The climate inArkansasranges from U.S. Department of Agriculture flora hardiness zones 6b through 8b , whilecitrus trees(Citrusspp . ) prosper in USDA zones 9 through 11 . Because the average extreme winter temperatures in zone 8b , the fond zone in Arkansas , magnetic dip to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and citrus Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree only tolerate temperatures down to 28 degree Fahrenheit , growing citrus tree outside is tough . Arkansas occupant can still grow nanus citrus trees in planter that can be wheel into a sun room , greenhouse or other indoor location in wintertime .
Citrus in Containers
The Soil
Citrus trees prefer a slightlyacidic , organically rich , well - drainedsoil mix . Use an acidic potting admixture , 2 contribution outdoor potting mix combined with 1 part Grant Wood shaving , or make your own by mix equal parts sand , wood shaving or peat moss and well - decompose compost . Place a firearm of window screen over the drainage hole to keep the dirt in when the water drain from the pot . Plant the tree in the moist soil at the same horizontal surface as it was in the grower potbelly .
Water and Fertilizer
irrigate the tree every five to seven dayswith 1/4 to 1/2 gallon of urine , adding water until it drains from the bottom of the pot . Monitor the tree to assure that the soil is moist , but not waterlogged and adjust tearing as needed .
Applyfertilizerin February or March , and then once every six weeks afterward . Use a fertilizer word for citrus , such as a slow - release10 - 6 - 4 fertilizer . strike the fertilizer gently into the soil , at a pace of 2 tablespoon the first year . After the first class , tot 4 tablespoons for a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree up to 4 foot marvelous , and 1/2 cup thereafter . Always water good after fertilizing .
Prune the Tree
broadly , citrous fruit do not require pruning except toshapethe tree , take away part or damage branches and remove sucker . Trim overlong branchesor rapidly arise water sprouts back as involve . Remove suckersgrowing below the graft or from the tooth root immediately ; otherwise , the vigorous rootstock can overtake the desirable grafting , and you ’ll have a setose Dubya with less suitable fruit .
Winter Protection
Move the treeindoorswhen temperature get to dangle . Citrus Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree prefer temperature between55and85 degreesFahrenheit . While the sheltered gay corner in the garden is a good summer family , move the tree indoors when temperatures dribble to 55 point . Put the tree in front of a window that receives four to eight hours of sunshine daily , or add on with a grow light . A nerveless steam vaporiser adds moisture to the atmosphere around the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree .
nanus citrustrees are easily grown in planters or magnanimous flowerpots . Because the tree , pot and land are heavy , use a planter or flora stand on castor so you’re able to move the tree indoors when moth-eaten weather arrives . Begin with an 8- to 10 - in container for a 1 - year - previous tree . A 2- to 3 - year - old tree can be moved to a 12- to 14 - column inch - diameter pot . As the tree diagram develop , keep moving it to the next size larger spate , up to 20 in in diam .
Warning
Dwarf Citrus Varieties
While agriculturalist are develop fresh midget citrus , on their own rhizome or transplant onto the ' Flying Dragon ' ( Poncirus trifoliata , USDA zones 5 through 9 ) dwarf rootstock , there are already a number oftried and truevarieties for the citrus enthusiast .
Arizona , California , Florida and Texas do not allow for citrus fruit tree to be ship to residents from out - of - state nurseries .
Citrus Relatives
Kumquat Tree
Kumquatis hardy down to USDA zone 8a and thrives in the summer heat of USDA zona 10 . kumquat tree are often grafted onto the rootstock of hardy Orange River , also do it as ' fly Dragon . ' kumquat tree demand winter protection from stark freezes that dip below 10 to 15 degree Fahrenheit . ' Nagami ' ( Fortunella margaritaSwing . ) produces small , citrus - comparable fruit , 1 3/4 in long and 1 3/16 inches panoptic . Kumquats may be eat raw or made into marmalade , sweet muddle or sauce .
Hardy Orange Shrub
Hardy orangeis a thorny , deciduous shrub that may be grown in all Arkansas USDA zone . The 1- to 2 1/2 - inch lemony fruits are edible , but acidic , and may be made into marmalade . A words of shrubs can serve as a protective molding around the garden ; the irritant are venomous .
While reliable citrus are cold - sore , citrus relativeskumquat ( Fortunellaspp . ) and hardy Orange River ( Poncirus trifoliata ) are more cold - tolerant . These small trees and bush have the same territory , water and fertilizer demand as other citrus tree trees .
