I know I
will get questions sent to me why their lemon or grapefruit did not produce any
fruit this year. They will say, “The tree grew great, but it didn’t produce any
fruit!” We had a pretty good freeze in parts of the Valley recently. If your
lemon tree or other citrus had flowers, or very small fruit at that time, then
that’s why.
Freeze Tolerance of Flowers vs Tree
Citrus,
the entire tree itself, is tender to freezing temperatures in the first place.
It’s considered subtropical. The most tolerance to freezing temperatures starts
with kumquat, then Myers lemon, grapefruit, followed by some of the oranges, true
lemons and finally limes. Freezing damage results in temperatures ranging from
about 22° F to 32° F.
the entire tree itself, is tender to freezing temperatures in the first place.
It’s considered subtropical. The most tolerance to freezing temperatures starts
with kumquat, then Myers lemon, grapefruit, followed by some of the oranges, true
lemons and finally limes. Freezing damage results in temperatures ranging from
about 22° F to 32° F.
As soon
as growth begins, tolerance to freezing temperatures decreases in entire trees.
This holds true of all fruit trees. There is no temperature discrimination when
the tree is flowering. All fruit tree flowers and young fruit, whether they are
apple or citrus, will die when it freezes. Freezing occurs at 32° F. No
exception.
as growth begins, tolerance to freezing temperatures decreases in entire trees.
This holds true of all fruit trees. There is no temperature discrimination when
the tree is flowering. All fruit tree flowers and young fruit, whether they are
apple or citrus, will die when it freezes. Freezing occurs at 32° F. No
exception.
All
flowers are tender to freezing temperatures. All fruit trees flowering during
freezing temperatures result in dead flowers and no fruit. The tree survives at
32° F, but the flowers don’t. Young fruit trees are more sensitive to cold
temperatures than older ones.
flowers are tender to freezing temperatures. All fruit trees flowering during
freezing temperatures result in dead flowers and no fruit. The tree survives at
32° F, but the flowers don’t. Young fruit trees are more sensitive to cold
temperatures than older ones.
Wind Makes Freezes Worse
Add a
light wind to this formula, flowers and fruit for that year are history. There
is a debate whether plants succumb to “wind chill” like humans and animals. Let
the debate rage. But I guarantee you, if there is wind associated with any freezing
temperature, there is more damage than if there were no wind at all. Protect food
production areas of the landscape from wind.
light wind to this formula, flowers and fruit for that year are history. There
is a debate whether plants succumb to “wind chill” like humans and animals. Let
the debate rage. But I guarantee you, if there is wind associated with any freezing
temperature, there is more damage than if there were no wind at all. Protect food
production areas of the landscape from wind.
You are
lucky. If you don’t like a cold north wind, you go inside the house and get
warm. Plants can’t. They must “suffer” through it. Therefore, let them occupy
protected spaces in the landscape and they will be more productive and produce
better quality food.
lucky. If you don’t like a cold north wind, you go inside the house and get
warm. Plants can’t. They must “suffer” through it. Therefore, let them occupy
protected spaces in the landscape and they will be more productive and produce
better quality food.
Arizona State University’s citrus variety descriptions and harvest times.
Remember,
there are microclimates in a landscape. South and west sides are warmer locations
than north and east sides of the home. Protect the tree from wind and you have
a nice small, warm microclimate that produces better food.
there are microclimates in a landscape. South and west sides are warmer locations
than north and east sides of the home. Protect the tree from wind and you have
a nice small, warm microclimate that produces better food.