Fructification
The trees proposed on this site were selected for the quality of their fruits, all consumable and tasty fresh (except the Yuzu, to be cooked).
Grafting on vigorous varieties allows harvesting from 2 to 3 years after planting
Citrus trees are covered with an abundance of flowers, often very fragrant.
Not every flower will bear fruit, as this would exhaust the tree. Only a portion will develop, usually no more than 5 to 10%. As with all fruit trees, late frosts can damage the bloom and reduce the harvest.
At the end of the flowering, it is the initial phase where the small green fruits are formed.
The tree must be properly watered and fed during this period.
Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K) but also complementary minerals such as Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mg) are necessary. Manure, manure pellets, ashes or coffee grounds all contain these elements (see Fertilization)
Some citrus species initially cover themselves with many small fruits, but then purge themselves of the excess. Don't worry if you find immature fruit falling to the ground, this is normal behavior.
Citrus fruits ripen during the fall and winter. They take their yellow or orange color because of the cold.
For many varieties the fruits can remain on the branch for a long time. They are already ripe early in the season but will continue to evolve. In general, citrus fruits lose acidity and gain sugar the longer they remain on the tree.
Particularly aromatic fruits, such as Yuzu and Sudachi, are appreciated by cooks while still green, mainly for their spicy zest.
Fruiting characteristics of citrus varieties
The fruits have less cold resistance than the tree itself même, in case of intense frost (below -5 degrees C) they will be vulnerable.
However for many varieties the harvest is before the first frosts, such as Satsuma mandarins and Navelina oranges.
Choose early‑ripening citrus if frost is frequent in your area early in winter.
Fruits with a thick albedo (the white part under the zest) and larger, like grapefruits, will have better resistance than small fruits with thin skin, like kumquats.
Some fruits, such as yuzu, sudachi or ichang lemon, are preferably harvested green when they concentrate more aroma (before the harvest period indicated in the table below).
During the harvest period, monitor the weather forecasts and if an intense cold spell is announced (below -5 degrees C), pick most of the fruits before they suffer. We advise you always leave a few on the tree to check their resistance.
Refer to the table below to choose a tree that matches your local conditions, also regarding fruit harvest.
The first years of fruiting
If your tree produces a lot of fruit in the first year after it is planted in the ground, it may become exhausted. In this case it is better to drop the fruits before they grow. The tree will direct its energy towards growth.
It takes three years for the tree to build up a complete root system. The fruits of an immature tree have not yet acquired their authentic flavor. Give it time to settle in and express its full potential.
