There's something about homegrown citrus, they're so juicy, full of flavour, and free.
Growing citrus trees in pots is an easy way to start, whether you're renting or looking to add some colour to a courtyard or balcony.
If you're new to the citrus-growing world, you are probably lovingly watering and feeding your tree in anticipation of your first harvest.
But how long does a potted citrus take to fruit? And what can you do to speed up the process?
Citruses need time to mature
Citrus is the best and easiest fruit tree to grow in a pot, according to long-time grower Tom Esler.
The fruit tree farmer from Goomboorian/Kabi Kabi lands in Queensland has been selling potted citrus, and passing on his knowledge to eager home gardeners, for the best part of 20 years.
"They can be very productive given the right care," he says.
"For example, the right potting mix, the right size pot, the right aspect for sun … and making sure the plants get enough water."
He says all citrus varieties will do well in pots; lemons, limes, cumquats, mandarins and oranges, even finger limes, which are Australia's native citrus.
Brisbane-based horticulturalist Annette McFarlane agrees but she recommends checking what varieties might be suitable for your climate, as citrus don't like frosts or snow in cool areas.
She says if you feed and water the plant regularly, you can generally expect to have your first harvest within three years.
"In the first year your citrus is a child, in the second year it's a teenager, and in the third year it's an adult," she says.
She recommends removing the first fruit you see, typically in the first year, so the tree can focus on maturing.
"It's very hard for people, particularly new gardeners, they get so excited when they see some fruit and they can't bear to cut them off."
"If you let it fruit too early, it actually delays its overall maturity.
"So it might take you three to five years before you get the maximum crop you can achieve, whereas you could get that in three years if you take off those early fruit."
Do dwarf citrus fruit quicker?
Yes, to some extent, says Ms McFarlane.
"Because it's growing to an overall smaller size, so it does mature a little bit more quickly."
"If you've got something on a dwarfing rootstock or a naturally selected dwarf variety, you might be waiting two to three years (for fruit)."
"Just remember that these citruses, even though they're supposedly dwarf plants, they still potentially get to two meters high."
But it is important to note that dwarf varieties won't supply you the same amount of fruit as a full-sized fruit tree.
They also have a life span between 10-15 years, while standards citrus varieties can live up 30-40 years.
Can you speed the fruiting process up?
Ms McFarlane says the most important thing to ensure your citrus tree grows big and healthy (as quickly as possible), is to remember that they "are really hungry for nutrients".
"Pop it out in a full sun position, that's essential for good growth and fruiting."
"You'll need to water it regularly and feed it often.
"Put in some fertilisers and trace elements."
Essential trace elements include boron, zinc, copper, iron, and manganese.
While a slow-release fertiliser, like poultry manure pellets, should be applied every three months.
But if you feel your citrus is not growing quickly enough, she recommends giving it some liquid nutrients once every four to six weeks.
Be prepared to re-pot your fruit tree to the next size up every 3-4 years.
"My advice is to buy a well grown citrus and put it straight into a larger pot," Ms McFarlane says.
"If you've got a 50-litre pot, you've used compost, your potting mix, and sand, the mix won't slump, and you shouldn't have to go to the need of repotting it regularly."
'Lovely and juicy' fruit
Horticulturalist Cath Manuel from the Sunshine Beach/Kabi Kabi lands recommends pruning your citrus even in dormant periods.
"This keeps the tree healthy and actively producing fruit later on."
"Make sure that the plant is staying hydrated, because you want that fruit to be lovely and juicy."
She also likes to plant some good companion plants in the same pot, which helps to repel pests.
"It's really important to keep on top of that, to make sure that your plants are healthy and you're getting all the fruit from the citrus trees that you want.
"I'd say definitely do some marigolds and nasturtiums, anything like a little ground cover around it to protect the roots as well.
"Alyssum is a beautiful, little annual flower, it's very good to attract the beneficial insects."
