Citrus trees benefit from light, selective pruning
Quite often I receive calls from gardeners asking if they should prune their citrus trees as they do their deciduous fruit trees, and if so, when should the pruning be done. I recently came across an excellent article on pruning citrus trees written by Craig Kallsen, Citrus Farm Advisor in Kern County. Kallsen does a great job explaining how pruning should be used to take advantage of the natural growth and fruiting habits of citrus.
Gardeners should recognize and encourage natural enemies
In a recent column I discussed the importance of "natural enemies" in reducing the population of aphid pests in gardens. For those who may be unfamiliar with the term, natural enemies are those organisms that kill or otherwise reduce the numbers of plant pests. Important natural enemies of insect and mite pests include predators, parasites, and pathogens (disease-causing organisms).
Look for aphids on new spring growth
Aphids are one of the most common and troublesome garden pests. They tend to be most troublesome in spring, because they favor cool weather and reproduce rapidly on the lush, vigorous growth of fruit trees, ornamental plants and vegetable seedlings. I've already seen heavy aphid infestations on ivy and roses.
Columnists: Ed Perry
- It's important to control weeds around young fruit trees
- Why do flowers have colors?
- Stop the surge of spotted spurge
- It's not too early to start seedlings
- Consider proper area for plants
- Oils can be effective in handling bugs
- Don't till soil until it's ready
- Soil layers can restrict drainage
- The right tools key to pruning
- Good pruning requires the proper equipment
- Fruit trees also need pruning
- Mature trees usually need little pruning
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