Sour orange (forum)

Can1 starts with ...
I have a 6-7 yo orange tree about 3 meters high, produces 100's of fruit but ripen late and are sour but very soft and juicy some are a bit yellow. Any advice?

Time: 1st September 2009 5:23pm

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About the Author Can1
Perth Australia
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Brendan says...
Hi Can1,
Give it some Epsom Salts. I'd add some composted cow manure and mulch heavily out to (or past) the drip-line. Keep the mulch away from the trunk to prevent root-rot.

If there's fruit on already, you can mix up 30g epsom salts, 4.5 litres of water with a good wetting agent and spray the fruit and tree. Spray weekly for 4 weeks and it should sweeten the current crop.

Time: 2nd September 2009 7:45am

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Original Post was last edited: 2nd September 2009 8:46am

About the Author Brendan
Mackay, Q.
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amanda says...
Hi Can1 - this link has some of the best info that I have come across re: citrus (and fruit quality)

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/citrus/management/nutrition/nutrition

It could also be the variety of orange that u have - or a seedling tree? I don't know if u can do much about it - in that case. I lucked out on an Emporer mandarin - I think it's awful IMO! I can't change it - so it's going to get pulled up - very sad after nuturing it for 3yrs :(

It worth giving Brendans tip a go too.

Time: 2nd September 2009 11:24am

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Original Post was last edited: 2nd September 2009 11:26am

About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
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Wayne says...
Don't pull it out Amanda, it's food is making it sour.

Time: 2nd September 2009 4:56pm

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About the Author Wayne
Mackay QLD
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rus says...
I was also of the opinion that epsom salts and potash would sort out a sourness issue.

Time: 2nd September 2009 6:17pm

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About the Author Russ
Perth NOR
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Henry says...
The regular application of Sulphate of Potash, Epsom Salts, a Citrus Fertiliser and Cow Manure would certainly sweeten your oranges.

Time: 3rd September 2009 9:28am

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About the Author Henry
Blacktown
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Can1 says...
I have tried Sulphate of Potash, but will now try Brendan's suggestion of Epsom Salts and some cow manure. I tried juicing some the other day... so, so sour!

Time: 10th September 2009 9:56pm

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About the Author Can1
Perth Australia
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amanda says...
Hi all - I am beginning to realise that the variety is all important when it comes to fruit quality/characteristics. But...citrus are actually a naturally acidic fruit - they are normally a winter fruit? (There is a formal "scale" apparently - of sweet to acid ratio in fruit...?) Personally I think it's serendipity that mother nature provides us with with such a good source of Vit C just when we need it! (Flu' season)

If u eat pineapple etc from a tropical asian climate - it is vastly superior in sweetness to anything we can grow in Aust (except FNQ) - thus I am starting to think that warmth/heat may be critical factors in sugar production? Any other thoughts out there?

(ps - i didn't give my slightly sour and abnormal (out of season) winter passionfruit anything to "sweeten" them - they have done it all by themselves - maybe due to the warmer spring weather?..)

Time: 10th September 2009 10:26pm

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About the Author amanda19
Geraldton. WA
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