Citrus Experience Podcast

What’s something you’ve heard about citrus trees that you aren’t sure whether is true or not? There’s a lot of misinformation out there; following the wrong advice could harm your citrus trees more than help them. In this episode, Susan Burns, marketing horticulturist, and Gary Eyles, industry expert and Founder of Citrus Men, debunk common myths surrounding growing and nurturing citrus trees. Listen to learn the proper ways to care for your citrus tree and prolong its life (and a surprise at the end of the episode!).   What to Listen For: [01:26] Are epsom salts good for citrus trees? [04:51] How root temperature affects citrus trees [05:44] Is sugar good for citrus trees? [06:30] Are tonics the same as fertilisers? [09:04] Do citrus trees need pollinators? [10:35] Why you shouldn’t urinate on citrus trees [12:00] Understanding fertiliser [14:02] Can you really grow citrus indoors? [16:43] Is it okay to water citrus trees with soapy water? [19:47] Does a lot of citrus fruit mean a small tree is healthy? [22:19] Do citrus trees love eggshells? [23:48] Introducing Pongkanomi [26:20] Parting thoughts   Follow the Citrus Experience Podcast Website: https://www.citrusmen.com.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citrusmen.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citrusmen/?hl=en

Did you know that the quality of your citrus tree depends on its rootstocks? Many people, especially those new to planting citrus, mistake appearance for the quality of the tree. But what goes on underground actually determines its quality, even if you can’t see it. In this episode, Susan Burns, marketing horticulturist, and Gary Eyles, industry expert and Founder of Citrus Men, share insights about the history of rootstocks and how it affects a citrus tree. Listen to understand how you can preserve the quality of your citrus tree and even enjoy delicious fruits with the right care.   What to Listen For: [02:22] Have we always used rootstock? [03:21] The history of understock in Australia [06:07] The historical benefits of rough lemon rootstock [12:15] What are true-to-type citrus? [13:41] Why growing citrus from seeds isn’t recommended [15:44] Why you shouldn’t plant citrus from overseas [18:45] Understanding cutting-grown trees [21:33] How to tell if a citrus tree was grafted [23:15] Should you bury the graft? [24:10] Citrus graft best practices [25:46] Recap, final tips, and parting thoughts   Follow the Citrus Experience Podcast Website: https://www.citrusmen.com.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citrusmen.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citrusmen/?hl=en

If the quality of citrus fruits depends on the health of the tree, how do you care for the tree? There’s a lot that goes into it, from choosing the right fertiliser to understanding when you’ve under or overwater it. In this episode, Susan Burns, marketing horticulturist, and Gary Eyles, industry expert and Founder of Citrus Men, talk about the best practices to follow once you’ve got your tree planted at home. Listen to learn how to prolong your citrus tree’s life, and when it might be time to replace it.   What to Listen For: [02:40] Why tree roots matter [03:00] How to train and frame your citrus tree [06:15] Citrus tree potting best practices [09:12] The value of your soil mix [10:01] The best pot types for citrus trees [12:18] Can citrus grow indoors? [16:24] Understanding citrus fertilising and watering [19:40] How to revive potted citrus trees [25:45] Should you still water your citrus tree after it rains? [27:13] How to feed hungry citrus trees [29:08] When to move on to another citrus tree [31:30] Parting thoughts   Follow the Citrus Experience Podcast Website: https://www.citrusmen.com.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citrusmen.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citrusmen/?hl=en  

Our Citrus industry is protected and secure from many diseases that have ravaged citrus trees in areas across the world. The processes and strategies that are in place in Australia are world-class. We go behind the scenes and discuss what we do commercially and what we should do domestically to protect our citrus trees. What to Listen For: [1:16] What to know about citrus gall wasps [5:12] What is citrus greening?  [7:10] How greening affects the citrus industry [8:20] What greening looks like on citrus trees and fruits [8:50] The scale of Australia’s citrus industry  [11:27] What are citrus cankers? [12:04] Canker outbreaks in Australia [13:43] How cankers appear on citrus trees  [14:55] Australia’s world-class biosecurity professionals [15:44] What is Auscitrus and what do they do? [17:38] The Auscitrus repository: A library for citrus trees [19:46] How Citrus Men ensures disease-free citrus trees [21:16] Australian guidelines for transporting citrus trees [21:47] The challenges of transporting to Western Australia [24:50] How to avoid spreading citrus diseases [26:26] Final thoughts Follow the Citrus Experience Podcast Website: https://www.citrusmen.com.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citrusmen.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citrusmen/?hl=en

What are citrus trees up to every season? Every cycle of citrus trees brings new surprises, colours, and even behaviours you should be aware of to keep your citrus looking fresh as the temperature falls and rises throughout the year. In this episode, Susan Burns, marketing horticulturist, and Gary Eyles, industry expert and Founder of Citrus Men, walk you through how citrus trees transform throughout the four seasons. Listen for tips on how to keep citrus fresh in your garden all-year round.   What to Listen For: [0:59] Citrus trees in spring [2:24] What happens to citrus tree roots in spring [4:35] When to give citrus trees feed [6:46] A fun fact about citrus trees [10:21] On and off seasons for citrus [11:!2] Citrus trees in summer [12:31] How to keep your citrus tree hydrated in summer [14:45] How to deal with citrus water shoots [17:52] Citrus trees in autumn [19:40] Is autumn a good time to up pot your citrus? [21:40] Citrus trees in winter [24:42] How fruits ripen in winter [27:31] Helping with citrus maturity [28:08] Parting thoughts   Follow the Citrus Experience Podcast Website: https://www.citrusmen.com.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citrusmen.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citrusmen/?hl=en

Tired of the same old citrus trees? It’s time to upgrade your citrus wardrobe with a selection of vibrant and beautiful citrus cultivars—some of which you might not have even heard of!  In this episode, Susan Burns, marketing horticulturist, and Gary Eyles, industry expert and Founder of Citrus Men, are your guides through the ever-growing world of citrus trees. Listen in to learn the history of citrus fruits in Australia and cultivars to add an exciting variety to your garden. What to Listen For: [1:05] When citrus first came to Australia  [3:48] The value of traditional limes  [5:12] The history of Seedless Eureka Lemons in Australia  [7:36] What makes certain citrus expensive  [9:26] Cara cara navels: The seedless blood orange [10:37] The distinct taste of Cara cara navels [11:51] Sugar bubbas: A mini Mandarin [15:01] The world of citrus rootstocks [16:59] Flying Dragon rootstocks: The dwarfing, protecting wonder  [17:30] Lemon Pinky: The pink hearted lemon [20:13] Citrus splitzers: A double grafted citrus [24:10] Introducing: The Ponkanomi [28:45] Settling a historical citrus debate  [29:54] Parting thoughts Follow the Citrus Experience Podcast Website: https://www.citrusmen.com.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citrusmen.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citrusmen/?hl=en

What milestones should you expect when caring for your citrus tree? If you're not a seasoned citrus grower, you might be confused about what milestones signify an alive and thriving tree. Knowing what to watch out for can help you maintain your tree's health from planting all the way to when you see your first fruit.  In this episode, Susan Burns, marketing horticulturist, and Gary Eyles, Founder of Citrus Men and industry expert, share insights on the milestones to expect from your citrus tree, when to expect your first fruits, as well as the big issue with over-potting your plant.   What to Listen For: [00:00] Introduction [01:56] The work that goes into a citrus tree [03:40] Understand the value of your tree [06:38] What to do when you first receive your tree  [09:01] Planting your tree in a pot [10:40] The biggest issue with over-potting your tree  [14:52] When to expect your first citrus fruits [18:15] Steps for planting your tree in the garden [21:50] Drainage in pot plants [24:37] Advise on fertilizer application [27:17] Parting thoughts    Follow the Citrus Experience Podcast Website: https://www.citrusmen.com.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citrusmen.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citrusmen/?hl=en

Are you thinking of sprucing up your front yard? Consider citrus plants! You may not realize it, but you have a lot of exciting options for citrus plants in your front yard. These can help you create lovely hedges while providing you with a healthy source of nutrition. In this episode, Susan Burns, marketing horticulturist, and Gary Eyles, Founder of Citrus Men and industry expert, share insights about why citrus plants deserve to be in your front yard and practical advice to maintain them to create a garden you’re proud of every day.   What to Listen For: [1:57] Citrus you can plant in your front yard [7:38] Your choices of hedge sizes [10:00] Tips for regular hedge maintenance and planting [11:48] What feed you need for a healthy citrus plants [18:11] Why you should consider citrus gems   Follow the Citrus Experience Podcast Website: https://www.citrusmen.com.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citrusmen.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citrusmen/?hl=en