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Orange Tree
Citrus × sinensis
Glossy leaves, snow-white blossom, jewel-bright fruit.
Sun
Full sun
Water
Regular, never soggy
Soil
Free-draining citrus mix, pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing
In a 40+ cm pot or 3 m in ground
Days to harvest
1st fruit year 3–4
Hardiness
Zones 9–11
Seasonal Calendar
H
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Sow Harvest
The method
- 1
Use citrus compost
Sharp drainage matters more than richness. Add grit if in doubt.
- 2
Feed & water evenly
Steady water and monthly citrus feed give the best crops.
- 3
Prune lightly
Just shape and remove crossing branches after fruiting.
- 4
Ripen on the tree
Oranges do not ripen off the tree — leave them until fully colored and sweet.
Common problems
Yellow leaves
Usually magnesium or iron deficiency. Use a proper citrus feed.
Fruit drop
Small drop after flowering is normal — the tree keeps what it can support.
Good neighbors
BasilComfreyNasturtium
Field tips
- “Fruit can hang on the tree for months — pick as needed.”
- “Zest first, then juice — you can't zest a squeezed orange.”