I've watched at least 100 videos trying to figure out minor issues. Came upon yours and learned more in 20 minutes than the hours I put into watching others. I'm finding that other gardeners and professionals are trying to make it seem a bit more difficult than it has to be and you pretty much let everyone know it's not that hard. Observation and persistence is key to growing stuff. Thanks for your knowledge!
Hey John! I'm glad I was of some help. I try and keep things as simple as I can. Thanks for watching and I really do appreciate the kind words, comments! All my very best, -Mark
When our citrus is close to “expiring”, we juice what is left, freeze in ice cube trays, then fill freezer zip bags. Then, during the winter months, anytime we need fresh lemon juice, we take out the number of cubes needed, thaw them and wallah ! Fresh juice for lemonade, vegetables or whatever you need it for. Best of all, no waste.
Hi! It really is, isn't it! When they are in bloom in the greenhouses in the winter, the sweet scent fills the entire greenhouses and is just so nice to have on a cold winter day! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching/commenting! You have a great weekend! Best, -Mark
Nice Mark!... when I move to Florida years ago there were orange groves everywhere now the Orange Groves are housing developments. You could go out in December, January, February and smell the orange blossoms and Jasmine's it was absolutely wonderful. I bought my citrus trees from a nursery here and they told me not to eat the first Year's growth. Also I also use plastic pots because they dry out quicker. The nursery also told me to keep the plants cool, not freezing December, January and February that would make the fruit sweeter. Thanks again so much for taking time out I'm sharing your knowledge with us your viewers. Thanks...
Maryland boy now in Palm Springs CA. I have a yard full of mature citrus: tangelo, pink grapefruit, blood orange, Valencia orange, Kumquat, and the only non-citrus, black mission fig. My trees produce massive amounts of fruit every year, much of which is shared with friends. This coming winter I’ll make a video and send to you of all the trees filled with fruit.
Omg the smell of a Tahitian lime. Hoping to keep mine alive again this year. I have several citrus trees and to keep them alive has been a challenge for me due to several factors but your tips were helpful
Hi! I should be the one thanking you guys for watching! So, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video too. I really love what I do and I hope it shows. Sharing....It's all my pleasure! Thanks for watching/commenting! You have a great weekend! Best, -Mark
Thanks for the info, Mark. If you are taking requests, I'd love to see a detailed video of caring for roots of mature (getting along in years) container citrus. Specifically, a video of you removing a plant, trimming the roots, and repotting would be fantastic.
Hey! You're very welcome! To be honest, our pots are between 25 and 30 years old and we've never done that at all. We would actually never be able to remove them from the pots with out breaking the pots to do so. I know it's a good idea to change the pots every 4 years or so, but they are so old and have never shown any issues, so at this point, I think it's not worth the risk. I do have one Meyer Lemon that I am going to plant in a larger pot, but that will be this winter when the tree is not in active growth and I'll make a video showing transplanting that. Sometime in Jan. Thanks for watching and of course, I appreciate your comments too! Have a great week! Best, -Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 Thanks for the reply, Mark. I really appreciate you responding! That is great news to know; I think I was operating under wrong information. My 15 year old key lime was nothing but roots and based on my limited knowledge I thought I had to trim down the root ball. I did so last year, but I have no idea if I did it correctly (that assumed I had to do it at all). This year's lime harvest is just ripening and the plant seems healthy and happy, but that key lime has always been very forgiving to me. Sorry for the root hair cut, little guy! I love my container citrus; they are my pets.
This was a wonderful post. Not just for citus plants, but for all kinds of perennials. Incredibly useful for any gardener who lives north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Oh, this video is so helpful! I got a Meyer lemon and navel orange trees this season when they went on sale and everyone was telling me I was going to kill them when I brought them inside for the winter. Your video was right on time, I was about to give them away! Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi! That's great to hear the video was of some help! Sharing...It really is all my pleasure. I appreciate you watching and of course, thank you for your comments as well. You have a wonderful weekend! Best, -Mark
Fantastic video, as always. I live in Palm Springs and when I moved here 20 years ago I was very surprised to see that citrus trees can take really hot weather (summer temps often top 120ºF) and direct sunlight with virtually no problems at all. In fact, the trees that I have in partial sun often don’t fruit until they are moved to full sun. I do have a few in pots that I have to be a little more careful with because if the pot heats up too much it can put a hurtin’ on the trees. The other big problem we have here is wind. My trees bloom in the spring which is also when the wind storms come through and sometimes take a lot of blossoms. Blood orange is my favorite citrus tree-amazing!
That would be incredible just walking in your back yard and having all that available to pick. I assume most of it bear's in the winter months? Garden rock star!......lol Well, I can dream, right!
Very interesting I always put plants outside on the deck in the summer and bring them in for fall and winter and the watering portion was great news. I'll have to change my method Thanks
Hey Mark! This video is extremely helpful for someone who grows their citrus tree on container, like Me 😀😀 I'm sure everyone who does the same appreciates it. Thanks Man!
New sub from Central Victoria Australia. We have just planted a 20 tree orchard so we will be going through your playlist for advice and ideas. Great channel. Best wishes from down under.
Hi SCF! I'm glad you are enjoying the channel. Thank you! If you would and ever get the chance, I'd love to see some pictures. Marksgardenlife@gmail.com I have a lot of viewers in Australia, so one of these days I'm going to come visit when the viewership gets high enough and have some meet and greets. Thanks for watching and commenting as well! And best wishes to you as well! -Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 we have a few videos on our channel with our orchard and the fencing that we installed to keep the kangaroos, rabbits and hares out. Hope you get to come down under. Our place is your place mate. We in near Bendigo in Central victoria. There is a beer in the fridge with your name on it! Ill send you some photos too.
I checked out some of your videos. That's a healthy looking herd of cattle! The terrain in a way reminds me of central Florida. Thanks for your gracious offer! I'll remember about that beer too! lol
@@marksgardenlife5971 they are murray greys and we just love them. Very nice temperment. Its looking at its best at the moment. We only get 20-24 inches of rain here annually so in about 2-3 months its going to look a lot drier, browner and challenging but that is what it is living in Australia.
I find that the little biggest issue I’ve had in the past has been Fungus gnats! One thing that helps is letting the soil (first several inches ) dry out before watering again. Also a light layer of sand has helped block them. I was using little river rocks but they seemed to bypass those. Sand has worked for me and fungus gnat traps!
Thank Mark. I’m growing my first fruit trees in containers. Growing Meyer Lemon, Variegated Lemon and Kumquat. I have about 6 Meyer Lemons on the tree and several Kumquats on the tree.
Bought my first lime tree this past summer, so this video is so perfect because I live in Iowa & it won’t be long before I have to bring it inside and have been trying to find out how to keep it alive during the winter!
Wow, I have ALWAYS wanted to have dwarf citrus trees to keep indoors for decoration, I never thought about moving them outdoors :) You've inspired me to get some citrus trees for the upcoming year for SURE!
Another great video Mark! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with us. You’ve given me some great tips for caring for our potted lemon tree. Keep up the good work. Greetings from Cape Cod!
Very interesting video, and lots of very helpful information (especially about bringing plants indoors during the winter). I never considered citrus indoors, but now you've got me thinking I might. Thank you!
Hi Doug! I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you! I hope you do give them a try. They are really very easy. If you like lemons, try a Meyer Lemon. They are more compact and produce a lot of lemons on a small tree and a very flavorable lemon at that. I appreciate you watching and of course, thank you for your comments as well. Doug, you have a great week! Best, -Mark
It was so nice getting to the nursery today. The mums and asters we bought look great! Hope we didn't bother you saying hello. It was great meeting your friend John. Learned a lot from him in a short time! Have a great Fall season. Stephen
I live in Arizona and all my citrus stay outside year round. I keep my trees small and I plant in grow bags instead of other types of containers for healthier root development. Using the grow bags does require more frequent watering and fertilizer. During the hottest time of the year I use shade cloth to protect against sunburn. I have kept citrus inside my house year round with grow lights. The fragrance is wonderful but it does require manual pollination if you want the blossoms to set fruit.
Hi Latricia! I wish I could leave my citrus out year around! That's very interesting how you keep them in the grow bags. Thanks for watching and of course, commenting as well! Latricia, you have a wonderful weekend! Best, -Mark
Hi EG! Yes it was one take. Lucky for me, I have a really good memory. I may miss a few things, but I like winging it. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you! Thanks so much for watching/commenting! You have a great weekend! Best, -Mark
You can do it , I live in the arctic and I have managed to get lime , red grapefruit , pineapple and mango to sprout 😁 working on the rest of the citrus grove, you just got to baby them during the winter and have grow lites for the non sunny days 😀
Mark, thanks for this video. I miss my Meyer lemons in California but after watching the video and going over it again I think I can grow one in my East Facing window, 20 floors up here in Portland Oregon. I will give it a try and let you know . Very helpful.
Great video, Mark! I haven't yet experimented with citrus here in zone 7b in Peachtree City, though I do have Metro Atlanta friends that have had success with patio versions of Meyer Lemon. Having a citrus tree would be convenient for some Lemon Cake - if I only had a recipe! LOL.
Hey Mark! How are you doing? Man this video could not have come at a good time for me as i'm having an issue with one of my citrus plants, you gave a very good incite information on looking after citrus, i love it :) and you're citrus trees there are looking fantastic, thank you for sharing this great information and tips. And today we had a pretty good hail storm and did just some minor damage to my roses and the avocado flowers and turned the whole area white like snow :) Best Gabby!
Hey Gabby! I'm doing well. Thanks for asking! Well, I'm glad I did the video because you and several others remarked about having citrus questions. Hail can do some real damage, so it sounds as if you were fairly lucky. Gabby, you have a great weekend! *What remains of it! Best, -Mark
Good afternoon Mark 😊 excellent video,Hope you are keeping very well,you look well on the videos you make and puppy is behaving herself 😆 All the very best as always 🌱🌱🌱💕🇬🇧💐
I didn't know before growing Washington navel oranges in So. Cal. that the ripe oranges themselves have a delicious floral fragrance on the skin that disappears shortly after picking. It enhances the enjoyment of eating the fruit fresh off the tree.
I’ve got this planned when my greenhouse is built! Can’t wait for the Meyer Lemon! Didn’t you say your mom has an amazing lemon recipe? Do share 😉 Brilliant video, Mark. Such awesome info! It’s a definite save for later. I love watching the whole process. Thanks!! 🙏🏻🙌🏻💞
Very useful info! Thanks so much! I know what u mean about the scent of the citrus and the neroli blossoms! Its intoxicating! I can't get enough of it... that i've now bought and use citrus and neroli essential oils so i can smell it through the house! lol
I've managed to get red grapefruit seeds to sprout and they're going strong plus my Persian lime tree has grown over 6 inches this year 😁 managed to get mangoes to sprout too 😀
Plastic pots are terrible for Arizona, the heat is trapped and cooks the roots. We generally use clay pots with citrus potting soil. We have to water everything once or twice a day during the summer as it is so it's not a huge deal to water trees in containers. I've actually gotten into the habit of growing everything in felt grow bags because they breathe a lot better and really help prevent overwatering. The roots also air prune so the plants don't get root bound. Afternoon shade is essential when the trees are young but do fine in full sun once they're between 7 and 10 years old. Shade cloths are a gardeners best friend here. We use anything from 20%-60% depending on what we're protecting.
I have tried my hand at "edible" gardening. Latest has been a fig tree that is doing so so.. Before that had some blackberry brambles. I unfortunately don't have the knowledge you obviously do. When I found out they were going to take over my yard I had to banish them despite how much I loved those berries. ( I am a lazy gardener. Brambles take constant attention) Have a great day
Hi David! You'll just have to try some easier things to grow! Don't give up on gardening! Thanks for watching and commenting too! You have a great week! Best, -Mark
hey Mark, great video. I was given a young lemon in a large plastic pot about two months ago, but it's gradually been dropping all its leaves and now looks very bare. Will its leaves grow back? There are little growths on the leaf nodes but I don't know if they are for new leaves. I am a citrus novice so any suggestions welcome. Thank you!
Great video. I have grown potted citrus trees in Maryland, Oklahoma, California and here in northern Nevada (pronounced just like you spell it, Nev-AD-a, not Nev-ODD-a).
Here in coastal NC so far the biggest pests I’ve had are Grasshoppers/Locust love eating the new growth. One of my satsumas got all its new growth eaten in a day before I found the culprits.
Walmart had most of their 1 cf bags of potting soil, raised bed soil and garden soil on clearance for $2 - $3 per bag today. I bought 14 bags of potting soil so I can try growing my hot peppers in 5 gallon buckets in the spring and let my regular garden rest under clear 3 mil plastic so to solarize the ground soil. I had a bad wilt virus destroy my plants this summer way too early. Q - am I doing the right thing??? Did I use the correct soil to do this??
I have a Meyer lemon tree and much to my surprise is it have huge thorns! I found out the hard way It’s still a very small tree as I got it as a twig so I have hopes of getting lemons next season
Thanks for the video, I was wondering; what kind of tree are citrus grafted to? Is it another citrus or something else? Would you be able to do a video showing how grafting is done?
Mark you just answered all my questions that I was going to goggle as to what to do with my Meyer lemon tree that’s outside In a pot here. In Charlotte, nc thx a lot I’ll let you know if it survives or not. I bought it spring 2021.. it’s grown so much looking forward to getting some fruit in the next yr or2.. I really like your channel. And again as I have written b4 I’ LOVE HOLLY. SORRY ABOUT YOUR OTHER. DOG. I have lost 2 dogs. Well take care. L
I have a few questions... Do you prune the big citrus trees? How long does it take for the grafted lemon to bear fruit? Do you remove the 1st set of flowers to allow the plant to grow better before allowing it to bear fruit?
I have been growing citrus in pots for more than 25 years. Recently moved to Eastern NC (zone 8) where, apparently, I can grow them outdoor. Purchased a 3 year old clementine and planted it according to the instructions in a South facing location. We have months of really hot humid weather and after over 3 months the tree is suffering. The leaves are still on but are constantly curled. I made sure to water during the first 2 weeks and since we have well draining soil (lots of sand) its roots do not sit in water. I water if there is no rain and it seems to be cool and only slightly damp under the mulch. I think it might be getting too much direct hot sun but I fear moving it since it most likely has set roots. I plan on wrapping it with a freeze blanket during winter although it does not get cold enough for the ground to freeze. I question if I should take the chance and move it or wait and see what happens next year. In regards to the pots, the local store carries citrus potting soil which seems to resemble what you describe as what you use. I also have had to cut them back brutally because of mite damage over winter and they surge back beautifully!
@@johnlockett7080 Thanks! All of the citrus I have seen is well established and is of the sour varieties. I purchased a sun block blanket that will hopefully protect it from the harsh afternoon sun. Keeping my fingers crossed!
@@marksgardenlife5971 some kind of cherry i bought from the grocery store the seed in the middle then u got to crack the seed to get the little one inside the actual seed its just now starting to sprout from the soil now
Thanks, Mark! Very helpful information. I feel like my lemon tree's odds of survival just increased dramatically. You didn't mention pruning--do Meyer lemons need to be pruned?
Hi Brian! Thank you! Prunning....I only prune if necessary such as if a branch gets to long compared with the others. Other than that, none. You have a great week! Best, -Mark
What size are the pots for those large trees you were keeping in the background? Also They don't like to be wet or damp? I have my trees starting in large cattle protein bucket turned into a wicking tub so the ground is consistently damp, but not saturated so I was checking on the details of your comment. Thanks for a great video and any possible replies!!
Hi Shawn! Those are 26" diameter pots at the tops. No, citrus does not like to be kept wet at all. We let the citrus trees here dry between waterings and with them outside during the summer and as large as they are, it probably averages every 3 to 4 days. Hope that helps! Best, -Mark
I have a beautiful old grapefruit tree that I grew from a seed when I was 20 - 40 years ago. It's never born fruit because I guess it's not grafted. But it's beautiful and my oldest friend.
Hi Christie! Most likely over-watering. Are the leaves turning yellow first before falling? It also can be drying down to much as well. Did you see leaf curl at some point? Best, -Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 hi thank you ! Yes , i didn t see yellow leaves but leaf curling, so i must ve over watering..I water them one day yes and one day not....
I’ve tried citrus many times but end up getting rid of them because they get scale so bad and it seems next to impossible to eliminate them completely despite spraying with safers soap type of insecticide. Any ideas? We really like your channel. Thank you for all the work you do.
Hi Sarah! The advantage of grafting trees together is that you are taking the best traits of each and blending them into a single tree, so for instance you could be looking for such traits of the parent trees as sweetness of fruit, higher fruit production, disease resistance, a higher frost resistance to name a few traits you would be looking for in citrus. So, yes, you do want to use another citrus tree. Thanks for watching/commenting! Sarah, you have a wonderful remaining week! Best, -Mark
So, what if you live in a colder climate (autumn and spring) that has some humidity but rarely goes over 25% during spring and autumn? I live in an 8b zone.
I'd really like to grow mandarin oranges but obviously our zone 5 is too cold for them and I think the tree probably grows too large for a screened porch. As for the soil situation. We have two large scale soil producers which both have anything from a dozen to two dozen different soil products either meant for specific use (i.e. perennials) or specific type of plant (i.e. hydrangeas) in addition to just having generic garden and potting soils. I assume you guys in te US also have a lot of different commercial soil products?
Hey Northie! There are more compact varieties such as the Clementines and Satsumas types which get around 8 feet, but also remember that in a pot such as the ones behind me in the video, the root system has limited space, so these trees do not get of the size as if they had been planted in the ground. As far as soil, you would need a mix with lots of bark so it would drain well in a climate such as yours. And yes, in the US, the choice of pretty much whatever you want are endless! lol Just go to a grocery store here and you would be shocked! lol Thanks for watching/commenting! You have a great weekend! Best, -Mark
My Meyer has fruits on it. I’m in San Antonio Tx. It can get cold down to 30’s. I’ll make sure I spray for all the bugs before I bring it inside BUT what do I do with ants 🐜 inside the pot? Remember It’s already set fruits sooo Can I still give it a new soil? Should I take out all the dirt from the roots and how much should i take off??
Hi Asonda! No, you should not disturb the soil at this point. Try the normal ant methods such as sticky traps, bait traps, etc. Hope that helps! Best, -Mark
Mark I recently purchased my first Meyer lemon tree to grow in a container. I live in baltimore, md what advice do you have for a first-time grower with a blue thumb.
Hi Latanya! They are actually really easy to keep. Keep them in as much natural sunlight as you can and do not overwater them. I water mine while in the greenhouses probably only once a week on average. They do not like being kept to wet. Good luck to you!!! Have a great weekend! Best, -Mark
I've watched at least 100 videos trying to figure out minor issues. Came upon yours and learned more in 20 minutes than the hours I put into watching others. I'm finding that other gardeners and professionals are trying to make it seem a bit more difficult than it has to be and you pretty much let everyone know it's not that hard. Observation and persistence is key to growing stuff. Thanks for your knowledge!
Hey John!
I'm glad I was of some help. I try and keep things as simple as I can. Thanks for watching and I really do appreciate the kind words, comments!
All my very best, -Mark
When our citrus is close to “expiring”, we juice what is left, freeze in ice cube trays, then fill freezer zip bags. Then, during the winter months, anytime we need fresh lemon juice, we take out the number of cubes needed, thaw them and wallah ! Fresh juice for lemonade, vegetables or whatever you need it for. Best of all, no waste.
Wallah is the most interesting interpretation of Voila that I think I’ve ever seen
Same!!! :)
The scent of citrus flower is amazing. Great video, really enjoyable to watch.
Hi!
It really is, isn't it! When they are in bloom in the greenhouses in the winter, the sweet scent fills the entire greenhouses and is just so nice to have on a cold winter day! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching/commenting!
You have a great weekend!
Best, -Mark
Mark, what can I say, you rock!
Nice Mark!... when I move to Florida years ago there were orange groves everywhere now the Orange Groves are housing developments. You could go out in December, January, February and smell the orange blossoms and Jasmine's it was absolutely wonderful. I bought my citrus trees from a nursery here and they told me not to eat the first Year's growth. Also I also use plastic pots because they dry out quicker. The nursery also told me to keep the plants cool, not freezing December, January and February that would make the fruit sweeter. Thanks again so much for taking time out I'm sharing your knowledge with us your viewers. Thanks...
Maryland boy now in Palm Springs CA. I have a yard full of mature citrus: tangelo, pink grapefruit, blood orange, Valencia orange, Kumquat, and the only non-citrus, black mission fig. My trees produce massive amounts of fruit every year, much of which is shared with friends. This coming winter I’ll make a video and send to you of all the trees filled with fruit.
I have the same hobby as Mark, I like to grow flowers and ornamental plants
He so handsome !!..thank you for so much citrus info …
Excellent video, Mark! Thanks for this one. I am in awe of your ability to keep talking without a pause. Very cool!
Great video Mark !
Glad I found this. I got a lemon and lime tree this year and needed the tips. Thanks
Hi Tom!
Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching/commenting!
Best, -Mark
Another great video, Mark!
Omg the smell of a Tahitian lime. Hoping to keep mine alive again this year. I have several citrus trees and to keep them alive has been a challenge for me due to several factors but your tips were helpful
Yes!! This is what I've been waiting for. I've always wanted to grow lemons in a container!!
Sounds like I was timely in making the video!
Thank you so much for watching/commenting!
You have a great weekend!
Best, -Mark
I have a few ponderosa lemon. One was from a cutting the others are from seed. I absolutely love them. Thanks for the tips.
Your very welcome! Thanks for watching!
Best, -Mark
Marks right, the blossoms smell wonderful!
Its easy to see that have a love for your citrus🍊🍋, well done video😋, Thank you for sharing
Hi!
I should be the one thanking you guys for watching! So, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video too. I really love what I do and I hope it shows. Sharing....It's all my pleasure! Thanks for watching/commenting!
You have a great weekend!
Best, -Mark
Thanks for this Mark. I've been thinking about growing some meyer lemons at home. this has been helpful
Very timely video as I’m preparing to plant citrus in containers in the desert of Phoenix. Zone 9b. Excellent info!
Thanks for the info, Mark. If you are taking requests, I'd love to see a detailed video of caring for roots of mature (getting along in years) container citrus. Specifically, a video of you removing a plant, trimming the roots, and repotting would be fantastic.
Hey!
You're very welcome! To be honest, our pots are between 25 and 30 years old and we've never done that at all. We would actually never be able to remove them from the pots with out breaking the pots to do so. I know it's a good idea to change the pots every 4 years or so, but they are so old and have never shown any issues, so at this point, I think it's not worth the risk. I do have one Meyer Lemon that I am going to plant in a larger pot, but that will be this winter when the tree is not in active growth and I'll make a video showing transplanting that. Sometime in Jan. Thanks for watching and of course, I appreciate your comments too!
Have a great week!
Best, -Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 Thanks for the reply, Mark. I really appreciate you responding! That is great news to know; I think I was operating under wrong information. My 15 year old key lime was nothing but roots and based on my limited knowledge I thought I had to trim down the root ball. I did so last year, but I have no idea if I did it correctly (that assumed I had to do it at all). This year's lime harvest is just ripening and the plant seems healthy and happy, but that key lime has always been very forgiving to me. Sorry for the root hair cut, little guy! I love my container citrus; they are my pets.
This was a wonderful post. Not just for citus plants, but for all kinds of perennials. Incredibly useful for any gardener who lives north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Thank you Hollis! I appreciate that. Thanks for watching and commenting as well.
Have a great upcoming week!
All my very best, -Mark
Oh, this video is so helpful! I got a Meyer lemon and navel orange trees this season when they went on sale and everyone was telling me I was going to kill them when I brought them inside for the winter. Your video was right on time, I was about to give them away! Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi!
That's great to hear the video was of some help! Sharing...It really is all my pleasure. I appreciate you watching and of course, thank you for your comments as well.
You have a wonderful weekend!
Best, -Mark
so many good tips not really heard mentioned before and the name of pot mix crucial and easy to search for.
Thanking You!
:-).
Hi BTT!
I'm really glad you found the video helpful. Thanks for watching/commenting!
You have a wonderful remaining week!
Best, -Mark
Fantastic video, as always. I live in Palm Springs and when I moved here 20 years ago I was very surprised to see that citrus trees can take really hot weather (summer temps often top 120ºF) and direct sunlight with virtually no problems at all. In fact, the trees that I have in partial sun often don’t fruit until they are moved to full sun. I do have a few in pots that I have to be a little more careful with because if the pot heats up too much it can put a hurtin’ on the trees. The other big problem we have here is wind. My trees bloom in the spring which is also when the wind storms come through and sometimes take a lot of blossoms. Blood orange is my favorite citrus tree-amazing!
Hey Mark loved this video, i used citrus around my back yard for privacy awesome lemons, limes and oranges. You are the garden rock star LOL
That would be incredible just walking in your back yard and having all that available to pick. I assume most of it bear's in the winter months? Garden rock star!......lol Well, I can dream, right!
You're so interesting. I'm sure your page will keep growing. 🍋🍈🍏🍐
Orange flowering season is amazing in Florida. For a couple of weeks (usually in early March), the evening air is just heady with the sweet scent.
Very interesting I always put plants outside on the deck in the summer and bring them in for fall and winter and the watering portion was great news. I'll have to change my method Thanks
Another great, informative video! Thanks Mark! 👍⭐️✨
Hi John!
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you and of course, you are very welcome!
You have a great weekend!
Best, -Mark
Such an awesome video!! Thanks for sharing!!
Perfect timing. Was just gifted a lemon tree and needed this information! Grazie mille. 💫
Hey Mark! This video is extremely helpful for someone who grows their citrus tree on container, like Me 😀😀 I'm sure everyone who does the same appreciates it. Thanks Man!
Sweet!!! Love all citrus fruit .... grow well down here in south TX 😎
Wow amazing info. Just discovered your channel!
New sub from Central Victoria Australia. We have just planted a 20 tree orchard so we will be going through your playlist for advice and ideas. Great channel. Best wishes from down under.
Hi SCF!
I'm glad you are enjoying the channel. Thank you!
If you would and ever get the chance, I'd love to see some pictures. Marksgardenlife@gmail.com I have a lot of viewers in Australia, so one of these days I'm going to come visit when the viewership gets high enough and have some meet and greets. Thanks for watching and commenting as well!
And best wishes to you as well!
-Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 we have a few videos on our channel with our orchard and the fencing that we installed to keep the kangaroos, rabbits and hares out. Hope you get to come down under. Our place is your place mate. We in near Bendigo in Central victoria. There is a beer in the fridge with your name on it! Ill send you some photos too.
I checked out some of your videos. That's a healthy looking herd of cattle! The terrain in a way reminds me of central Florida. Thanks for your gracious offer! I'll remember about that beer too! lol
@@marksgardenlife5971 they are murray greys and we just love them. Very nice temperment. Its looking at its best at the moment. We only get 20-24 inches of rain here annually so in about 2-3 months its going to look a lot drier, browner and challenging but that is what it is living in Australia.
I find that the little biggest issue I’ve had in the past has been
Fungus gnats! One thing that helps is letting the soil (first several inches ) dry out before watering again. Also a light layer of sand has helped block them. I was using little river rocks but they seemed to bypass those. Sand has worked for me and fungus gnat traps!
Great advice! Thanks.
Thank Mark. I’m growing my first fruit trees in containers. Growing Meyer Lemon, Variegated Lemon and Kumquat. I have about 6 Meyer Lemons on the tree and several Kumquats on the tree.
I’d like to start growing citrus trees. Any recommendations on where to buy them?
Bought my first lime tree this past summer, so this video is so perfect because I live in Iowa & it won’t be long before I have to bring it inside and have been trying to find out how to keep it alive during the winter!
LED grow lights are essential
I was thinking about having a lemon tree
Thank you for the teaching Sir
You very welcome!
John, you have a great weekend!
Best, -Mark
Wow, I have ALWAYS wanted to have dwarf citrus trees to keep indoors for decoration, I never thought about moving them outdoors :) You've inspired me to get some citrus trees for the upcoming year for SURE!
Another great video Mark! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with us. You’ve given me some great tips for caring for our potted lemon tree. Keep up the good work. Greetings from Cape Cod!
Very interesting video, and lots of very helpful information (especially about bringing plants indoors during the winter). I never considered citrus indoors, but now you've got me thinking I might. Thank you!
Hi Doug!
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you! I hope you do give them a try. They are really very easy. If you like lemons, try a Meyer Lemon. They are more compact and produce a lot of lemons on a small tree and a very flavorable lemon at that. I appreciate you watching and of course, thank you for your comments as well.
Doug, you have a great week!
Best, -Mark
It was so nice getting to the nursery today. The mums and asters we bought look great! Hope we didn't bother you saying hello. It was great meeting your friend John. Learned a lot from him in a short time!
Have a great Fall season.
Stephen
Very good video 📸👌
I live in Arizona and all my citrus stay outside year round. I keep my trees small and I plant in grow bags instead of other types of containers for healthier root development. Using the grow bags does require more frequent watering and fertilizer. During the hottest time of the year I use shade cloth to protect against sunburn.
I have kept citrus inside my house year round with grow lights. The fragrance is wonderful but it does require manual pollination if you want the blossoms to set fruit.
Hi Latricia!
I wish I could leave my citrus out year around! That's very interesting how you keep them in the grow bags. Thanks for watching and of course, commenting as well!
Latricia, you have a wonderful weekend!
Best, -Mark
wow amazing garden
Hi Reymond!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed.
All my very best, -Mark
For exceptional growing results, you need to wear flip flops when potting them.
And dungarees
I kick ass in flip flops
@@brianhanrahan7561 I think could hurt your toes jk
Perfect! And all in one take!
Hi EG!
Yes it was one take. Lucky for me, I have a really good memory. I may miss a few things, but I like winging it. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you! Thanks so much for watching/commenting!
You have a great weekend!
Best, -Mark
I would love to be able to have tropical plants like this here in Vermont.
You can do it , I live in the arctic and I have managed to get lime , red grapefruit , pineapple and mango to sprout 😁 working on the rest of the citrus grove, you just got to baby them during the winter and have grow lites for the non sunny days 😀
Mark, thanks for this video. I miss my Meyer lemons in California but after watching the video and going over it again I think I can grow one in my East Facing window, 20 floors up here in Portland Oregon. I will give it a try and let you know . Very helpful.
Great video, Mark! I haven't yet experimented with citrus here in zone 7b in Peachtree City, though I do have Metro Atlanta friends that have had success with patio versions of Meyer Lemon. Having a citrus tree would be convenient for some Lemon Cake - if I only had a recipe! LOL.
Hi Mark 😍
Thank you…..,i have always wanted a lemon tree…i will take your advice and see how it goes
Hey Mark! How are you doing?
Man this video could not have come at a good time for me as i'm having an issue with one of my citrus plants, you gave a very good incite information on looking after citrus, i love it :) and you're citrus trees there are looking fantastic, thank you for sharing this great information and tips.
And today we had a pretty good hail storm and did just some minor damage to my roses and the avocado flowers and turned the whole area white like snow :)
Best Gabby!
Hey Gabby!
I'm doing well. Thanks for asking! Well, I'm glad I did the video because you and several others remarked about having citrus questions. Hail can do some real damage, so it sounds as if you were fairly lucky.
Gabby, you have a great weekend! *What remains of it!
Best, -Mark
Good afternoon Mark 😊 excellent video,Hope you are keeping very well,you look well on the videos you make and puppy is behaving herself 😆 All the very best as always 🌱🌱🌱💕🇬🇧💐
I didn't know before growing Washington navel oranges in So. Cal. that the ripe oranges themselves have a delicious floral fragrance on the skin that disappears shortly after picking. It enhances the enjoyment of eating the fruit fresh off the tree.
I’ve got this planned when my greenhouse is built! Can’t wait for the Meyer Lemon! Didn’t you say your mom has an amazing lemon recipe? Do share 😉
Brilliant video, Mark. Such awesome info! It’s a definite save for later. I love watching the whole process. Thanks!! 🙏🏻🙌🏻💞
Thank you
Hi Elizabeth!
Your so very welcome!
Best, -Mark
i love your channel, that's very interesting (and i love you🤪), btw i like planting trees in pots/as bonsai, i feel as i am more nin control
Very useful info! Thanks so much! I know what u mean about the scent of the citrus and the neroli blossoms! Its intoxicating! I can't get enough of it... that i've now bought and use citrus and neroli essential oils so i can smell it through the house! lol
Hey YJ!
It's my pleasure! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching/commenting!
Best, -Mark
I've managed to get red grapefruit seeds to sprout and they're going strong plus my Persian lime tree has grown over 6 inches this year 😁 managed to get mangoes to sprout too 😀
I wore the exact same outfit at work not too long ago but with tennis shoes 😂
Hi Kylee!
Good taste! lol
Plastic pots are terrible for Arizona, the heat is trapped and cooks the roots. We generally use clay pots with citrus potting soil. We have to water everything once or twice a day during the summer as it is so it's not a huge deal to water trees in containers. I've actually gotten into the habit of growing everything in felt grow bags because they breathe a lot better and really help prevent overwatering. The roots also air prune so the plants don't get root bound. Afternoon shade is essential when the trees are young but do fine in full sun once they're between 7 and 10 years old. Shade cloths are a gardeners best friend here. We use anything from 20%-60% depending on what we're protecting.
I have tried my hand at "edible" gardening. Latest has been a fig tree that is doing so so.. Before that had some blackberry brambles. I unfortunately don't have the knowledge you obviously do. When I found out they were going to take over my yard I had to banish them despite how much I loved those berries. ( I am a lazy gardener. Brambles take constant attention) Have a great day
Hi David!
You'll just have to try some easier things to grow! Don't give up on gardening! Thanks for watching and commenting too!
You have a great week!
Best, -Mark
hey Mark, great video. I was given a young lemon in a large plastic pot about two months ago, but it's gradually been dropping all its leaves and now looks very bare. Will its leaves grow back? There are little growths on the leaf nodes but I don't know if they are for new leaves. I am a citrus novice so any suggestions welcome. Thank you!
West Coast Canada bring mine in before frost in fall / back outside in spring all just babies but I hope to sell most of them
Great video. I have grown potted citrus trees in Maryland, Oklahoma, California and here in northern Nevada (pronounced just like you spell it, Nev-AD-a, not Nev-ODD-a).
Glad you enjoyed! Thank you! I appreciate you watching and of course commenting too!
You have a great upcoming weekend!
Best, -Mark
So can you start citrus trees from seeds and what is the best method
Great advice, thank you :)
You're so welcome!
Best, -Mark
Here in coastal NC so far the biggest pests I’ve had are Grasshoppers/Locust love eating the new growth. One of my satsumas got all its new growth eaten in a day before I found the culprits.
That reminds me that I have to repot my lemon,lol
Walmart had most of their 1 cf bags of potting soil, raised bed soil and garden soil on clearance for $2 - $3 per bag today. I bought 14 bags of potting soil so I can try growing my hot peppers in 5 gallon buckets in the spring and let my regular garden rest under clear 3 mil plastic so to solarize the ground soil. I had a bad wilt virus destroy my plants this summer way too early.
Q - am I doing the right thing??? Did I use the correct soil to do this??
I have a Meyer lemon tree and much to my surprise is it have huge thorns! I found out the hard way
It’s still a very small tree as I got it as a twig so I have hopes of getting lemons next season
Thanks for the video, I was wondering; what kind of tree are citrus grafted to? Is it another citrus or something else? Would you be able to do a video showing how grafting is done?
They aren’t always grafted but when they are, it is often onto trifoliate orange
Awesome video! Excited to buy and grow some citrus trees. Any recommendations for where to buy them?
Mark you just answered all my questions that I was going to goggle as to what to do with my Meyer lemon tree that’s outside In a pot here. In Charlotte, nc thx a lot I’ll let you know if it survives or not. I bought it spring 2021.. it’s grown so much looking forward to getting some fruit in the next yr or2.. I really like your channel. And again as I have written b4 I’ LOVE HOLLY.
SORRY ABOUT YOUR OTHER. DOG. I have lost 2 dogs. Well take care. L
I have a few questions... Do you prune the big citrus trees? How long does it take for the grafted lemon to bear fruit? Do you remove the 1st set of flowers to allow the plant to grow better before allowing it to bear fruit?
I'm not gonna lie. I totally clicked on this because he's good looking. lol
Well, if it gets a new person interested in gardening, I'm happy! lol
Mark, I need a good source of large plastic pots, do you have a suggested source?
I have been growing citrus in pots for more than 25 years. Recently moved to Eastern NC (zone 8) where, apparently, I can grow them outdoor. Purchased a 3 year old clementine and planted it according to the instructions in a South facing location. We have months of really hot humid weather and after over 3 months the tree is suffering. The leaves are still on but are constantly curled. I made sure to water during the first 2 weeks and since we have well draining soil (lots of sand) its roots do not sit in water. I water if there is no rain and it seems to be cool and only slightly damp under the mulch. I think it might be getting too much direct hot sun but I fear moving it since it most likely has set roots. I plan on wrapping it with a freeze blanket during winter although it does not get cold enough for the ground to freeze. I question if I should take the chance and move it or wait and see what happens next year. In regards to the pots, the local store carries citrus potting soil which seems to resemble what you describe as what you use. I also have had to cut them back brutally because of mite damage over winter and they surge back beautifully!
I’d give it more time to settle in. But, you can check around your area to see what conditions others are growing their citrus in.
@@johnlockett7080 Thanks! All of the citrus I have seen is well established and is of the sour varieties. I purchased a sun block blanket that will hopefully protect it from the harsh afternoon sun. Keeping my fingers crossed!
I just started growing a cherry plant an i stay in Maryland myself ✊🏿💯
Hi!
Tidewater VA is a nice area. What variety Cherry?
@@marksgardenlife5971 some kind of cherry i bought from the grocery store the seed in the middle then u got to crack the seed to get the little one inside the actual seed its just now starting to sprout from the soil now
Great Video! How do I know when it's time to repot a citrus tree?
Thanks, Mark! Very helpful information. I feel like my lemon tree's odds of survival just increased dramatically. You didn't mention pruning--do Meyer lemons need to be pruned?
Hi Brian!
Thank you! Prunning....I only prune if necessary such as if a branch gets to long compared with the others. Other than that, none.
You have a great week!
Best, -Mark
What size are the pots for those large trees you were keeping in the background? Also They don't like to be wet or damp? I have my trees starting in large cattle protein bucket turned into a wicking tub so the ground is consistently damp, but not saturated so I was checking on the details of your comment. Thanks for a great video and any possible replies!!
Hi Shawn!
Those are 26" diameter pots at the tops. No, citrus does not like to be kept wet at all. We let the citrus trees here dry between waterings and with them outside during the summer and as large as they are, it probably averages every 3 to 4 days. Hope that helps!
Best, -Mark
I have a beautiful old grapefruit tree that I grew from a seed when I was 20 - 40 years ago. It's never born fruit because I guess it's not grafted. But it's beautiful and my oldest friend.
where's your nursery?? I'm in Damascus. Enjoy your posts.
Hey Mark. Any suggestions to get rid of Citris Wasp, a real problem here in OZ? Love yr videos btw ; )
Our house is very dry in winter. Do you do anything for extra humidity?
Some people run a humidifier nearby but also make sure your plant gets enough light. I find LED grow lights make a big difference
Hi lots leaves and tiny lemos are falling off my lemon tree , can you tell me what i.m doing wrong ..thanks
Hi Christie!
Most likely over-watering. Are the leaves turning yellow first before falling? It also can be drying down to much as well. Did you see leaf curl at some point?
Best, -Mark
@@marksgardenlife5971 hi thank you ! Yes , i didn t see yellow leaves but leaf curling, so i must ve over watering..I water them one day yes and one day not....
I’ve tried citrus many times but end up getting rid of them because they get scale so bad and it seems next to impossible to eliminate them completely despite spraying with safers soap type of insecticide. Any ideas? We really like your channel. Thank you for all the work you do.
I wipe mine down with rubbing alcohol but you have to keep checking and reapplying every week
Do you have any calamondins? I’ve had one about 20 years now.
If you want to graft a lemon tree, do you need to use a citrus tree? Or could it be any tree? Thank you for your lesson!
Hi Sarah!
The advantage of grafting trees together is that you are taking the best traits of each and blending them into a single tree, so for instance you could be looking for such traits of the parent trees as sweetness of fruit, higher fruit production, disease resistance, a higher frost resistance to name a few traits you would be looking for in citrus. So, yes, you do want to use another citrus tree. Thanks for watching/commenting!
Sarah, you have a wonderful remaining week!
Best, -Mark
So, what if you live in a colder climate (autumn and spring) that has some humidity but rarely goes over 25% during spring and autumn? I live in an 8b zone.
In Arizona, we use 30% shade cloth for our citrus for the most part until the citrus get large enough to create their own shade.
I guess you really have some intense sun/heat!
I'd really like to grow mandarin oranges but obviously our zone 5 is too cold for them and I think the tree probably grows too large for a screened porch. As for the soil situation. We have two large scale soil producers which both have anything from a dozen to two dozen different soil products either meant for specific use (i.e. perennials) or specific type of plant (i.e. hydrangeas) in addition to just having generic garden and potting soils. I assume you guys in te US also have a lot of different commercial soil products?
Hey Northie!
There are more compact varieties such as the Clementines and Satsumas types which get around 8 feet, but also remember that in a pot such as the ones behind me in the video, the root system has limited space, so these trees do not get of the size as if they had been planted in the ground. As far as soil, you would need a mix with lots of bark so it would drain well in a climate such as yours. And yes, in the US, the choice of pretty much whatever you want are endless! lol Just go to a grocery store here and you would be shocked! lol Thanks for watching/commenting!
You have a great weekend!
Best, -Mark
My Meyer has fruits on it. I’m in San Antonio Tx. It can get cold down to 30’s. I’ll make sure I spray for all the bugs before I bring it inside BUT what do I do with ants 🐜 inside the pot? Remember It’s already set fruits sooo Can I still give it a new soil? Should I take out all the dirt from the roots and how much should i take off??
Hi Asonda!
No, you should not disturb the soil at this point. Try the normal ant methods such as sticky traps, bait traps, etc. Hope that helps!
Best, -Mark
QUESTION: Do you know if several citrus trees be grafted onto one tree? Example would be a tree with a lemon, lime, tangerine or meyers lemon branch?
Hi Tim!
In theory yes as long as the trees are of compatible varieties or species and genus.
Mark I recently purchased my first Meyer lemon tree to grow in a container. I live in baltimore, md what advice do you have for a first-time grower with a blue thumb.
Hi Latanya!
They are actually really easy to keep. Keep them in as much natural sunlight as you can and do not overwater them. I water mine while in the greenhouses probably only once a week on average. They do not like being kept to wet. Good luck to you!!!
Have a great weekend!
Best, -Mark
I liked it before it even started!