The secret of summer: a bountiful harvest of citrus from your own garden

A summer mystery unfolds in the home garden with the flourishing of rich citrus fruits. The vibrant leaves, fragrant blossoms, and unique fruits of citrus plants require a slightly different care than most other houseplants. Since they are moved indoors during winter, except in the warmest parts of the coastal region, the summer months are crucial for these plants to gain enough strength for a bountiful harvest and safe overwintering. Strong root systems are essential for healthy growth. In nature, citrus trees can grow into large trees, but when grown in pots, they are cultivated more compactly. Therefore, choosing a high-quality substrate is one of the most important decisions. Young plants are usually repotted every two years, while older ones every three to four years, or when we notice that their roots have completely filled the pot or the plant is growing noticeably slower. When repotting, a quality, well-draining substrate is recommended. COMPO SANA Earth for citrus combines peat, compost, crushed limestone, and initial nutrients that ensure good air circulation around the roots and prevent waterlogging, one of the most common problems when growing citrus in containers. Selecting the right pot is equally important. Lighter plastic pots heat less under direct sunlight compared to darker ones, keeping the roots in more favorable conditions. Given that mature citrus plants can be quite heavy, a practical solution is also using a wheeled stand, which greatly simplifies moving the plants in autumn and spring. Regular feeding is necessary for producing high-quality fruit. Citrus plants have large nutritional requirements. With limited soil available in pots, nutrients quickly deplete. From early spring until late autumn, regular feeding is advised. Especially during blooming and fruit development, they need a lot of nutrients, making weekly feeding with COMPO BIO liquid fertilizer for citrus highly recommended. During the winter dormancy period, feeding once every three weeks suffices. Consistent feeding means not just more fruit, but also dark green leaves, stronger shoots, and greater resistance to stress. Yellowing leaves are often mistakenly attributed to iron deficiency. However, in citrus plants, magnesium deficiency is far more common. A characteristic sign is that the leaf surface between the veins turns yellow, while the veins remain green. If this issue isn’t addressed promptly, the leaves gradually begin to wilt and fall off. Such issues can be quickly resolved by using a water-soluble fertilizer Rasti FetriComb, which contains magnesium, sulfur, and essential micronutrients such as iron, manganese, and zinc. By spraying the plant, the nutrients are directly absorbed through the leaves, resulting in noticeable improvements within a short time. In autumn, citrus plants face the biggest change of the year. They are moved from sunny terraces or gardens to indoor spaces, where there is less light and the air is often drier. This transition can cause leaf, flower, or even young fruit drop. Stress can be mitigated by using the bio-stimulator Rasti Algovital Plus, which includes extracts of marine algae, amino acids, and micronutrients. It is advisable to water or spray the plants with this product a few days before and after relocation, helping them adapt more easily to the new conditions. During winter, many citrus plants bloom, providing a pleasant fragrance indoors. However, without bees or other pollinators, the flowers will not develop into fruit. To encourage fruit formation, manual pollination is an option. Using a soft brush or cotton swab, gently transfer pollen from one flower to another. This simple process can significantly influence the number of fruits that will ripen in the following months.