There’s nothing quite like picking ripe fruit straight from the tree. But what makes it even better is when you’ve planed and cared for your own tree. Oranges are among one of the most common citrus fruits grown in backyards across East Coast Australia, and you can get in on the fruitful fun with a tiny tree of your own.
What Is a Mini Fruit Tree?
If you’re wondering, ‘How much space do I need for an orange tree,’ the answer is quite simple: not a lot. You see, when it comes to starting a home garden, you don’t need acres of space, especially when you grow mini fruit trees.
A mini fruit tree or a dwarf fruit tree is, as its name suggests: a small tree. However, while small in stature, the fruit it yields is exactly the same as those grown on its full-sized counterparts.
While they may look odd to gardening greenhorns, there’s absolutely no genetic engineering involved. Making these cute trees only really involves grafting or attaching a scion from the desired tree to the rootstock of another plant.
When fully mature, mini fruit trees stand a mere 3 metres tall. To put this into perspective, a full-sized orange tree can grow 3 metres and taller. So, at half the size but without sacrificing fruit quality, mini orange trees are definitely worth considering planting in your backyard.
How to Plant a Mini Orange Tree
If you want to enjoy fresh oranges throughout the year, the best thing you can do is to plant your own tree. And if you don’t want to climb a ladder to pick the fruit, a mini orange tree or a dwarf orange tree is your best option. So, how do you plant them?
Step 1. Choosing Your Tree and Location
First, you need to choose the right type of mini orange tree. Dwarf varieties are perfect for small spaces or growing in pots. Visit a local nursery and look for healthy trees with bright, vibrant leaves. When picking a location, find a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. Orange trees love light and warmth!
Step 2. Preparing the Pot and Soil
If you’re planting your tree in a pot, choose one that’s large enough to accommodate the tree’s root ball with extra room to grow—about twice the size of the root ball is ideal. Make sure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom to prevent water from sitting, which could cause the roots to rot.
For soil, use a well-draining potting mix. You can buy citrus potting mix from a garden center, which is formulated to provide the right nutrients and drainage for citrus trees. Mix in some compost to give your tree a healthy start (compost is decayed organic material that enriches the soil).
Step 3. Planting the Tree
Now it’s time to plant! Gently remove the tree from its current container, being careful not to damage the roots. Loosen the roots gently with your fingers to encourage them to spread out in their new home. Place the tree in the center of the pot and fill around it with soil, pressing down lightly as you go to eliminate air pockets.
The top of the root ball should be just below the rim of the pot, and the soil level should not cover the trunk. Water the tree well after planting to help settle the soil around the roots and hydrate the tree.
Caring for a Mini Orange Tree
Now that your mini orange tree is firmly in the ground, the next step (or steps, rather) is to care for it. Here’s a quick breakdown of what that process will look like:
1. Watering Your Mini Orange Tree
The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy. Water the tree when the top 5 to 8 centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch. Be consistent with watering, especially in warmer months or if your tree is indoors and in heated air during winter.
2. Feeding Your Tree
Feed your mini orange tree with a citrus-specific fertilizer, which is available at many garden centers. These fertilizers contain the right balance of nutrients that citrus trees need to grow healthy and produce fruit. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer package for how much and how often to apply.
3. Pruning and Maintenance
Pruning is the process of cutting back parts of the tree to improve its shape and increase fruit production. Prune your mini orange tree in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove any branches that are dead, damaged, or crossing each other to allow light and air to reach all parts of the tree.
4. Pest and Disease Control
Orange trees can be susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases. Common pests include aphids, spider mites, and scale insects. Symptoms of pests include a sticky residue or discolored leaves. Diseases like citrus canker and root rot can also be a concern, leaving spots on leaves and deteriorating plant vigor, respectively.
To control these issues, start with preventive measures such as ensuring good air circulation around your tree and avoiding overhead watering, which can spread diseases. If pests are detected, use a mild insecticidal soap or neem oil, which are effective and gentle on the plant. For diseases, remove any affected areas promptly and apply a suitable fungicide if necessary.
Taking immediate action at the first sign of trouble can help keep your mini orange tree remain healthy and productive. Always try to choose organic or environmentally friendly options to protect both your plant and your home environment.
Tips for Harvesting Mini Orange Trees
If everything has gone as planned, then you should expect to harvest your oranges anywhere from May to November, depending on the variety. Here’s what you need to know about harvesting your self-grown oranges.
1. Knowing When to Harvest
The color of the fruit is a good first indicator. Oranges should be fully orange, without any green patches. However, color can sometimes be deceiving, as some oranges might turn orange before they are truly ripe. The best way to tell if oranges are ready is by their firmness and a slight give when gently squeezed. Tasting one can also help you decide if they are sweet enough.
2. How to Pick Oranges
When picking oranges, use gentle hands or a pair of garden clippers. Pulling the fruit forcefully from the tree can damage the branch and the stem attachment, possibly harming your tree’s health and stunting future growth. Instead, hold the orange in your hand, and twist it off gently or cut the stem close to the fruit with clippers.
3. Harvesting All at Once vs. Staggering
You might want to harvest all your oranges at once or pick them as needed. If you use a lot of oranges, picking them all at once might be convenient. However, if you enjoy fresh oranges over a longer period, you can pick them gradually. Mini orange trees usually keep their fruit well on the tree, so you can enjoy fresh oranges over several weeks.
4. Post-Harvest Care
Check the tree for any diseases or pests, and prune any dead or overcrowded branches. This will help the tree maintain good health and prepare it for the next growing season. Watering and fertilizing after the harvest season also support the tree in recovering and setting up for next year’s fruit.
Types of Mini Orange Trees
As far as mini orange trees go, there’s no shortage of varieties. The questions you need to answer are:
What orange variety or varieties do I like?
What mini orange tree grows well in my area?
If you live anywhere on the East Coast of Australia, your choices include the following:
1. Washington Navel
The Washington Navel orange, one of the most popular types grown in Australia, is known for its sweet flavor and seedlessness. It originated in Brazil and prospered after being introduced to Australia, where it thrives in the temperate conditions of the east coast. In Australia, the Washington Navel is a wintertime household fruit bowl staple, renowned for its high vitamin C content and nutritional value.
2. Pineapple Valencia
The Pineapple Valencia orange is celebrated for its rich, sweet flavor. While it’s prized for fresh consumption, its incredible juice content makes it a worthy candidate for freshly squeezed OJ. Harvest is usually done in the spring but extends well into the summer months. Each orange is medium to large in size. The skin is somewhat thin but tough and easy to peel.
3. Newhall Navel
The Newhall Navel is a prominent orange cultivar that’s known for its great quality and adaptability to a variety of conditions. This type, which originated in California, is a mutation of the Washington Navel. In Australia, the Newhall Navel usually begins to mature several weeks before its Washington counterpart. Physically, the Newhall Navel exhibits a bright, deep orange color with a smooth and relatively thick peel that is easy to remove to reveal a seedless and succulently sweet flesh inside.
4. Navelina Orange
The Navelina Orange is a wonderful early-season variety that flourishes in Australia’s citrus-growing areas, known for its early maturity and sweet, tangy flavor. An early form of the navel orange, the Navelina often ripens from late April to May in Australia.  This variety is particularly recognized for its capacity to bear fruit quickly after planting, so it’s an excellent choice for new farmers who want to harvest as soon as possible.
5. Lane Late Navel
Lane Late Navel has grown in popularity in Australia because to its late ripening period and good preservation properties. This variety originated as a mutant of the Washington Navel and extends the navel orange season in Australia well into the winter months. These oranges are distinguished by their vivid orange color and somewhat thicker peel, which contributes to their longer shelf life and transportability. The fruit itself is enormous, with solid, seedless flesh that is both sweet and flavorful.
6. Joppa Sweet
The Joppa Sweet is a type of orange that’s quite popular in Australia, mainly because it can be harvested later in the season (July to August.) This variety originally came from India and is well-loved for its sweet taste and the ability to withstand colder weather. Joppa Sweet oranges are medium-sized and very juicy, so they’re the perfect candidate for eating fresh or juicing. They have a vibrant orange color and a smooth, thin skin that’s fairly easy to peel.
7. Bergamot
The Bergamot orange is a unique citrus fruit that’s not typically eaten fresh but is highly valued for its fragrant peel and the oil derived from it. This oil is famously used in perfumes and to flavor Earl Grey tea. Bergamot oranges grow well in Australia, particularly in regions with mild, Mediterranean-like climates. The fruit itself is relatively small and has a bright yellow or green color depending on ripeness.
8. Blood Orange
The Blood Orange has deep red flesh and a flavor profile that combines orange sweetness with a hint of raspberry tartness. This variety is particularly cherished for its striking appearance and complex taste. Their juice adds a colorful and flavorful twist to beverages, cocktails, and desserts, while you can use the zest to infuse baked goods or homemade beverages with a rich citrus flavor.
9. Nules Clementine
The Nules Clementine is known for its sweet flavor and convenient, easy-to-peel skin. This small, usually seedless fruit is particularly popular in Australia, where it ripens in the heart of winter and offers a juicy, vitamin-packed treat during the colder months. Nules Clementines are celebrated for their consistency in quality and taste, as well as their ability to store well.
10. Calamondin
Calamondin is a small citrus fruit known for its ornamental value and culinary versatility. Often grown in pots, this compact tree produces tiny, tart oranges used primarily in Asian cuisine for flavoring dishes and making marmalades. The fruit’s intense sourness makes it ideal for beverages and marinades, adding a zesty punch.
11. Cara Cara
The Cara Cara orange is a unique navel variety cherished for its striking pinkish-red flesh and a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors with subtle hints of cherry and berry. Originating from Venezuela, this variety has found a favorable growing environment in Australia, particularly flourishing during the cooler winter months. Their low acidity and rich vitamin content make them a nutritious choice, popular in salads, desserts, and juices.
