The Effect of Temperature on Citrus Fruit

Too Cold

• Extreme temperatures provide poor growing conditions for citrus trees. Most citrus trees are intolerant to cold and are susceptible to permanent injury and death when temperatures fall below 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. However, some citrus trees are more cold-hardy than others and can withstand short periods below 20 degrees, such as kumquats and tangerines. Though all citrus trees can be harmed by extreme cold, mature citrus trees are less susceptible to injury than younger ones. Citrus trees that have been damaged by cold temperatures experience dieback and stunted growth, along with reduced fruit production, if they produce at all.

Too Hot

• Extremely hot, dry temperatures can also stress the growth of citrus trees. Hot, dry temperatures quickly deplete the citrus tree’s water. Citrus trees are intolerant to drought and suffer from drought conditions almost immediately. Symptoms of drought include wilt, dieback and stunted growth. Excessive drought conditions inhibit fruit production and may also kill the trees. To avoid drought conditions during hot temperatures, irrigate your citrus trees deeply and frequently to maintain a relatively moist, but not saturated, soil environment. Water the trees slowly, at soil level, to ensure that the deepest roots receive water.

Storage

• Citrus fruit produced in extreme temperature variations is often of lower quality. The fruit may lack in sweetness or taste. The fruit may also be smaller than average, be oddly shaped or even fail to ripen. Citrus fruit should be stored in cool temperatures, preferably below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, to maintain the fruit’s quality before consumption. Although keeping citrus fruit at room temperature does not harm them, these higher temperatures reduce the fruit’s shelf life.

Considerations

• To prevent irregular growth, always select citrus trees that grow well in your growing environment. Plant the citrus in well-drained, fertile soil, and be sure to select a planting location that receives at least eight hours of full, direct sunlight. Prune your citrus trees in the early spring to remove any dead or dying branches and stems. This promotes healthy new growth.