Getting the best from your Citrus plant

The Citrus family encompasses various varieties, from Lemons to Limes, Mandarins and even Finger Limes. Although all are very similar in their care, we will break down these categories and give more in-depth information to ensure your Citrus plant gives you a lot of pleasure.

Lemons

The most popular Lemon is the Lemon Meyer. This variety has the ability to provide lemons almost year-round and is easy to grow in both garden and pot from semi-shade to full sun.

Pruning is done only to maintain or control its shape or size and is predominantly done as new growth appears in spring, keeping an open framework to allow for good airflow. Good airflow prevents insect and disease problems with Citrus. Remove any dead, damaged or diseased wood.

To extend the lifespan of a Lemon Meyer in a pot, it can be removed from the pot, the root ball pruned by 50% as well as the foliage/branches pruned by 50% and then repotted into the same pot, where it will happily regrow and provide juicy Lemons again.

Care of Lemons, to maintain a healthy plant, it is recommended to spray a Lemon every three months, alternatively with an organic oil spray and then an organic copper spray. This will keep insects and fungal diseases at bay.

Citrus are hungry plants and require regular feeding with a Citrus fertiliser at least twice a year. When grown in pots, they will require additional applications, including a possible application of Epsom salts (Magnesium Sulphate) (when leaves lose their green colour), to maintain healthy fresh and green leaves.

Lemon Meyer fragrant flower

Mandarins

The most popular Mandarins are commonly named “easy peal” Mandarins. The skin of these Mandarins comes away easy, making them ideally suited for children as they get to the juicy segments quickly, without the hassle of carefully trying to peel away the skin of other Mandarin varieties. Other varieties might have more flavour, but the downside is that peeling the skin requires more care and effort. To get the best flavour from your Mandarin, they are best grown in full sun, in the garden or a large pot.

Little pruning is required other than removing dead or diseased branches. Removing some internal growth to get better airflow through the Mandarin does help in preventing fungal and insect problems. Any pruning should be done straight after all the mandarins have been picked.

Care of Mandarins, to maintain a healthy plant, it is recommended to spray a Mandarin every three months, alternatively with an organic oil spray and then an organic copper spray. This will keep insects and fungal diseases at bay.

Mandarins are hungry plants and require regular feeding with a Citrus fertiliser at least twice a year. When grown in pots, they will require additional applications, including a possible application of Epsom salts (Magnesium Sulphate) (when leaves lose their green colour), to maintain healthy fresh and green leaves.

Mandarin fragrant flower

Limes

Tahitian Lime, Bearss Lime, Kaffir lime, Finger Lime

Each of the limes has its own features. The Tahitian Lime is the more traditional Lime with its distinct lime aroma and flavour. This variety is often used for drinks, juicing, garnishes and dressings. It is a vigorous and hardy plant that requires regular trimming throughout the year to maintain its shape and ensure the limes on the plant get the required sunlight. It can be grown in either semi-shade or full sun.

The Bearss Lime variety has become more popular lately as it is a more compact plant and better suited to container growing. Its pulp is slightly more acidic than the Tahitian Lime but is just as popular for drinks, juicing, baking and garnishes.

Kaffir Limes are predominantly used for leaves (they are easily recognised for their distinct ‘double segmented’ leaves), used in soups and broths and often used to infuse anything from Teas, pickling juice to a salt cure or sugar syrup. The Kaffir Lime leaves are often used in South-East Asian cuisine. The rind and juice of the fruit can also be used. It can be grown equally successfully in the garden or a pot.

Finger Limes are the latest sensation in the Citrus family. The uniquely shaped fruit (shaped like small fingers) contains many tiny spherical vessels (called ‘lime caviar’). When these are chewed, they pop, releasing a tart, citrusy flavour. The ‘lime caviar’ can also be used as garnishes for puddings, cheesecakes, ice creams and other decadent desserts. Chefs use them alongside seafood, sushi, pasta, and other foods that benefit from the crunchy pop of the bubbles and that tart, citrusy flavour. The ‘lime caviar’ is only limited to your imagination!!. The only downside of the Finger Lime is the very thorny bush the finger limes grow on. The thorns are plentiful on a vigorous growing bush that can be trimmed hard after harvesting the finger limes. Easily grown in containers but be wary of the thorns!

Care of Limes. Like all other Citrus plants, to maintain a healthy plant, it is recommended to spray Finger Limes every three months, alternatively with an organic oil spray and then an organic copper spray. This will keep insects and fungal diseases at bay.

Citrus are hungry plants and require regular feeding with a Citrus fertiliser at least twice a year. When grown in pots, they will require additional applications, including a possible application of Epsom salts (Magnesium Sulphate) (when leaves lose their green colour), to maintain healthy fresh and green leaves.

Tahitian Lime fruit

Kaffir Lime Leave

Finger Lime