Last month, we discussed why citrus thrives in our climate, and I asked readers to answer where some of the best citrus in the world is grown. Surprisingly, it’s the region surrounding Mt. Vesuvius in Italy. In 2018, I happened upon a market outside the ruins of Pompeii and discovered football-sized lemons. I assumed it was a foreign fruit I’d never heard of until I asked the seller. He told me that ash deposits from Mt. Vesuvius create perfect conditions for growing citrus prized for flavor, oil content, and zest. The intensity of the volcanic explosion back in 79 AD left a layer of minerals that today varies anywhere from 6 to 65 feet deep. The volcanic deposits provide a steady supply of nutrients and improve soil structure. My takeaway is remembering how vital nutrients are for plants and that we often don’t fertilize enough throughout the growing season.
I have a couple of varieties of dwarf limes and lemons that I grow exclusively in pots. My family doesn’t use large quantities of citrus, so a few potted trees produce just enough without waste. Over the years, I’ve made a point to ensure I fertilize more regularly with organic citrus fertilizer. I put about ⅓ cup every two weeks in my citrus pots instead of doing a higher amount less often. With regular nutrients, I noticed thriving, healthy plants with tasty fruit instead of smaller, weak plants prone to insects and disease.
Of course, plants can be healthy and still get pests. Some common pests that attack citrus include scale, aphids, white flies, and leaf miners. Scale bugs are particularly gross. Bumps appear along the branches, and it is hard to tell if they are even bugs at first glance. Because of their tough shell-like coating, they are difficult to remove, and left unchecked; the sap-sucking bugs will ultimately kill the tree. I first encountered scale bugs when I attempted to grow citrus indoors in Utah. I tried scraping them off some branches, but my husband’s method of burning them with his lighter proved much more satisfying and effective. In the end, I decided to prune off the affected branches and spray the others with Neem oil. For organic pest control, Neem Oil or Insecticidal Soap is the way to go. Neem repels insects and suffocates soft-bodied pests. Insecticidal soap breaks down the protective outer layer of insects and kills them through dehydration and death. Either method is highly effective and safe for use on anything edible.
Now that you’re on your way to growing organic, beautiful citrus, I’ll leave you with a recipe that only requires sugar and juiced citrus halves. Place all of your juiced rinds in a bowl, cover with a layer of sugar, and let it sit covered for a day. The result is a syrup that forms as oils and moisture are extracted from the citrus. Strain the syrup from the bowl and enjoy over ice cream, pancakes, or even in a mixed drink.
Happy Gardening!