Q. What are the best practices to use if I decide to
leave calamondin fruits on the ground under the tree
to decompose. Or is it better to put the fallen fruit in the trash from the git-go?
leave calamondin fruits on the ground under the tree
to decompose. Or is it better to put the fallen fruit in the trash from the git-go?
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| Immature calamondin (calamansi) fruit from the tree in the Philippines at MoCa Family Farm |
A. Calamondin, called calamansi in the Filipino
community, is a small citrus resembling a lime but is golden yellow inside. This
citrus is native to the Philippines.
Fruit can
turn orange in color but is frequently harvested when green but the interior
flesh is a golden yellow. We have about 8 calamondin on our farm in the
Philippines where we have a tropical climate and they do very well there.
turn orange in color but is frequently harvested when green but the interior
flesh is a golden yellow. We have about 8 calamondin on our farm in the
Philippines where we have a tropical climate and they do very well there.
Let’s be
clear about growing citrus in the Las Vegas Valley. Many citrus, since they are
semi tropical, share a risk of losing the fruit, or possibly the tree, during
some cold winters and early spring freezing temperatures. There are parts of
the Valley too cold most years for even the hardiest of citrus. Other areas
with warmer winter microclimates can grow them. As long as you are comfortable
with that possibility, have fun and grow them!
clear about growing citrus in the Las Vegas Valley. Many citrus, since they are
semi tropical, share a risk of losing the fruit, or possibly the tree, during
some cold winters and early spring freezing temperatures. There are parts of
the Valley too cold most years for even the hardiest of citrus. Other areas
with warmer winter microclimates can grow them. As long as you are comfortable
with that possibility, have fun and grow them!
In my
opinion, all fruit trees should have the area under them free from rotting,
mature fruit. Very young fruit is usually not a problem if it falls on the
ground and decomposes. Immature fruit thinned from the trees can be dropped on
the ground to decompose with no problems. Mature fruit dropped on the ground
may present a different issue.
opinion, all fruit trees should have the area under them free from rotting,
mature fruit. Very young fruit is usually not a problem if it falls on the
ground and decomposes. Immature fruit thinned from the trees can be dropped on
the ground to decompose with no problems. Mature fruit dropped on the ground
may present a different issue.
If this
were a peach, fig, apricot or plum tree we would most certainly cleanup the
fallen mature fruit that dropped on the ground. There is a pest called the
dried fruit beetle that becomes a problem infesting soft, mature fruit growing
on the tree if fallen fruit is not picked up from the ground. With citrus, the
only pests to worry about are rats and mice. To be on the safe side, I would
pick up fallen fruit and dispose of them rather than leave them on the ground
to rot and attract varmints.
were a peach, fig, apricot or plum tree we would most certainly cleanup the
fallen mature fruit that dropped on the ground. There is a pest called the
dried fruit beetle that becomes a problem infesting soft, mature fruit growing
on the tree if fallen fruit is not picked up from the ground. With citrus, the
only pests to worry about are rats and mice. To be on the safe side, I would
pick up fallen fruit and dispose of them rather than leave them on the ground
to rot and attract varmints.
By the
way, calamondin is easily grown from seed and does well on its own roots rather
than purchasing it grafted like most commercial citrus trees.
way, calamondin is easily grown from seed and does well on its own roots rather
than purchasing it grafted like most commercial citrus trees.