Thinning citrus

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joandud White Lake, MI Nov 05, 2014

I have never had citrus trees until buying a house in Tucson, AZ. The orange and grapefriut trees are loaded with fruit that hasn't ripened. I don't know if the fruit should be thinned on these trees as one would do with peach and apple trees. Help, please.

Post #9970111
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Nov 05, 2014

It does take 8 or 9 months for citrus to ripen. I think FIL's tree is Tucson was yielding ripe fruit in January. Also check with some local gardeners about keeping your citrus trees warm at night in the event of a cold snap. FIL used to drape a cloth or plastic over the tree and used a regular light bulb underneath for a small amount of warmth.

Post #9970116
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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Nov 05, 2014

I do not think Citrus need anywhere near as much thinning as some varieties of the rose family of fruits (apple, apricot, peach, pear, nectarine, Asian pear, plum...)
I have Navel and Valencia oranges, 2 kinds of lemon, grapefruit, tangerine and kumquat. I do not thin any of these. I have all the rose family of fruits I list, and ought to spend more time thinning them. Fruits are small on these unless I thin them.

Post #9970209
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joandud White Lake, MI Nov 25, 2014

Thanks for the info. Now I will try to add some pictures of something that looks like it's attacking the grapefruit tree.

Thumbnail by joandud Thumbnail by joandud
Post #9980420
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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Nov 26, 2014

There are several pests that attack citrus.
I cannot tell much from your pictures.
Here is a link to some Citrus problems. Note it is not from your area, so the pests and diseases might not all be the same.

http://ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FRUIT/citrus.html

Post #9980613
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Nov 26, 2014

I did end up thinning fruit my young Meyer lemon tree and still had to prop up a branch due to the weight of the fruit. Gave it it's winter dose of fertilizer and now it's blooming again although I don't think I'll purposely pollinate them. I use Azamax on pest problems.

Post #9980680
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