Q: My mandarin tree is dropping its tiny green fruits. Can you tell me why this is happening? The amount that is falling seems to be a lot more than normal.
A: It’s normal for all types of citrus trees to drop some immature fruit at this time of year. This self-thinning is nature’s way of making sure the tree does not become too overburdened with fruit. However, if your tree is dropping a lot of the immature fruit then it could be for one of several reasons. I have listed a few of the most common ones below.
Changes in weather can stress your citrus tree and cause fruit to drop. We have experienced some extremes in the weather the past couple of weeks, with an almost 50-degree difference in temperatures from one day to the next. I’m not sure what variety of Mandarin you have, but the Satsuma Mandarins — while cold tolerant — are very sensitive to the heat and are more likely to drop immature fruit than other varieties when temperatures spike in May and June.
There is not a lot you can do to change the weather, but you can help mitigate the stress on your tree by keeping the tree well-watered when the temperature spikes. If your tree is in a pot, this may mean watering it every day.
Droughted trees can be another cause of fruit drop and, if the lack of water is severe enough or occurs frequently, may also cause leaves to yellow and fall off the tree.
University of California Cooperative Extension professor Nick Sakovich wrote in the U.C. Agriculture and Natural Resources bulletin, “Water stress during the late spring/early summer can cause a yield reduction, otherwise known as June drop (although some drop is normal). Once we get past that period, trees can tolerate substantial water stress without crop loss. However, what will happen if we don't apply adequate water will be a significant reduction in fruit size.”
To prevent excessive fruit drop from happening make sure to water deeply and frequently during hot spells. Adding a layer of mulch under your tree can help protect the tree from drying out between watering and subsequently protect against the loss of immature fruit.
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A nitrogen deficiency can also be the cause of fruit drop. This time of year is when trees need the most nutrients as they are blooming and setting fruit. Mandarin trees need between one and 1.5 pounds of actual nitrogen per year. This works out to a total yearly application of approximately eight to 12 pounds of a fertilizer formulated for citrus. The University of California recommends applying fertilizer in three applications spread out over the spring and summer months. For our climate, I suggest applying these three applications in February, April and June.
Excessive pruning or a severe pest infestation can also cause excess fruit drop.
For more information on growing citrus, check out the University of California’s citrus growing resources on “The California Backyard Orchard” website at https://bit.ly/2XW4pIr.
The Shasta Master Gardeners Program can be reached by phone at 242-2219 or email mastergardener@shastacollege.edu. The gardener office is staffed by volunteers trained by the University of California to answer gardeners' questions using information based on scientific research.
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