Citrus
Technical data
| pH range | 6.0–7.0 (typical for citrus) |
|---|---|
| In-row spacing | 400–600 cm |
| Row spacing | 500–700 cm |
| Harvest frequency | Grafted trees begin cropping about 2–3 years after planting; the main NT harvest runs mid-February to the end of April. |
| Expected yield | Builds up over several years as the tree matures; varies by type and variety. |
| Key nutrients | Nitrogen and potassium; plus zinc, manganese and magnesium — the classic citrus trace-element gaps. |
| Common deficiencies | Zinc (very common — small mottled 'little leaf'), manganese, magnesium; iron on alkaline soils. |
| Chemical-finder crop slug | citrus |
| Data confidence | medium |
| Review status | needs review |
| Last researched | 8 Jul 2026 |
| Next review due | 4 Jan 2027 |
Nutrient targets
No NT-specific fertigation target sheet fetched — build the program from soil and leaf tissue tests as NSW DPI recommends, monitoring N, P, K, Mg, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu. Flagged for review.
Growth stages
| Stage | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment | Year 1 | Young tree building roots and canopy; protect drainage, feed lightly. |
| Young tree | Years 1–2 | Grow the framework; foliar trace elements on spring flush. |
| First cropping | Years 2–3 | First useful fruit; keep up nitrogen/potassium and pest watch. |
| Harvest (NT) | Feb–Apr | Main Darwin/Katherine fruiting window. |
Spacing and plant numbers
Plant spacing: 400–600 cm Row spacing: 500–700 cm
At 500 cm spacing that is about 20 plants per 100 m row.
Plant count calculator
Task calendar Sample — no tasks are created until you confirm a trial plan
| When | Task | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 14 days before planting | Site & drainage preparation | Pick a free-draining spot; mound and dig drains if heavy soil. |
| 3 days before planting | Irrigation setup | Under-tree drip/micro-sprinkler; keep water off the trunk. |
| Planting day | Planting | Graft union well above soil; do not mulch against the trunk. |
| 14 days after planting | First fertigation | Light nitrogen; base the full program on soil/leaf tests. |
| 30 days after planting | Scouting | Aphids and leafminer on new growth. |
| 60 days after planting | Spring-flush foliar trace elements | Zinc (+ manganese) when new leaves ~2/3 grown; Mg spray Oct–Nov. |
| 90 days after planting | Pest & disease monitoring | Scale/sooty mould; check drainage after rain. |
| 180 days after planting | Review tree health | Leaf colour, growth, drainage; leaf test if unsure. |
Labour notes
Lower day-to-day labour than a row crop once established, but it is a multi-year investment before real returns. Pruning, trace-element sprays and pest monitoring are the ongoing jobs.
Chemical options (APVMA only)
Live from the APVMA PubCRIS finder — registration, WHP, rate and the source badge come from the finder API at view time, never stored here. Always confirm the current APVMA label before use. Pests/diseases without a finder filter (and biosecurity diseases) are not shown here — check the label or a permit directly.
Citrus × Aphids
Loading…
Citrus × Scale insects
Loading…
Citrus × Mites (oriental / two-spotted)
Loading…
Citrus × Mealybugs
Loading…
Fertiliser options by goal
Shortcuts into your Fertilizer Library. These filter by nutrient or use method — they are not prescriptions, and fertilisers are never pest/disease treatments unless APVMA-registered.
Calcium low
Products containing calcium
Loading…
Potassium low
Products containing potassium
Loading…
Magnesium low
Products containing magnesium
Loading…
Boron low
Products containing boron
Loading…
Manganese low
Products containing manganese
Loading…
Flowering
Boron + phosphorus filters — commonly used around flowering; confirm rates with your agronomist
Loading…
Fruit set
Boron + calcium filters
Loading…
Fruit quality
Potassium + calcium filters
Loading…
Stress recovery
Seaweed/amino biostimulants — check the APVMA-review badge
Loading…
Root growth
Phosphorus + humic filters
Loading…
General fertigation
Fertigation-suitable products
Loading…
Foliar feed
Foliar-suitable products
Loading…
Sources
| Topic | Source | Type | Confidence | Status | Fetched |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NT varieties, climate & harvest season | NT Government — Citrus (fruit crops) | government | medium | needs review (blocked_fetch) | 8 Jul 2026 |
| Nutrition & deficiencies (Zn/Mn/Mg) | NSW DPI — Citrus nutrition factsheets | government | high | verified | 8 Jul 2026 |
| Root & collar rot / drainage | PaDIL/Lucidcentral — Citrus root & collar rot (264); Yates; Better Homes & Gardens AU | university extension | medium | verified | 8 Jul 2026 |
| Pests & diseases | Australian citrus pest/disease extension (NSW DPI pest guide; ABC Organic Gardener; Searles) | university extension | medium | needs review | 8 Jul 2026 |