Growers in Los Angeles area: how often do you water in-ground citrus?

[greg_D]

New to in-ground citrus and not sure how to handle watering

[oiboyz]

My mom never waters her four citrus trees, but their roots may be reaching to adjacent lawns and flower beds that do get watered.  All four are well established and bear delicious fruit.  She never fertilizes them either.  Their location is the San Gabriel Valley.

My own two young citrus trees were planted last fall, and I think I overwatered at first, giving them a deep watering several times a week.  Some leaves and baby fruit were turning yellow and dropping off.  Then we had such heavy winter rains that I stopped watering altogether, and this summer I've cautiously returned to watering once a week when it doesn't rain.   Both trees look happy now (except for citrus leafminer curling up all the new growth) and they are developing fruit.

That's just my experience; I'm no expert at all.

[Millet]

Greg, it depends on the size/age of your trees.  When you water , water well  don't give the a sprinkle. For newly planted young tree I would water every 3 days until the root system develops.  One year old tree one time a week during thot summer months.

[greg_D]

My mom never waters her four citrus trees, but their roots may be reaching to adjacent lawns and flower beds that do get watered.  All four are well established and bear delicious fruit.  She never fertilizes them either.  Their location is the San Gabriel Valley.

My own two young citrus trees were planted last fall, and I think I overwatered at first, giving them a deep watering several times a week.  Some leaves and baby fruit were turning yellow and dropping off.  Then we had such heavy winter rains that I stopped watering altogether, and this summer I've cautiously returned to watering once a week when it doesn't rain.   Both trees look happy now (except for citrus leafminer curling up all the new growth) and they are developing fruit.

That's just my experience; I'm no expert at all.

Thank you!

[greg_D]

Greg, it depends on the size/age of your trees.  When you water , water well  don't give the a sprinkle. For newly planted young tree I would water every 3 days until the root system develops.  One year old tree one time a week during thot summer months.

Thank you!

[Johnny Eat Fruit]

Water everyday during the summer with a automated Drip irrigation system.

Johnny

[Oolie]

San Diego gets similar water amounts, and similar heat. I let them establish with two or three waterings over summer. Then once established, I don't water at all. The tree will abort fruit it can't hold, but the quality improves dramatically.