Citrus plants require extra care in Pa.
Growing citrus fruits in Western Pennsylvania may not be easy, but it is possible. Not all citrus varieties will thrive this far north, but with proper care, you can grow and harvest the fruits of Meyer lemons, Calamondin oranges and Persian (or Bearss) limes.
The three citrus types I mention above are particularly suited to northern regions because they do quite well in containers and don't grow as large as some other varieties. You can purchase mature or semi-mature plants from specialty online greenhouses that carefully package and ship the plants directly to your door. Stark Brothers Nursery (starkbros.com) and Nature Hills Nursery (naturehills.com) are good places to start.
Some local nurseries may sell them as well. Avoid purchasing plants that are already in flower or fruit, as the plant probably will drop the blossoms and immature fruits as it acclimates to the growing conditions of your home.
After your citrus plant arrives, pay careful attention to its care. Potted citrus needs to be in a room with very high light conditions. The reason most indoor citrus fails is because it isn't given enough light during winter months. If you don't have a bright room, use a grow light to supplement natural light levels.
Citrus likes consistent moisture. If the plant is subjected to a period of prolonged dryness, the buds, flowers and fruits will drop. On the other hand, don't overwater the plant either. Too much water will cause the leaves to wilt and yellow. When watering citrus, and other houseplants, put the pot in the sink or tub and flush water through the pot, allowing it to fully drain before moving. Be sure the base of the pot is never sitting in water.
Because citrus tends to bloom in the winter, you'll have to play pollinator to get fruit. If your plant comes into flower while indoors, use an electric toothbrush to move the pollen from flower to flower.
Even if you never manage to harvest a single fruit, the blooms alone are worthwhile. Their fragrance is incredible.
Once warm temperatures arrive and the danger of frost has passed, move your citrus plant outdoors. Select a location with morning sun and afternoon shade. Bright sun in the afternoon can lead to leaf scald and heat stress. Keep the container well watered throughout the summer months, and fertilize every two to three weeks with a liquid, organic fertilizer, such as liquid kelp or fish emulsion. Do not fertilize in the winter, when new growth should not be encouraged.
At summer's end, when nighttime temperatures drop into the 50s, move the plant back indoors. Don't panic if all the leaves drop off — this is a typical response when tropical plants are moved indoors at the end of the season. New leaves will soon develop, and they'll be better suited to indoor light conditions.
Horticulturist and author Jessica Walliser co-hosts “The Organic Gardeners” at 7 a.m. Sundays on KDKA Radio with Doug Oster. Her website is jessicawalliser.com.
Send your gardening or landscaping questions to tribliving@tribweb.com or The Good Earth, 503 Martindale St., 3rd Floor, D.L. Clark Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
