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Hints on Pruning Citrus Trees

Citrus trees, such as New Zealand grapefruit and mandarin, and especially Meyer lemon, are to he found growing in Christchurch, particularly on the hills. Instruction on their care should be one of general interest, and pruning will be discussed in this article. The most frequent question is whether they should be pruned at all, and this is followed by “If so. how?” As with all fruiting subjects. it is pointless to try to prune them if the growth and fruiting habits are not known. Citrus trees are evergreens, indigenous to countries with mild climates with a fairly heavy but well-distributed annual rainfall. They have no sharply defined dormant period and growth is produced in several flushes annually, quite unlike an apple tree for example, which has a definite dormant stage and one main growing period. The citrus tree makes some growth during the spring. summer and autumn, with a few weeks only of inactivity in winter. Fruiting is also quite different from that of more domestic subjects. Usually citrus blossom in late spring, November to December and, depending on the variety’, fruit maturity can be expected between June and November. Lemon trees, in particular the Meyer lemon which is not a true lemon at all but iconsidered to be a hybrid between a lemon and an orange, produce both flowers and fruit at the same time throughout the year, although greatest yields are obtained between autumn and spring and early summer. The fruiting habit of citrus trees influences shape and distribution of fruit. With the exception of lemons, citrus fruits are borne towards the tips of the,current season’s growth and in consequence are to be found growing predominantly towards the outer regions of the tree. Fruit of i lemon trees is also carried on

v'this wood, but as well on i- older lateral growth: thus disr tribution is not confined and - a less compact tree also 1- results. - Initial pruning of the e newly-planted citrus tree is 1 carried out with the same 1 specific intentions as those applied to any other fruiting 1 subject—to build up as strong ? and well balanced a perman--5 ent framework of main limbs or leaders as possible. Ilow- ■ ever, whereas heading-back >’ is the usual procedure with 1 other kinds of fruit trees. ' this is only necessary In the case of citrus ’trees where • poorly developed trees have 1 been purchased, and or severe '' root pruning has been needed ’ because of damage. Select about five well spaced ' branches and remove all the ! others. ' In the following few years ! cut out any shoots which ■ appear to he competing with , the main framework and any ; suckers arising from the , stock. Thereafter apply the [ following principles: s Cut out all diseased, dead, crossing or centrally situated wood. Thin out weak or spent s fruiting wood, especially from lemon trees, a task which can he accomplished when picking the fruit by /removing it with a length of twig attached. This can he ! achieved by cutting back to ; a lateral shoot with a pair of sharp secateurs or similar | tool. 1 Avoid removal of healthy ; young wood unless absolute ly • necessary for some particular 1 reason. | j Maintain regular, light ; pruning once the tree is bearing but attempt to allow it to ; grow as naturally as possible. Pinning of this nature can be • done at any time of the year but is perhaps best done In late winter. Avoid hard or excessive pruning which, if necessary,; is usually indicative of neglect of the principles so far out lined. Water shoots are frequently! 1 found to develop. These very ' I vigorous upright branches are! | usually cut out on sight, but can be developed Into good (fruiting arms if they are well 1 'positioned by tying down.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19660715.2.65.6

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31112, 15 July 1966, Page 6

Word count
Tapeke kupu
630

Hints on Pruning Citrus Trees Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31112, 15 July 1966, Page 6

Hints on Pruning Citrus Trees Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31112, 15 July 1966, Page 6

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