How tall do orange trees grow is a worry that most gardeners have. But if you wonder whether you can keep the orange tree small and maybe tinier than its average size, they can be possible.
Orange trees are famous for their charming, aesthetically pleasing canopy and delicious fruits. We will answer all these engaging questions within this article, so dive into this orange discussion to enhance your knowledge even further.
Contents
How Tall Do Orange Trees Become?
An orange tree would grow up to 20 to 32 feet tall. The small or dwarf orange trees usually grow up to 12 feet, If the orange tree is placed in an outdoor setting with plenty of sunlight, soil space, and water supply, it will be able to reach its maximum height.
On another hand, the height of the orange tree depends on its container, area, and care. Meanwhile, dwarf-sized orange trees result from small containers or limited growth space, and it would grow short in its size, just as its name suggests.
– Dwarf Orange Tree
The average height of a dwarf orange tree is between six and 12 feet, this is because orange trees are available in various sizes and forms. You can grow them in your garden, as they will not grow any bigger than 12 feet tall, and this is due to its significant property which is specifically the height of an orange fruit that is a dwarf.
The small-sized citrus trees are usually chosen for indoor decoration purposes. Dwarf-sized citrus fruit trees are popular and well-loved by gardeners for their aesthetics and easy-to-care and grow features.
– Valencia Tree
Valencia orange trees are among the largest orange tree variations, and it is known by its average size, although they can quickly grow to 30 feet tall. Also, their width can be up to 30 feet, when it grows and bushes up its branches.
As a result of the latter, you can’t grow these trees in indoor conditions due to their giant size, which means that they will take a lot of space; even though, they are much larger than the average ones.
– Standard Orange Trees
All standard orange trees will grow 18 to 25 feet tall. For instance, mandarin fruit and blood oranges grow 18 to 25 feet. Which means that, they are primarily suitable for growing outdoors and on rooftop places.
When you plan to enjoy indoor oranges, you may grow them in containers and pots. As a result, it is best if you aim to prune them regularly to limit the growth rate from the standard ones. When you start to eliminate the dead branches of the tree, this is why it would help stay small, and even promote better health for this tree, as the branches would grow further.
– Clementine Orange
Clementine oranges are famous because of their sweetness, and this is the tree that will grow 25 feet tall outdoors. On the other hand when it is placed indoors, it grows six to 10 feet due to regular pruning.
As a result of the latter, with the correct pruning technique, you may grow it indoors or as a standard orange tree outdoors. You will have both options available for your spaces.
These trees usually grow smaller than the Valencia variety. You can expect these trees to grow seven to 15 feet tall and in width. The right height may vary depending on the soil, weather, and care guideline.
You can grow it in your garden with ample sunlight. The sunlight will control its growth and fruit production. Which means that, choose the place for navel oranges carefully, and make sure that it is the right tree for the right growing location and needs.
If you want orange trees to grow indoors, selecting the dwarf ones will be perfect. Thankfully, it’s possible to keep orange trees smaller than their dwarf variation. To keep it small, you need to plant orange trees in a pot or container.
What Are Factors Affecting the Height of Orange Trees?
The factors affecting the height of orange trees would depend on the proper fertilizing needs, and also the growth of it in proper soil requirements, in addition to the right condition of sun, which has to be directly on the plant.
The growth rate of orange and citrus trees depends on their overall sizing. On the other hand, the dwarf oranges will grow smaller than the traditional variations. The growth rate may vary due to its growing medium and the availability of nutrients.
– Proper Fertilizing Needs
As the tree grows and receives proper nutrition, it will produce fruit within three to five years. The fruit takes approximately six to eight months to ripen and is ready for harvesting oranges.
During this time, you must provide it with the right fertilizer. It is essential to maintain fruit production.
– Right Soil Conditions
You should maintain the pH level between 6.00 and 7.00 to help the oranges grow to their full potential, in addition, else the fruits can be smaller. For growing oranges indoors, you must apply the correct pruning technique.
It helps you maintain their smaller size in pots and containers, this is why the container needs to be strong to hold the roots of the orange trees.
– Direct Sun
Orange trees will need at least six hours of proper sunlight to thrive and grow to its maximum height. You need to put the container in places that receive ample sunlight. Otherwise, the orange trees in indoor setups will die slowly.
Also, the lack of adequate sunlight will directly affect the fruit harvest of the oranges. The longer its sunlight exposure is, the better its yielding will be.
– Pruning Needs
When you plan to produce oranges in smaller indoor spaces, you might wonder if it is possible. You can perform proper pruning techniques to keep orange trees small.
To keep orange trees small, you must grow them in smaller pots. It should be five gallons or 19 liters and firmly hold the roots. Hence, the tree won’t grow big as the roots don’t spread too much.
For pruning, select the right time, and then trim it in a proper way, which means, it should be spring or before the cold season. This is the factor that will also help the tree yield more oranges and maintains its smaller size.
As you prune the tree, choose both structural and aesthetical pruning. For the structural pruning, you should cut off the larger branches, as a result you may also want to remove the leaves each season to maintain them in a smaller size.
Conclusion
Orange trees have a medium growth rate and may go up to 32 feet. The distinction between regular and dwarf-size oranges is noteworthy and easily identifiable.
Here’s what we covered:
- Whether it is a regular or dwarf-sized orange tree, its fruit-bearing capacity remains almost identical. However, oranges grown in pots will have fewer fruits.
- You may propagate orange trees through cutting techniques. It will help you get the best quality oranges with a DIY process at home.
- You can keep orange trees small with regular pruning techniques. Also, choose smaller pots to stop the spread of the root and orange tree growth.
This guideline on the average height of the orange tree should feel engaging and informative. So, let’s start planting a beautiful citrus tree indoors as you now know the ways to keep orange trees small in pots.
References
https://www.thespruce.com/orange-tree-growing-guide-6541613
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_(fruit)#:~:text=The%20orange%20tree%20is%20an,long%20and%20have%20crenulate%20margins.
https://www.ehow.com/info_8141448_height-width-orange-tree.html
https://fsi.colostate.edu/oranges/
https://www.thespruce.com/orange-tree-growing-guide-6541613
https://minnetonkaorchards.com/washington-navel-orange-tree/#:~:text=A%20full%2Dsized%20Washington%20navel,three%20and%20six%20feet%20tall
https://minnetonkaorchards.com/orange-tree/#:~:text=How%20long%20can%20an%20orange,orange%20tree%20is%2050%20years
https://farmplasticsupply.com/blog/orange-tree-growing-tips-care-maintenance#:~:text=Orange%20trees%20need%20full%20sun,of%20direct%20sunlight%20each%20day
https://www.thespruce.com/orange-tree-growing-guide-6541613
https://www.thespruce.com/orange-tree-growing-guide-6541613#:~:text=A%20full%20size%20trees%20can,for%20indoor%20gardening%20as%20well.
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/prune-citrus-trees-indoors-keep-small-57615.html
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https://www.thespruce.com/orange-tree-growing-guide-6541613
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