- Dec 11, 2017
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Orange Growing Guide
Soil
Warm, moist soil, well-enriched with organic matter. Oranges grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock may be grown in containers.
Position
A sheltered spot in full sun spring to fall. In winter, plants may be moved into a greenhouse, sunroom, or heated garage.
Frost tolerant
No. Grow at temperatures above 7°C (45°F).
Feeding
In spring and summer, feed with a balanced organic fertilizer. Yellowing leaves indicate a need for more nitrogen.
Companions
Oranges and other citrus are heavy feeders that resent close company, so companion plants have to be planted a little way away.
Spacing
Single Plants: 16' 4" (5.00m) each way (minimum)
Rows: 16' 4" (5.00m) with 16' 4" (5.00m) row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Set out new plants in late winter or early spring. Grow in containers of rich compost to keep plants compact and to make it easy to bring plants indoors for the winter. Good drainage is essential.
Notes
Prune in spring or summer to shape plants, and watch for thorns. Very sweet oranges need a long season of warm weather, but kumquats, calamondin oranges and satsumas fruit well in marginal areas or when grown in containers.
Harvesting
Pick when richly colored and fully ripe. Picking can continue for several weeks as fruits do not ripen all at once.
Troubleshooting
Grow outdoors in the warmer months to expose plants to heat and pollinators. Soft soap sprays can help against scale insects.
Soil
Warm, moist soil, well-enriched with organic matter. Oranges grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock may be grown in containers.
Position
A sheltered spot in full sun spring to fall. In winter, plants may be moved into a greenhouse, sunroom, or heated garage.
Frost tolerant
No. Grow at temperatures above 7°C (45°F).
Feeding
In spring and summer, feed with a balanced organic fertilizer. Yellowing leaves indicate a need for more nitrogen.
Companions
Oranges and other citrus are heavy feeders that resent close company, so companion plants have to be planted a little way away.
Spacing
Single Plants: 16' 4" (5.00m) each way (minimum)
Rows: 16' 4" (5.00m) with 16' 4" (5.00m) row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
Set out new plants in late winter or early spring. Grow in containers of rich compost to keep plants compact and to make it easy to bring plants indoors for the winter. Good drainage is essential.
Notes
Prune in spring or summer to shape plants, and watch for thorns. Very sweet oranges need a long season of warm weather, but kumquats, calamondin oranges and satsumas fruit well in marginal areas or when grown in containers.
Harvesting
Pick when richly colored and fully ripe. Picking can continue for several weeks as fruits do not ripen all at once.
Troubleshooting
Grow outdoors in the warmer months to expose plants to heat and pollinators. Soft soap sprays can help against scale insects.
