Citrus is easily one of the most popular fruits grown in most parts of the world; they are versatile trees that can grow in pots or the soil indoors or outdoors. The beauty of this fruit is that it has a lot of varieties which is one of the reasons it is popular worldwide.
Citrus trees are like most trees that require a lot of nutrients to continue producing their nutritious fruits, so they need a lot of fertilizers to thrive. There are different types and forms of fertilizers that you can apply to your citrus trees, be it in liquid or granules.
The best citrus tree fertilizers contain high-quality ingredients and can supply the nutrients deficient in the soil, and provide the best environment for these trees. There are a number of these fertilizers that it is almost impossible to pick one out of them.
A list Of Citrus Fruit
There are over 33 different types of fruits that are considered citrus, some of them are common in only some regions of the world, but there are a few of them that are very popular, including:
1. Sweet Orange (Citrus × Sinensis)
Sweet orange is popular worldwide because it is sweet and used mostly in making orange juice. Sweet orange varieties include Valencia, navel oranges, Hamlin, and caracara.
2. Bitter oranges (Citrus × Aurantium)
These are citrus fruits that are so sour and sharp-tasting that many cannot eat them raw; they can be used for making other foods and juices.
3. Lemons (Citrus limon)
This is another popular citrus fruit used for cooking and baking, and some of these varieties include Meyer, Brae, Eureka, and primofiori.
4. Limes
These are green citrus fruits that are sour that they are not eaten raw but used in cooking and for other purposes. Lime varieties that are common include key limes (Citrus × aurantiifolia), Bearss, Tahiti lime, and Persian limes (Citrus × latifolia).
5. Grapefruits
These are also bitter citrus fruits but not as bitter as lime. Some grapefruit varieties include Star Ruby, Iro Blanco, Ruby Red, and Thompson. Other citrus varieties include yuzu, pomelo, Citron, and others.
Buying Guide For Citrus Tree Fertilizers
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Citrus Fertilizer
The fertilizer that you apply to your citrus tree should be the one that addresses the specific need of the trees or the soil. You should also consider the age of a tree and when it was planted. Here are some of the things to keep in mind as you shop for fertilizer for citrus trees:
1. The Chemical Content of the Fertilizers
most of the nutrients trees get from the soil, and nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus are the elements that citrus trees need the most, and it is designated as NPK ( Nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus) in commercial fertilizers bags.
Different Fertilizers have different percentage compositions of these three elements, and for you to determine the best formula for your soil depends on which is deficient in your soil, and a simple soil test will reveal which eleme t is deficient and hence needs to be supplied by the fertilizer.
2. The Type of Fertilizers, be it Organic or Inorganic:
organic fertilizers are those fertilizers sourced from simple organic materials around us, like compost, poultry manure, and farmyard manure. These fertilizers do not have any chemicals that are harmful to the environment.
Organic fertilizers are made from synthetic ingredients like potassium, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, etc. It is the most common type of fertilizer probably because it is cheaper and readily available
3. The Fertilizer Form
There are three main forms that fertilizers come in: granular, liquid, and spike; each has its strengths and drawbacks. Liquid fertilizers are ready-to-use, even though you will have to dilute them to the right concentration, and then you can then spray them on the soil.
Granular fertilizers come as pellets placed on the soul near the citrus trees, and afterward, a shovel or rake is used to work the fertilizers into the soil.
All you need to do for spikes is to drive them into the soil around the citrus tree, and it will gradually release fertilizer for months.
4. The Stage of Growth of the Tree:
The amount of fertilizer a tree needs varies with the tree’s age. Newly planted trees less than two years old do not need fertilizer, just watering them regularly is all you need at that stage, but as they age, they will need more fertilizer.
5. The Effect You Want on Your Tree:
If you are looking for a citrus tree that uses root development, ample blossoms, and healthy foliage, you will need a phosphorus-rich fertilizer. Testing the soul is the best bet in determining which soil nutrient is deficient and needs supplementing.
What Is The Best Citrus Tree Fertilizer?
For citrus to thrive, they require the right growth environment; for instance, they need a slightly acidic soil with a pH value of 5.5 to 6.5, the right kind of soil, and an optimum supply of fertilizer, especially from the time they begin to bloom.
The best citrus tree fertilizers have an NPK ratio of around 13-7-13; that is to say, 13% of each of the fertilizers is made of nitrogen and phosphorus, while the potassium content is 7%.
Phosphorus and nitrogen in the fertilizer are important for developing flowers and fruit in citrus, while potassium supports chlorophyll formation and function.
Below are some of the best citrus tree fertilizers there are:
The Overall Best Citrus Tree Fertilizer
1. Citrus-tone by Espoma
Even though there are lots of great fertilizers for citrus in the market, we boldly state that Citrus-tone by Espoma caught our attention because it guarantees abundant fruits and growth for your citrus tree, is because it is an organic fertilizer that contains soul microbes that treat the soul and brings about its improvement.
The Biotone microbes maintain a steady supply of nutrients and improve the absorption of these plant nutrients. This fertilizer is created using humic acids and feather meal, and the good news is that you will never have to deal with fertilizer burn if you apply it appropriately.
It has an NPK ratio of just 5-2-6, which is okay for organic fertilizer. You have to apply the fertilizer more frequently than usual, at least once every three months.
Pros
1. It is a 100% natural fertilizer made from simple materials; this makes it very environmentally friendly.
2. A perfect fertilizer for fruit trees like citrus is organic which means you can never go wrong with it as you always have with inorganic fertilizers.
3. It is very efficient, and you will readily begin to see changes to your citrus trees upon days of application.
Cons
1. It has a scent that many people find offensive.
2. Mites and molds can easily infest it.
3. You have to apply the fertilizers more frequently than usual.
2. The Best Granular Citrus Fertilizer by Miracle-Gro
This is a must-have fertilizer for most gardeners because it provides an ample supply of macro-nutrients that citrus plants need, including magnesium and iron, which are good for citrus trees; the effect is that you get rewarded at harvest time.
This organic fertilizer meets all the nutrient needs of citrus trees, and it rarely causes fertilizer burns because it is a slow-release fertilizer.
You apply this fertilizer by mixing it in the topsoil or mulch, and then the area is watered properly to ensure that the fertilizer gets activated.
The NPK fertilizer analysis for this Citrus plant food is 6-4-6, which is relatively high, and you can notice an improvement in your citrus in as little as three days after applying this fertilizer. Because this great product comes in 1, 4.5, and 8 pounds packaging, you can buy the size that suits you.
Pros
1. You can apply it to both young and mature Citrus trees.
2. You can apply them to wilting or dying citrus trees, and they will revive.
3. It also contains a lot of micro-nutrients that citrus trees nerd like sulfur, magnesium, and iron.
4. It is very simple to use and comes with clear directions about applying it.
Cons
1. You must use this fertilizer with care on young citrus trees.
2. Complaints about the fertilizer growing molds abound
3. Some of the fertilizers come with broken seals.
3. Best Water-soluble Citrus Tree Fertilizer – Citrus FeED by JR Peters
This fertilizer supplies the right amount of nutrients your citrus tree requires because its NPK percentage is 20-10-20.
It also contains many micro-nutrients necessary for optimum growth and development of citrus tree-like boron, copper, manganese, and iron. Hence the soul that gets applied to this fertilizer produces lush green leaves, strong branches, and abundant, delicious fruits.
This water-soluble fertilizer should be diluted in water before applying at least once in 2 weeks when the citrus tree is still tender. Since it’s a water-soluble fertilizer, you can apply it easily after diluting it in water.
But make sure you reapply every one or two weeks in the growing months of the Citrus tree. This inorganic fertilizer provides instant nutrients to the trees, making it very efficient.
Pros
1. Can be used on all kinds of citrus plants, be they old, young, or wilting.
2. It also supplies a lot of micro-nutrients that citrus plants need.
3. This Fertilizer helps the tree. produce more blooms and fruits
4. It is very effective, and results are evident in just a question of days.
Cons
1. It is a little expensive.
2. Sometimes, the granules do not dissolve in water.
Cannot feed hydroponically growing Citrus trees
3. Because it is water-soluble, it can be washed away by rain or during watering.
4. Best Potted Citrus Tree Fertilizer – Fruit Tree Fertilizer Spikes by Jobe’s Organics
This is a Fertilizer spike that will change the way your citrus looks and tastes because the spike efficiently provides nutrients to the soil, especially if your tree is potted.
These spikes are designed to release the right amount of nutrients that plants need, making them the easiest and fastest means of fertilizing houseplants or trees.
Each pack comes with six pre-measured packs to release the right amount of nutrients. These spikes contain rich nutrients, and organics have an NPK percentage of 3-5-3.
The fertilizer spikes are placed at the edge of the pot and pushed a few inches into the soil to supply the nutrients.
Pros
1. You don’t have the problem of fertilizer runoff.
2. Your spikes are kept fresh by a resealable bag.
3. It is easy and non-messy to apply
4. It causes the fruit and leaves of potted plants to flourish.
With continuous use,
5. It helps improve the soil and does not contain any hazardous chemicals in our environment.
Cons
1. Mold and fungus can grow on them.
2. It is harmful if pets consume them.
5. Best Liquid Citrus Fertilizer – Citrus Fertilizer by EZ-Gro
This specially formulated liquid that supplies all the nutrients your citrus tree needs comes in a concentrated form and must be diluted before application to the soil.
It is applied once every two weeks only for outdoor citrus leaves because of its high NPK percentage, which is 20-3-19. It also contains other nutrients like water-soluble magnesium, chelated zinc, and chelated and chelated manganese, which helps citrus plants to grow optimally.
Pros
1. It can be used for potted or in-ground orange, lime, and other citrus plants.
2. It contains a lot of micro-nutrients.
3. It is a well-balanced concentrated liquid mixture that is very effective.
Cons
1. You cant use it in large areas because it is too expensive.
Conclusion
Citrus is a very common family of fruits with lots of varieties grown in almost all parts of the globe, from the sweet orange to lime, lemon, tangerines, and the likes; they are part of our meals daily.
Growing delicious citrus is easy once you get the right fertilizers for them, which will ensure you have more fruits every harvest and that you get quality, delicious fruits that no one can resist.
Helpful Links:
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- How to Grow Yellow Daisies in Your Garden
- How To Stop Deer From Eating Hydrangeas
We trust this article helped you learn about the Best Citrus Tree Fertilizer. You may also want to check out How to Grow Yellow Daisies in Your Garden.
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