Orange (Container Grown) Growing Guide

Citrus sinensis

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Free-draining soil-based potting compost. Choose oranges grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock for growing in containers.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

No. Grow at temperatures above 7°C (45°F).

Feeding

In spring and summer, feed regularly with a liquid fertiliser. Yellowing leaves indicate a need for more nitrogen.

Spacing

Single Plants: 60cm (1' 11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 60cm (1' 11") with 60cm (1' 11") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Grow in containers of rich compost to keep plants compact and to make it easy to move plants. Good drainage is essential. Start small plants in containers at least 30cm (1ft) wide and pot them up a size yearly until they reach mature size.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Prune in spring or summer to shape plants, and watch for thorns. Very sweet oranges need a long season of warm weather, but kumquats, calamondin oranges and satsumas fruit well in marginal areas or when grown in containers.

Harvesting

Pick when richly coloured and fully ripe. Picking can continue for several weeks as fruits do not ripen all at once.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Orange (Container Grown)

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail