How Often Should You Fertilize a Dwarf Orange Tree?

Fertilization

• All citrus feed rely heavily on nitrogen. Provide at least a 2-1-1 ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus and potassium. Slow release granular forms of fertilizer work well on containerized dwarf orange trees. Most citrus fertilizer formulas will also provide trace amounts of beneficial minerals such as magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper to the soil. Yellow leaves are an indication that your dwarf orange tree is either water-logged or nutrient-deficient. Verify that trees are draining properly. Remove excess water from the drain tray of containerized plants and adjust fertilizer schedule, if necessary.

The Importance of Proper Fertilization

• Container-grown fruit trees require a consistent application of proper nutrients to thrive. Properly fertilized dwarf orange trees will fruit regularly and have lush, dark green foliage. Over-fertilized trees, on the other hand, will experience excess vegetative growth and poor fruiting. Too much fertilizer may also lead to salt accumulation in the soil. A white crust on soil and branch dieback are indications of this. Leach out excess fertilizer by running water slowly through the container for several minutes, letting the excess nutrients drain through the soil out the bottom drainage holes.

Site Selection

• Dwarf orange trees need a lot of light, preferably at least eight hours of full sunlight per day, for best fruit production. Place indoor dwarf orange tree near a window with a southern exposure. If light levels are insufficient, consider supplementing sunlight with an artificial plant light. Fortunately, unlike traditional orange trees, dwarf oranges do not require high levels of humidity in the air. Consequently, this species will function reasonably well as an indoor plant.

General Care and Maintenance

• Maintain dwarf orange trees between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. During cold winter months, provide water only when the soil feels dry to the touch, approximately once a week. In the summer growing months keep soil fairly evenly moist, but never soggy, by watering plants two or three times a week. If you wish your plant to pollinate naturally, temporarily set it outdoors during the spring after all cold weather has passed. Alternatively, you may choose to keep the tree indoor year-round and stimulate insect pollination on your own, by shaking the plant lightly while flowers are present on the plant.