Tending Your Garden: Keep citrus growing in containers

By Guest Columnist Eddie Smith           

Photo credit:  Special to Wesson News

Growing citrus in containers has been a rewarding experience for me and some of my friends, and it might be something you should consider for your own landscape.   

The long growing season and mild winters in South Mississippi and along the Gulf Coast make it possible to grow a variety of citrus trees.  Cold-hardy options like satsumas and kumquats thrive in the ground, but others require protection.           

For those of us who live north of the Coast and experience occasional freezes, growing citrus in containers has been an excellent solution. This allows us to move trees to a protected space when needed.           

Selecting the right citrus variety has been key to my success.  I’ve found that dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties work best in containers because they stay manageable while still producing full-sized fruit.           

One of my favorite varieties is the Improved Meyer Lemon, a cross between a lemon and a sweet orange.  It has a wonderfully mild, slightly sweet flavor and is incredibly productive, often flowering and fruiting multiple times throughout the year.           

To keep my citrus trees healthy and thriving, I make sure they receive plenty of sunlight, which means at least 6-8 hours of direct sun daily. When growing them in containers, I place the trees in the sunniest spot I can find, usually a south-facing patio or deck.           

I also use a well-draining citrus potting mix to prevent root rot and ensure the trees have the right nutrients.  

Watering is another important factor. I keep the soil for my citrus consistently moist but not soggy, watering deeply when the top inch feels dry. During the summer, my container-grown trees need more frequent watering to prevent them from drying out.           

Fertilization plays a big role in keeping my citrus trees strong and productive. I use a balanced, slow-release citrus fertilizer that includes important micronutrients like iron, magnesium and zinc. Apply fertilizer regularly throughout the growing season from spring to early fall.           

I keep pruning to a minimum. Only remove dead or crossing branches and any suckers that grow below the graft union, which is where the citrus variety is connected to the rootstock. One of my favorite things about growing citrus is their fragrant white blossoms that appear throughout the year. Their sweet scent attracts pollinators, and since citrus trees are self-pollinating, I don’t have to worry about planting multiple trees for fruit production.           

Seeing flowers and fruit at different stages of development on the same tree is one of the joys of growing citrus.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Eddie Smith is a gardening specialist and Pearl River County coordinator with the Mississippi State University Extension Service.  He is also host of the popular Southern Gardening television program.  Locate Southern Gardening products online at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/southern-gardening.