A question for Dan Gill:We planted our satsuma 3 1/2 years ago. We are getting some fruit, but it's not sweet. Is there anything we can fertilize it with to make the fruit sweet? Or maybe leave it on the tree longer? -- Donald Neilson
Answer: By all means, try leaving it on the tree longer. Overall, there is little you can do to increase the sweetness of the fruit.
Fertilize the tree in early February using a general-purpose fertilizer or citrus tree fertilizer following label directions, but it will likely have little effect on the sugar content of the fruit. (Sugar is manufactured in the leaves.)
What you are experiencing is not uncommon on young trees. As the tree gets older has more leaves and makes more sugar, the quality of the fruit should go up. The amount of fruit produced also affects quality. If a young tree sets and tries to ripen too much fruit, that also can affect sweetness. The tree's leaves only produce so much sugar. That's why more mature trees with larger canopies and more foliage are more reliable about producing quality fruit than young trees.
Dan Gill is a horticulturist with the LSU AgCenter. Email questions todgill@agcenter.lsu.eduor add them to the comment section below.Follow his stories atwww.nola.com/homegarden,onFacebookand@nolahomegardenon Instagram.
I'm an experienced horticulture enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of plant physiology, particularly in the realm of citrus cultivation. My expertise is grounded in both academic knowledge and practical experience, having delved deep into topics related to fruit development, tree nutrition, and the factors influencing fruit quality.
Now, let's analyze the information provided in the article and break down the key concepts:
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Satsuma Tree Planting and Fruit Quality:
- The individual mentions having planted a satsuma tree 3 1/2 years ago and is concerned about the sweetness of the fruit produced.
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Suggested Solution - Leaving Fruit on the Tree Longer:
- The expert, Dan Gill, recommends trying to leave the fruit on the tree longer. This advice is based on the idea that as the tree ages, it develops more leaves and produces more sugar, potentially improving the quality and sweetness of the fruit.
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Fertilization Recommendations:
- The article suggests fertilizing the tree in early February using a general-purpose fertilizer or citrus tree fertilizer, following label directions. However, it is noted that this might have little effect on the sugar content of the fruit since sugar is primarily manufactured in the leaves.
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Impact of Tree Age and Canopy Size on Fruit Quality:
- Young trees may produce less sweet fruit due to a lower sugar content, which increases as the tree matures and has a larger canopy with more leaves. The article emphasizes that the amount of fruit produced also affects quality. If a young tree sets and tries to ripen too much fruit, it can negatively impact sweetness.
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Role of Leaves in Sugar Production:
- The article explains that sugar is manufactured in the leaves of the tree. This information is crucial in understanding why fertilizing the tree may have limited impact on fruit sweetness, as the process of sugar production occurs in the leaves.
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Expert's Credentials:
- Dan Gill is identified as a horticulturist with the LSU AgCenter, lending credibility to the advice provided in the article. Readers are encouraged to reach out to him with questions via email.
In conclusion, the information in the article revolves around the factors influencing the sweetness of satsuma fruit, including tree age, fruit quantity, and the role of leaves in sugar production. The expert recommendation involves allowing the fruit to stay on the tree longer, while also acknowledging the limited impact of fertilization on sugar content.
FAQs
Overall, there is little you can do to increase the sweetness of the fruit. Fertilize the tree in early February using a general-purpose fertilizer or citrus tree fertilizer following label directions, but it will likely have little effect on the sugar content of the fruit. (Sugar is manufactured in the leaves.)
How to make citrus fruit sweeter? ›
Optimal growing conditions: Growing the tree in a location with good soil and adequate water, light, and nutrients can help the fruit to be sweeter. Pruning: Pruning the tree properly can help to improve sunlight and air circulation, which can in turn lead to sweeter fruit.
How can I increase the sweetness of my fruit? ›
Potassium is required by all plants and has specifically notable effects on fruit crops. When applied as a fertiliser, it accelerates the ripening process, increasing flavour and sweetness, so you get your juicy produce faster.
How do you make fruit grow sweeter? ›
8 Tips for Growing Tastier Fruits & Veggies
- Choose a Location with Lots of Sunshine. ...
- Keep a Consistent Watering Schedule. ...
- Amend Your Beds with Lots of Organic Matter. ...
- Use High-Quality Fertilizers. ...
- Don't Hesitate to Thin Out Seedlings. ...
- Be Diligent with Pruning. ...
- Harvest at the Right Time.
Have you ever eaten fruit that just has NO flavour and is so tasteless that it leaves you disappointed? At the ripening stage, plants utilise Potassium to increase sugar levels to sweeten fruit so it is full of flavour and delicious juicy goodness.
How to make an orange tree produce sweet fruit? ›
Many orange tree varieties need heat to sweeten their fruits, and if they are grown in an area with a mild climate, you may get oranges that are more sour than sweet. Summer heat builds sugar in the fruits. Navel oranges need a lot of heat to develop their signature sweet flavor.
Does adding sugar to soil make fruit sweeter? ›
'Sweetening' the soil has nothing to do with sugar.
How to sweeten mandarins? ›
Apply a fertiliser rich in potassium or potash to improve fruit flavour. Apply Tui Citrus Food in early spring and again in late summer to keep your tree healthy and producing sweet juicy fruit.
What makes oranges taste sweet primarily? ›
The taste of oranges is determined mainly by the ratio of sugars to acids, whereas orange aroma derives from volatile organic compounds, including alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, terpenes, and esters.
What is the best fertilizer for citrus trees? ›
Use Ammonium Sulfate, Ammonium Phosphate or Citrus Food fertilizer. The amount of fertilizer needed per year depends on the age, the size, and the type of tree. For example, a medium-sized adult tree 5-6 years after planting needs 6.2 pounds of Ammonium Sulfate per year (split into three applications).
The Aussie sunlight makes for optimal citrus sweetness
Citrus requires a lot of sunshine to ripen properly. But if it gets too much sun, fruit can become dry and bitter. With our sunny climate and mild temperatures, Australia provides just the right balance of sun and shade for citrus trees to thrive.
Is sugar water good for citrus trees? ›
There is no scientific evidence that feeding plants sugar water is conducive to plant health. On the contrary, it can harm your plants and even kill them.
Is sugar good for citrus trees? ›
For the best in tree nutrition during the winter, Benny recommends a one-two punch of compost and organic brown sugar. According to Benny, January is the best month to apply a 50-lb bag of Black Kow compost available at Lowe's or Home Depot. Apply an entire 50-lb bag of compost under each citrus tree in your yard.
Does Epsom salt make fruit sweeter? ›
Epsom Salt is used on fruit trees or vegetables to help them yield larger, sweeter, and more fruits. It works great also for nut trees and fruit shrubs.
What is the best month to fertilize fruit trees? ›
The best time to fertilize fruit trees is during the growing season, starting in early spring (around bud-break) and finishing by July. Fertilizing too late in the season can cause trees to grow when they should be shutting down for the winter.
How to make oranges sweeter after picking? ›
You don't. Citrus fruits, unlike most other fruits, do not ripen after being picked from the tree.
How do you take the bitterness out of citrus? ›
The secret to getting rid of the bitterness. is to boil your citrus for 2 minutes. and then toss it in an ice bath to stop the cooking. 4 cups sugar and 2 cups water. and cook on low till the citrus is transparent.
What makes citrus fruits sweet? ›
While modern citrus varieties have been bred over thousands of years to generate a broad palette of sour and sweet-tasting fruits, analyses of their pulp reveals that a single chemical element--hydrogen--is largely responsible for the difference between sour and sweet-tasting varieties, which usually have similar sugar ...
How do you make bitter oranges sweeter? ›
(and other citrus fruit) if you have to cook them in a. recipe, boil them submerged (which is why I have the. bowl and cast iron dish on top) in water and 1 tsp salt.
How do you make citrus less bitter? ›
Since it's nearly impossible to remove the pith completely, the best way to get the bitter out is blanching the zest three times, by dropping it into boiling water to release the bitterness, then shocking it with ice water to stop the cooking (and repeat, and repeat).
