Q&A: Potted Orange Tree Sheds Fruit

Find out why the fruit may be falling off early.

Q: I have a potted orange tree that blooms profusely and sets fruit readily, but the fruit falls off when still quite small. Why? The plant summers outside and is in a sunroom during fall and winter.
— L.M., Guelph, ON

A: Citrus-fruit drop when the fruits are still small is a natural thinning process. The tree can't supply nutrients and support all the fruit that it can set, so it drops some of it. Citrus trees in an orchard will do the same thing. Be sure to keep your tree regularly watered and fertilized with a nitrogen source. Citrus is a heavy feeder.

— National Gardening Association

Next Up

How to Plant and Grow a Persimmon Tree

Experts share why persimmon trees are good to grow and offer tips on persimmon types and how to care for them.

Grow an Olive Tree

Grow an olive tree indoors and let it take summer vacations outdoors. If your climate is warm, you can even plant it in your garden.

Can You Plant Apple Seeds From Store-Bought Apples?

These days, most apple trees aren’t grown from seed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try. If you’ve got gardening ambitions to rival Johnny Appleseed’s, here’s how to go about it.

How to Grow and Care for Calibrachoas

Whether you call them million bells or baby petunias, easy-to-grow calibrachoas may be small, but they pack a big punch of color in the garden.

What Is the Difference Between Potting Soil and Garden Soil?

Potting soil won’t work in your garden, and garden soil won’t work in your pots. Here’s why.

How to Plant and Grow Chinese Evergreen

Caring for Chinese evergreens is easy, and these pretty houseplants brighten rooms with low light, or even no natural light, with their leaves of pink, green, creamy white and red.

The Best Self-Watering Planters for Your Home, Deck or Patio

Take the work and worry out of watering flowers, veggies and herbs when you use a planter that gives plant roots the right amount of moisture.

Growing Pumpkins in Containers

Raise a crop of pumpkins on a deck or patio—with no garden bed in sight. Learn how to grow pumpkins in pots no matter where you live.

How to Plant and Grow Marigold Flowers

Easy-to-grow marigolds add bright yellow, gold, orange and creamy-white color to gardens and containers from spring into fall.

How to Grow and Care for Agapanthus

Learn how to successfully plant, tend and enjoy African lily from garden (or pot) to vase.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Down Home Fab

11am | 10c

Down Home Fab

12pm | 11c

Down Home Fab

1pm | 12c

House Hunters

7:30pm | 6:30c
On Tonight
On Tonight
8pm | 7c
8:31pm | 7:31c

House Hunters

11pm | 10c

House Hunters

11:30pm | 10:30c

Down Home Fab

12am | 11c

House Hunters

2:30am | 1:30c
3am | 2c
3:31am | 2:31c

House Hunters

4:30am | 3:30c

House Hunters

5:30am | 4:30c

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.