Caring for Florida citrus trees (landscape, grown, fertilizing, bug)

[vacharmer]

My father lives in Florida and has taken and interest in gardening. He has just planted several citrus trees but is not sure exactly how to care for them. I would like to find a good beginner level book that will instruct him how to care for Florida citrus and other Florida plants. I thought this would be a nice Christmas gift. Can anyone recommend a good book for beginners?

[floridasandy]

a good book is florida's best fruiting plants, by charles r. boning.

also if he has a specific question about his citrus he can contact his county's extension department by just clicking on the county links provided:
http://www.florida-agriculture.com/lawn%5Fgarden/

[FLPL75]

vacharmer
What a nice thing to do for your Dad

What part of Florida is in ?
There are different zones all over the state
Some experience freezes (we had lots of frost in NEFL this morning) 20 miles inland from us had a freeze warning

[si33]

..my best advise, follow the suggestions given by the previous two posters...and research info for the location your father is in over the web..

..Generally, most citrus can be grown over all of the state..but some varieties can be more tender to frost and freeze..
Here in central ca. citrus trees also do extremely well in all but the coldest locales, and while we lack the humidity associated with florida..we do experiance frosts now and again.
The best way help any of the more tender varieties,or any variety withstand the stresses associated with cold temperture exposure is to maintain a ballenced watering and fertilizing schedule.
trees ive had experiance with,which showed the worst damage were those which were unhealthy.. always follow proper pruning techniques and keep the soil below any citrus tree free of weeds and mulch as the soil will release latent heat during coldspells

One thing i will advise you on,..and this is also something all californians who can grow citrus trees should be aware of, Reciently, a
type of insect which carrys a nasty,destructive disease showed up in the southern half of our state. It,from all ive read,is already widespread over florida and southern texas..the disease this bug can spread completely weakens and kills citrus trees.. interestingly, orange jessamine,a popular landscape shrub in florida is thought to be a host for the insects..
if there are any of these plants anywhere nearby, consider placing a sticky trap in the tree to moniter for this insect...and keep an eye on the tree.
The disease involved (..go figure,..i can't remember the name at the moment) basically destroys the tree slowly,taking a few years to completely kill it.. if a healthy tree suddenly shows clear signs of distress.. (die back in sections of the canopy,or widespread yellowing dispite proper fertilizing)..contact your local ag. extention.
From the info ive looked at, orange jessamine may soon be banned from florida nurseries and it's removal from landscapes there encouraged..if this isn't being done at this time..
Here in california,.. they're just getting started..and so are the preventitive measures...

[harry chickpea]

"Citrus greening"

The proper care for citrus is to plant them in sandy soil and ferget 'em.

Citrus thrive in poor soils and the roots like sand. As for citrus greening and canker- if they are going to get them they will. If they won't, they won't. Sorry to be so blunt, but those are the facts. Been there, done that, got the grapefruit juice stains on the shirt and chainsaw marks on the ground to prove it.