If the thought of growing citrus trees sounds impossible because of where you live, not to worry. Don Dillon of Four Winds Growers in Fremont, California, shows just how sweet it can be to grow dwarf citrus trees anywhere in the country. Don has been in the fruit business for nearly 50 years and definitely knows his citrus.
Growing the trees is fairly simple. Mail order or the internet is your best bet for a wide variety of citrus trees, especially if you want something more exotic. The trees arrive bare-root and need to be planted immediately. All you need is some good potting soil and a pot.
Choosing a tree
The hardest part is choosing which citrus tree you want to grow. Some of the most popular varieties for indoors include the Meyer lemon and the Bearss lime, which is seedless and has a great fragrance. If you want an ornamental variety, consider Buddha's hand: It has both a wonderfully rich fragrance and a very unique look. The tiny but flavorful Nagami kumquat or the big and sweet Oro Blanco grapefruit are other choices. For beauty, the deep reddish-orange Minneola tangelo can't be beat. And if you're into Thai cooking, try growing the Kaffir lime: Its edible leaves will impart a delicate and distinctive flavor into your favorite Thai dishes.
Potting your tree
No matter which variety you've chosen, the growing technique is basically the same. If you've purchased a tree through the mail, it will arrive bare-root and need to be planted immediately. Simply fill your pot about half-way to three-quarters full with good potting soil. Then gently spread out the roots of your tree over the soil and gradually add additional soil, keeping the roots just below the soil surface.
Caring for your tree
Once your tree is potted, water it about twice a week--just enough to keep it moist. The amount of water you give it will depend on your soil mix and the temperature inside your house, and it may vary during different times of the year. Fertilize your tree once or twice a month using both a well-balanced, water-soluble fertilizer and a material containing trace elements. Use these products simultaneously so that the plant will be able to use whatever it needs to thrive. Finally, give your tree plenty of light by putting it in a sunny location. But don't put it too close to a window, which can sometimes be too hot.
Pruning
Pruning your dwarf citrus tree is easy. Just look for a knobby joint or a brown ring in the middle of the trunk; this is called the graft union. Anything that grows below that graft union is called a sucker, and should be cut off completely. For the rest of the tree, just go ahead and snip away as you see fit.
And that's all there is to it! If you follow these tips, you can have glorious citrus growing right in your own home.
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