control them.
• Fruit Flies:Small flies attracted to ripe or fermenting fruit.
Sanitation: Remove fallen or overripe fruit promptly.
Traps: Use fruit fly traps with attractants to reduce populations.
• Caterpillars:Larvae of moths or butterflies that chew on leaves and fruit.
Handpicking: Remove caterpillars by hand.
Foliar Spray: Use Captain Jack's BT Spray, a natural bacterial insecticide for caterpillars.
• Citrus Leaf Miners: These pests tunnel into new leaves, causing them to curl and form trails. Fruit Trees Only recommends using an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil can help control them.
Citrus Disease Prevention
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Pruning: Remove dead or diseased branches to improve air circulation. Consider buying our favorite Pruning Tool Set on Amazon!
Sanitation: Remove fallen leaves and fruit to prevent disease spread.
Fungicides: Use fungicidal sprays as preventive measures against fungal diseases like powdery mildew or leaf spot.
Beneficial Insects: Introduce beneficial insects such as predatory mites or parasitic wasps to control pests naturally.
Neem Oil: Use Captain Jack's Neem Oil, a botanical pesticide, to deter and kill a wide range of pests while being safe for beneficial insects.
Horticultural Oil: Use Captain Jack's Horticultural Oil, a botanical pesticide, to deter and kill a wide range of pests while being safe for beneficial insects.