When is the best time to prune an orange tree? Is it a good idea to top the tree?
November 6, 2009 by Brian Brown
Filed under Q & A
Answer:
The best time to prune citrus trees is anytime from March to August, after the fruit has set so you can see where it is. That way you don’t prune off any of your harvest. You can remove any “suckers” or shoots that are growing from the root stock at any time.
Topping the citrus tree (or any tree) is never a good idea. It causes the tree to grow improperly and weakens the tree drastically allowing for insects and disease to move in. In general, citrus require occasional pruning, not heavy or regular pruning. You want to remove any wild shoots growing beyond the general shape of the tree. These long branches can be heavy (especially if there is fruit on them) and get caught in the wind and can break and rip causing serious damage to the tree. Thinning out some foliage is recommended in some cases where it is extremely dense to allow proper light and air flow.
If you have any more questions regarding your citrus please let us know, or check out the citrus section in our online VerdeGo library at http://verdego.com/07/citrus/
When is the best time to plant Amaryllis bulbs?
November 4, 2009 by Brian Brown
Filed under Q & A
Answer:
The planting period for Amaryllis is October until the end of April and their flowering period is late December until the end of June. Their flowering time is usually 2-3 months and larger bulbs will produce more flowers. It is usually good practice to place the base and roots of the bulbs in lukewarm water for a few hours prior to planting. If you can’t plant the bulbs immediately after purchasing them, store them in a cool temperature place. Plant the bulb up to its neck in the potting compost and press the soil down firmly to make sure the bulb is set securely. Plant them in a spot with filtered light and water often until the stem appears. Whether grown indoors or out, these are a beautiful plants.
