I receive quite a few questions regarding growing citrus
in the Las Vegas Valley. Some people even accuse me of not telling people to
plant citrus here. That’s far from the truth. But you should be aware that
there are two strikes against citrus growing well here. It’s your job, after
you are aware of that, to make the right decisions and care needed by them.
in the Las Vegas Valley. Some people even accuse me of not telling people to
plant citrus here. That’s far from the truth. But you should be aware that
there are two strikes against citrus growing well here. It’s your job, after
you are aware of that, to make the right decisions and care needed by them.
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| Calamansi fruit in Batangas, Philippines |
First of
all, as I tell a number of my students, when we choose plants that are not 100%
compatible with our desert climate then it will “cost” you in personal time, energy and money to grow them here. That isn’t
the same as telling people not to plant them.
all, as I tell a number of my students, when we choose plants that are not 100%
compatible with our desert climate then it will “cost” you in personal time, energy and money to grow them here. That isn’t
the same as telling people not to plant them.
The
first strike against them is their port to variable tolerance to freezing
temperatures during the winter. Plant them in the warmest part of your landscape
and keep them out of the way of cold winter winds. This may require
establishing a man-made windbreak on your property to prevent these wins from
causing damage.
first strike against them is their port to variable tolerance to freezing
temperatures during the winter. Plant them in the warmest part of your landscape
and keep them out of the way of cold winter winds. This may require
establishing a man-made windbreak on your property to prevent these wins from
causing damage.
The
second strike is when they flower. Oftentimes they flower in early spring when very
light freezing temperatures are possible. If freezing temperatures occur when
they are producing flower buds or small fruit flower and small fruit tolerance
to these freezing temperatures are practically nil. This is the primary reason
for erratic production of a fruit crop by one of our most popular “lemons”, Meyers,
even though it’s one of the most freeze tolerant of the citrus.
second strike is when they flower. Oftentimes they flower in early spring when very
light freezing temperatures are possible. If freezing temperatures occur when
they are producing flower buds or small fruit flower and small fruit tolerance
to these freezing temperatures are practically nil. This is the primary reason
for erratic production of a fruit crop by one of our most popular “lemons”, Meyers,
even though it’s one of the most freeze tolerant of the citrus.
All
citrus trees are subtropical. Most do very well on our farm in the Philippines
where it is tropical. We don’t have the same problems with cold temperatures
that wreck havoc on these trees in our cold desert climate.
citrus trees are subtropical. Most do very well on our farm in the Philippines
where it is tropical. We don’t have the same problems with cold temperatures
that wreck havoc on these trees in our cold desert climate.
Plant
citrus in your landscape and have fun and enjoy their production. But do it
wisely. Understand the limitations of your landscape. Find or create “warm
pockets” or “cool pockets” where you can grow quality food whether it is
vegetables or fruit production. Finding or creating these microclimates will
produce the highest quality food possible for you.
citrus in your landscape and have fun and enjoy their production. But do it
wisely. Understand the limitations of your landscape. Find or create “warm
pockets” or “cool pockets” where you can grow quality food whether it is
vegetables or fruit production. Finding or creating these microclimates will
produce the highest quality food possible for you.