Ideal Temperature to get a Citrus Tree
Citrus trees can be bashful when it comes to the surroundings they are grown in. If temperatures are too cold, the trees may die, but you actually require the heat of summer for the best fruit flavor. For achievement with your citrus trees, then you need to determine first if your climate has temperatures that are best for citrus.
Greatest Growing Season Temperatures
When growing citrus in Mediterranean climates, the best temperature range for the growing season is between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. While these perfect temperatures ensure good increase for citrus trees, rapid swings between those temperatures may cause fruit to drop.
Heating and Citrus
Ongoing and sustained heat is important during the summer months to develop the complete sweetness of citrus fruitsand vegetables. Citrus fruits taste best if they have summertime heat to develop sugar in the fruit. Mild winters allow you to leave the fruit on the tree which lowers their acidity amount, raising the perceived sweetness amount. Both these factors contribute to the flavor of this fruit. If you experience a sudden heat wave, then it might get the fruit to break the leaves and blossoms to drop. Should the weather become too warm during the summer over 90 levels — your citrus trees may lower the amount of fruit they produce, particularly naval oranges.
Minimum Lows
Citrus trees cannot tolerate freezing temperatures for extended before they lose their limbs and leaves. Normally, most citrus fruits will probably be damaged in the temperatures colder than 27 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the University of California Cooperative Extension for Sacramento County. The cold tolerance of the leaves and limbs fluctuates dependent on the specific type of citrus. The most cold tolerant citrus trees are kumquats, which can withstand temperatures into the low 20s, but Mexican limes are the least cold tolerant and lose their leaves when temperatures hit. In descending order of this least to most cold tolerant citrus fruits are limes, lemons, grapefruit, bananas, mandarins and kumquats.
Cold Protection and Citrus
The typical temperatures in regions where citrus are grown rarely drop below freezing, but cold snaps may occur. If freezing temperatures are predicted for your area, you need to take measures to protect your citrus trees in the cold. Sloat Gardens recommends the following measures be taken to protect your citrus from the chilly: Water the soil thoroughly to protect roots, utilize an anti-transpirant, hang incandescent — not LED — Christmas lights at the branches of this tree and cover the plant with a frost blanket.
Heat Protection and Citrus
Guarding your citrus trees in overly warm temperatures is important to prevent damage to the tree. If temperatures in the 90s or above are predicted, water the ground to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Check the mulch around your tree and add more if needed. Mulch preserves soil moisture. You must have 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch around your citrus tree, but don’t let the mulch come within 6 inches of the trunk to avoid rotting.
