March 13, 2004
Question: Our citrus trees are starting to blossom and we still have fruit on them. Is it imperative to pick the fruits off so they won’t harm the tree?
- Danielle, e-mail
Answer: There is no need to remove any of the old fruits in order to stimulate flowering and fruit production. The tree will flower and bear new fruits without regards to last season’s crop. However, by now, these old fruits are rotting and could attract unwanted insects and harbor unknown diseases. Practice good garden culture and remove them to give your tree a fresh start.
Stephen Brown is a horticulture agent with the Lee County Extension.
To submit questions call the horticulture desk at 461-7504 between 9 a.m. and 4
p.m. or via e-mail at
shb@mail.ifas.ufl.edu. Listen to the ‘Garden Show’ at 8 a.m. on
1200-AM WINK/WNOG.