A plant that is growing only vegetation this year will need less fertilizer than one that is bearing fruit.Ĭonversely, if trees have had extensive freeze damage to limbs, fertilizing will help regrow the tree. Fertilize conservatively in early spring and wait until the fruit drop period is passed to assess cropload and adjust fertilizer. So, delay pruning And be on guard against a late spring frost if trees are actively growing.įreeze injury and loss of foliage may impair a tree’s ability to set a good crop of fruit. Pruning does not help rescue or lessen damage to the plant, and pruning too soon may expose the tree to more damage in a later frost or freeze event. Full extent of damage sometimes takes well into the spring after warm temperatures commence and the tree is trying to regrow. Many types of freeze injury will be seen in 2011 after hard freezes, from completely dead to only leaf damage. Meyer or Valley Lemon (not a true lemon).Plants that will be severely damaged in the 23-28 range: These will survive mid-teens, possibly lower if the freeze event occurs when plants are fully acclimated (January at the earliest, depending on the year).Changsa tangerine (palatability questionable).The earliest maturing citrus fruits are satsumas, tangerines, other mandarins, and some sweet oranges. The pattern of severe winter freezes is quite unpredictable and it is possible to go through several successive winter seasons, grow citrus plants to appreciable size, and then encounter a severely damaging or killing freeze event.Įarly fruit maturity (October-December) is important in cold climates like central Texas, because fruit is damaged at temperatures of 28 F on all citrus. Even areas south of I-10 will be challenged in many winters. Mainstream (edible/popular) citrus cannot be grown north of I-10 without regard for freeze protection.
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