[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Dick Gross]

My own limited but long term experience with citrus tells me to leave the 
tree or trees alone until the first flush appears in the spring indicating 
that the soil is warm aqain. You will get a better feeling for what needs to 
go and where you lop can be influenced by the location of new vigorous 
growth. Wounds made by the cuts will form callus faster if sap is flowing 
and be sure to prune dead branches back to live wood for better healing, 
preferably to a point just beyond a bud but keep proportioning in mind as 
you do, selecting a lower bud if prudent. If bark is exposed to direct sun 
after the frozen foliage is gone, be sure to protect it with white latex.

I don't believe it would be damaging to leave frozen fruit on the tree but 
you could pick most or all of it and freeze the juice from the good ones. 
Picking would, I believe, have a positive effect on the new crop. You should 
fertilize  in March June and September and water to a depth of at least 3 
feet at the dripline when you do.

Citrus experts are urged to comment on the advice of this novice and adjust 
so that I may also learn from the exchange. Citrus is a wonderful fruit and 
every Valley home owner should be skilled in its culture.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
Maricopa County Cooperative Extension


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <nadaley80 at hotmail.com>
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 11:17 AM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


>
> 85375
> nadaley80 at hotmail.com
>
> Should the lemons that are still firm on the frost damaged tree be left, 
> or should they all be removed from the tree now? Should the badly frost 
> bitten citrus trees be pruned now or wait until early spring?
>
>
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