[Arid_gardener] Re: newly planted navel orange trees

[Dick]

I have been a home grower of five varieties for more than 40 years. A tree will, at any given time, only hold and mature that fruit that it has the strength to carry. Any deficiency of nutrient, or improper irrigation at the right place to the right depth will cause any citrus to abort a lot of fruit proportionate to its state of health at that time. But any healthy citrus tree will have many many more blossoms than the number of fruit that it can handle and still maintain its exuberance. A healthy tree will abort until a balance is achieved. It is natures way of self preservatiopn. My own mature trees will cover the basin with aborted fruit from pea to golfball size. That is always un-nerving  but I have always had bumper crops on five varieties with proper fertilization and deep irrigation at the dripline. And, pollination has miraculously taken care of itself.

Your trees may be juveniles. They may need a couple of years to develop a hearty root system that can sustain abundant fruit. If the foliage is green and new growth vigorous, have patience. We don't expect our women to produce babies at the age of twelve. Roughly, the same principle is applicable here, I believe. 

You are in citrus country. Until your trees are a little more mature, buy your citrus at Safeway. It is difficult to fail even with gross neglect but give them a little more time while paying close attention to deep watering in the right place-- the drip line, and keeping them well fed.

Seek out your nearest University of California Cooperative Extension and solicit their expert advice if any of this is confusing.

Bcc: Arid Gardener; VOSG; azcrfg

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Maricopa County 
Cooperative Extension
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: james&soledad 
  To: info at crfg.org 
  Cc: james90670 at yahoo.com 
  Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2007 6:19 PM
  Subject: newly planted navel orange trees


  greeting;  thanks for your help in the past. we have planted navel orange trees. we have a or several problems  the new green fruit starts, after several weeks the fruit turns black,and falls off the trees. what are we doing wrong? the trees are located in city of upland. the soil has lots rocks and sandy, so there is good drainage. please help us with this matter soon so long for now. the hogan's
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