Hi everyone, hope your all safe and warm after our bad weather.
I've just planted an orange tree and wonder'd if it's possible to keep the hight low so I can reach the fruit without taking climbing lessons. I don't mind the width. I've read about espalier but don't have the strength to dig post holes. It's not against fence I can use.

Hi Mudda-I actually wrote a reply to your query on Monday,but it disappeared (it wasn't rude either!)
I have citrus trees nearly 30 years old and they are not a problem,as they have not grown particularly tall.Keep the centre of the bush clear of little branches growing inwards,and to reach the fruit simply go into the 'inside' of the tree.Any high ones I reach with a rake-just put the rake around the stem above the fruit and give a tug.

Hi Emelle, thanks for your reply, my family tells me that not everything that go's a stray on my computer is my fault, so I believe you on both accounts LOL. I'll follow your advice with my orange tree. Is there a good size to let it grow to before I prune it. I was told not to leave the first years fruit on it, when ever that may be, do you know if this is right. Cheers mudda

I only give the trees a 'tidy up' and cut off any suckers from the root stock-(they havethorny bits on them apparently caused by being bumped by lawnmower or similar) ...the trees generally look after themselves I think,but do need feeding. I am not sure about the first years fruit-an expert would need to advise.Best wishes.

Gidday

It is a good idea to thin the inside branches a bit but generally if when you pick the fruit you cut back a couple of leaves and that is all that is needed.

As for height, there is no reason why you caint keep it down but remember when you do cut it back a bit it will try to over compensate by growing extra from the cut.

It's a good idea to remove or severely thin fruit on all young, newly planted citrus, Mudda, as it helps the young tree establish itself without expending all that energy on fruit production. Water well (not a problem at the moment!) and feed.

Thanks to all for the helpful information. I'll clean and sharpen my secateurs and hope it stops raining long enough for me to get out in the garden some time soon.

Hi all, just a quick post to let you know that my orange tree is doing well and more than twice the hight, just have to keep the white fly off it now.
Thanks again for all the great advice
Cheers mudda

I have oranges, how do I tell when they're ripe enough to be picked, is it by colour or at a certain time of the year.
Or just trial and error by taste.

I remember an old citrus grower in Tauranga telling me "never pick your citrus fruit till after Labour weekend as before that the sugar content is too low"

My mandarin and lemon trees have like a black "sooty" mould on the leaves, any suggestions on how to get rid of this please , Both bearing fruit , but the quality, not A1, Thanks