How to Acclimate Citrus Trees

Plants grown in a greenhouse must be acclimated carefully before planting or placing them outdoors. This is especially true in hot or sunny locations. Many species should never be grown in full sun. Before purchasing a plant, learn about its sun requirements. Knowing the plants requirements can avoid any damage to the plant by incorrectly giving it the wrong conditions.

NOTE: This is part 2 in a series of 11 articles. For a complete background on how to grow citrus trees, we recommend starting from the beginning.

If your plant has been grown in a greenhouse, here are a few steps we recommend you follow:

  • Keep the plants in their pots or grow bags and place them in a semi-shaded spot outside for a day, then move them to a sunnier location.
  • Water the plants upon arrival but let the soil dry to promote the hardening-off process.
  • Watch for signs of leaf damage and move them to a shaded area with filtered sunlight if needed. Air movement is vital for hardening off the plant, so protect them from harsh winds.
  • After 2-3 days, if weather conditions allow and soil temperatures remain above 50ºF, plant them outdoors in their permanent location. Plant on a cloudy day for best results.

It will become necessary to move your container-grown plants indoors to overwinter when temperatures drop below 60 degrees. Prepare your plants for this by gradually shading the plants over a 3-week period.

These are general guide recommendations. Some plants take longer than others to acclimate.

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