“…next to you, we ALL have a drinking problem!”
(Burn After Reading, dir. The Cohen Brothers, Focus Features, 2008)
Watering citrus trees is not intuitive for newcomers. The biggest reason I lost so many seedlings at the earliest stages of this (summer 2024) is because I didn’t get the water right. I’ll try to explain below the best methods and highlights I’ve learned in this process.
Citrus trees are VERY particular: they don’t tolerate sitting in dampness, and they can’t drink too much or too little. They need infrequent, deep waters, not regular, surface waters. However often you water other plants, citrus trees need it less frequently than you would expect. They like a solid binge and then dry out almost thoroughly between sessions. When in doubt, just let it dry out.
During peak summer in warm conditions, watering every 7-10 days seems to work. Sometimes they will need it more often (say, during a heatwave of 100+ degree temperatures), and sometimes they need longer than 10 days to dry out the soil; I just monitor them. However, during the winter, I water significantly less, maybe only once or twice a month. And, I’ve found that keeping the soil a tiny bit moist (though not super damp) during the winter helps the roots tolerate the colder air, absorb nutrients, and keeps the soil from becoming brittle.
While it’s all too easy to over-water these, they can’t be left completely dry for too long, either; the roots will eventually dehydrate. An indication to water is if the top layer of soil is visibly dry, check by testing soil dampness by hand, or with a bamboo skewer. The leaves will also noticeably droop down and even fall off when severely dehydrated.
Citrus roots are especially prone to root rot, so the soil mix must be well-draining. Using compacted soil that doesn’t drain well will kill it very quickly.
💦💧🌧️🚿🚰
These measurements are not definitive, this is just what’s worked for me so far. Your mileage may vary and your research may lead you to other conclusions. Again, you’re welcome to share your progress in the comments!