Learn to grow citrus trees like a pro
Citrus greening may sound like a good thing, but it’s one of the worst things that can happen to any citrus plant.
The Edible Gardening Exchange’s May speaker will be Dr. Mongi Zekri, southwest Florida Multi-County citrus agent, who will explain basic homeowner citrus care including citrus greening during the group’s meeting on Thursday, May 19.
According to the UF/IFAS Website, greening is a disease of caused by a bacteria found in an insect. Common symptoms include yellowing of the veins and tissues, followed by splotchy mottling of the entire leaf, premature defoliation, dieback of twigs, decay of feeder rootlets and lateral roots and decline in vigor.
It is ultimately fatal.
Affected trees have stunted growth, bear multiple off-season flowers (most of which fall off), and produce small, irregularly-shaped fruit with a thick, pale peel that remains green at the bottom and tastes very bitter.
The disease can be transmitted from plant to plant.
“Much of the fruit will drop to the ground, and what little you have left, the quality will be affected,” Zekri said. “The juice content and sugar will be low, small inside, and will usually stay green, thus the name.”
As far as basic maintenance, Zekri said you should water your young plant two or three times a week if there isn’t significant rain, and fertilizer every two months.
There should be little or no grass competing with the tree for rain, sunlight and nutrients. They should also be sprayed for greening monthly.
Karen Harty who heads the Edible Gardening Exchange, said although she took additional training in citrus, she wanted to give something of a Citrus 101 to homeowners.
“This isn’t meant for someone with a grove, but if you have a tree that isn’t looking great, you have options to care for your tree,” Harty said. “Greening is inevitable, but there are options like spraying it.”
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the North Fort Myers Rec Center Arrive at 5:30 p.m. for an open and informal chat on edible topics. Consider bringing something to share with other gardeners (seeds, plants, a snack). Bring your own cup for free coffee and tea.
The fee for the monthly summer classes from April to September is $10. A Lee Parks and Rec lifetime membership card is also required, which is a one-time fee of $10 per person.
For more information, call or text Karen Harty at (610) 530-8883 or email GrowAGardener@gmail.com.
The North Fort Myers Rec Center is at 2000 N Recreation Park Way.