Ornamental Orange (Green Leaves)

Planting and care

Caring for Ornamental Orange

• Pot the tree in a large container filled with a mixture of 1 part each potting soil, organic compost and per-lite or vermiculite.
• Give the tree plenty of room to spread out and establish a healthy root system. Replant container plants every few years to prevent roots from becoming root bound.
• Water the tree as needed to keep the soil moist but not wetAllow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering.
• Provide direct sunlight for at least several hours daily. Move the plants outdoors for a few hours daily in the spring, increasing the time outdoors until the tree can stay outdoors for the summer. Bring the tree indoors in the fall, before the first cold snap. Decrease the time outdoors slowly until the tree is acclimated to staying indoors.
• Fertilize your calamondin orange with a citrus formula or a slow-release formula specifically for acid loving plants during the growing season.
• Dilute the fertilizer to half the recommended strength during the winter months.
• Inspect the foliage regularly and before bringing the tree in for the fall. Treat insect infestations chemically, following the directions on the package.
• Prune your calamondin orange tree only as needed to remove dead or diseased branches. Pinch back water sprouts or spurs that grow from the trunk or roots.

Typical uses of Ornamental Orange

Special features:

Culinary use: These oranges are tart, to say the least. Sample one for sourness before using any in cooking. You can use them in place of lemons in a recipe.

Ornamental use: There is no hurry to pick calamondins. They re long-lasting, so you can enjoy them for months on the tree.

References