Fruit trees are like energetic teenagers, they burn through energy, produce copious amounts of love and but if they're tired, they'll definitely show it!
Citrus trees are evergreen, which means that they keep their leaves all throughout the year. Citrus Fruit Salad Trees have different fruit grafted onto the same rootstock, meaning that you can grow different fruit on the same tree, with less wastage and more variety, at different times throughout the year.
The rootstock that we use for our Citrus trees is Trifoliata; it has a deciduous growth cycle, which means that in Winter, the roots will reduce the amount of nutrition it provides. This can leave the evergreen part of the tree hungry for food. Leaves with a yellow border or mottled yellow indicate a nutrient deficiency. Just like a hungry teenager, give them food and they'll perk up!
If the leaves are a yellow tone during winter, wait until Spring to give your citrus tree a good feed with fertiliser to encourage new growth. This is because the deciduous rootstocks won't take up a lot of food during the winter months. Fertilising citrus in the cooler months can be tricky, as it is best to avoid encouraging a flush of tender new growth that could easily get frosted or cold damaged. A great way to improve the nutritional elements in your soil in winter is to feed your tree with a mix of dolomite, lime and gypsum, which will increase nutrition and improve leaf appearance without stimulating a flush.
If it is nutritional deficiency, complete a pH test on your soil and respond based on the result.
It is worthwhile noting the type of yellowing of your citrus leaves:
Remember with younger trees to thin the first fruit that will appear. Dane shows how to prune and balance your young tree here.
You may like to train your grafts to grow in a certain fashion. Read more about training your tree with stakes here.
Did you know that you can also espalier any Fruit Salad Tree? Espalier your fruit tree by attaching the branches to wires or along a lattice framework, creating a fan shape which results in faster growth. Read more about espaliering your Fruit Salad Tree here.
We love seeing your Fruit Salad Tree grow. Feel free to share your growing pics with us by using #myfruitsaladtree on facebook on instagram if you have a public profile. Otherwise direct message us your photos. You can also ask us more detailed questions and our nursery staff can give you advice. Follow us on facebook and instagram today for more tips, tricks and specials.
Our fast fruiting trees can be grown in the ground, or in pots on your balcony. For more information on growing your tree in a pot, read our detailed guide here. For information on planting your Fruit Salad Tree read our step by step guide here, and for planting your tree in clay soil, watch Sue's informative video in our article on planting in clay soil here.
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There are a few things you can do each season in your garden to prevent pests and diseases causing grief to your Fruit Salad Tree.
We've broken this down into the 3 varieties so you can find the information specific to your tree/s.
