Gardeners with citrus fruit in their garden must do 1 job now for 'leafy' summer plants
The splendour of citrus plants comes from the lush green leaves that flourish before the vibrant fruits emerge.
Citrus plants are known for their beautiful foliage in varying earthy shades of green, making them attractive to grow at home. Their delicate flowers are another reason many gardeners opt for citrus plants, but ultimately, the main goal is a harvest of homegrown fruit.
However, it can be difficult to achieve, says The Royal Horticultural Society: "While citrus may not be the easiest plants to grow, if you can give them the right conditions, they’ll reward you with fragrant white flowers, glossy evergreen leaves and juicy, tangy fruits." In April specifically, gardeners in the UK must focus on one important task to ensure success. The gardening experts at GrowVeg said: "If you’re growing citrus such as lemons, kumquats or limes, once you start to notice fresh growth, it’s time to start feeding plants to support their development."
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How to feed citrus plants
Feeding with citrus fertiliser is a crucial part of the year-round care of citrus plants, regardless of the exact fruit they may produce.
The GrowVeg team suggest using a purpose-sold organic citrus feed suitable for the summer. "Summer feeds have a higher concentration of nitrogen to support leafy growth, alongside trace elements to encourage those precious flowers and fruits," they said.
According to the RHS, such products can and should be applied at equal intervals from late March to October. You should be able to buy citrus feed from a good garden centre.
It is also important to keep plants thoroughly watered as growth picks up.
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Apply fertiliser around the root zone, not near the trunk, using a citrus-specific formula, and water thoroughly before and after application.
To properly water citrus plants, water deeply when the top inch or two of the soil feels dry.
Always check the soil when watering or feeding citrus plants; then, once a year, in late spring, remove the top 5cm (two inches) of old potting compost and replace it with fresh compost.
Keeping your plants in the optimal environment is also vital to stimulate a successful harvest.
Most citrus plants, especially lemons, are best placed on a garden patio from late spring. Conservatories, even north-facing ones, can get unbearably hot in summer, so your plant will be happier outside, and any flowers stand a better chance of pollination.
If you notice a stunt in growth, consider transferring your plant to a larger container if the roots are congested.
Signs of root congestion in potted citrus plants include wilting, yellowing or browning leaves and roots emerging from drainage holes or the pot's surface.
Citrus doesn't always follow a strict fruiting season in the UK; they usually flower at some point between February and May.
