Soil Type
Successful cultivation of citrus in the heavy land, medium and sandy land, provided that the deep soil, good ventilation, good water permeability. Acidity has an effect on tree growth; citrus may be grown best between pH 5.5-7 and can tolerate up to 8.5. Soil salinity also has a significant impact on growth and excess salinity reduces the growth of trees and reduces yield.
Temperatures
Citrus trees begin to grow at temperature of 13-18 ° C but grow best between 32-35C. Growing slows as the temperature rises and ceases around 48C.
Water Requirements
Citrus trees are need a permanent source of irrigation. Whatever the source of irrigation water, it must be free of harmful salts (e.g. is sodium chloride salts and oxides of the magnesium-boron salts) and the proportion of these salts in irrigation water must be no more than 0.5 g/l for sodium chloride and 0.05 g/l the magnesium oxide and 0.25 mg/l salts boron.
Heavy irrigation during flowering must be avoided or there is a risk of premature flower fall. Irrigation during fruit formation must be fast, light and frequent until the fruit gains the size of a chickpea.
Nutrition Requirements
Citrus may be grown in a range of soils, ranging from sandy land through the light land, medium and heavy clay soils and each has its positive and negative properties. Fertilization is very important for citrus trees to grow and especially for fruit setting, Organic fertilization is important as are mineral fertilizers, but soil analysis is required to confirm needs.
Harvesting Period
Orange: July – December. Mandarin: September – December. Lemon: September
Harvesting Methods
Hand picking
