
Clementine trees need consistently moist soil—but never soggy. For the first year after planting, water every two to three days. Water whenever the top two inches of the soil feel dry, which typically means weekly waterings. If your clementine tree is in a container, remember to empty the water tray regularly to ensure proper drainage.
Full Answer
How do you take care of a clementine tree?
If you live where it doesn't get below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, care for the clementine tree in a pot until it grows to 3 feet tall, then transplant it outside. Water the soil when it is dry down to a depth of 2 inches. Dampen enough to moisten the soil without over watering.
How often should you water a pine tree?
Except for newly planted ones, pine trees don’t need frequent watering. Mature pine trees need watering once a week to look healthy and green. But on dry days, regular watering is needed to avoid drought stress. Newly planted pine trees require water 2 or 3 times a week for the first 2 years. Thus they can settle their roots firmly.
How often do you water a citrus tree?
Too little water and the tree will die. Too much and the tree will die. This can leave even an experienced gardener asking, “How often do I water a citrus tree?” With ground-planted citrus trees, watering should happen about once a week, whether from rainfall or manually.
How do you water a newly planted tree after 2 years?
Watering Instructions for a Tree Planted Within the Last 2 Years 1 Continue watering the tree as above but move the hose further out to encourage root growth. As the tree grows, roots... 2 Dig down about 24 inches to make sure water reaches that depth. If not, water for longer each time. More ...
How to propagate clementine trees?
How long does it take for a clementine tree to grow?
What is the damage of citrus leaf miner?
Why do clementines have seeds?
How to heal a bud?
How to keep citrus trees from overwatering?
Where did the Clementine tree originate?
See 2 more

How big do they grow?
Clementine trees that are not pruned can grow to be 25 feet if planted in the ground and are typically in the 6-10 foot range in indoor containers.
How long does it take to bear fruit?
Most clementine trees start bearing fruit within two to three years after planting, but some trees will be ready for harvest the first year.
Are they self-pollinating?
Yes. You only need one clementine tree to get an abundant crop of fruit.
How to propagate clementine trees?
To keep the clementine variety from being lost after multiple cross-pollinations, these trees are propagated asexually by grafting. The most popular grafting method for young citrus trees is budding. This is when a bud is taken from the scion – in this case, a clementine tree – and grafted onto the rootstock.
How long does it take for a clementine tree to grow?
Clementine seeds germinate in 2-4 weeks but take 2-3 years to grow into mature trees. Don’t transplant your seedling until it has some strong roots and is actively growing. Over time, you’ll need to repot it every 2-3 years, changing out the soil completely, to keep it well-fed.
What is the damage of citrus leaf miner?
A pretty interesting insect, the citrus leaf miner literally mines tunnels through young leaves. The winding pathways are visible from the outside of the leaf and will eventually cause it to curl. This is very damaging to young trees but doesn’t affect the yield of mature ones. However, the damage may invite bacteria and infections. If only a few leaves are affected, remove them from the tree and burn them. Large populations can be prevented by periodically spraying new growth with neem oil.
Why do clementines have seeds?
If you do come across a clementine with seeds, that means some brave little bee managed to cross-pollinate it. The plant that grows from that seed may vary from the original tree because it contains DNA from a different tree. To keep the clementine variety from being lost after multiple cross-pollinations, these trees are propagated asexually by grafting.
How to heal a bud?
Use grafting tape or something similar to wrap the graft. Now you leave the bud alone to heal. When it’s securely connected to the trunk, remove the tape (unless it was biodegradable). Chop off the rootstock right above the bud so the tree will direct its energy into the bud’s growth.
How to keep citrus trees from overwatering?
To prevent overwatering, keep an eye on the soil drainage and don’t forget to empty the water tray for container-grown trees. These are tropical trees, so they can tolerate high humidity. If you’re growing it indoors, keep the citrus tree away from heaters that can dry it out.
Where did the Clementine tree originate?
About The Clementine Tree. Clementines are cultivated hybrids that don’t grow on their own in nature. They’re believed to have originated in Southeast Asia, where they’re still widely produced. These trees are well-suited for the tropics, subtropics, and the Mediterranean.
Does a clementine have seeds?
Clementines are not truly seedless. Grower intervention helps to create seedless clementine varieties. Many times, clementines are seedless when growers intentionally cross-pollinate with another tree species and prevent natural pollination by the bees. When pollination does occur, or if clementine trees grow autonomously, the presence of seeds may become more prevalent.
Is a clementine the same as a mandarin?
Clementines are a type of mandarin but not all mandarins are clementines. Three different types of clementines exist — “seedless clementines,” clementines (with at most 10 seeds), and Monreal (with more than 10 seeds).
How to know when to water trees?
So, how can you determine when your trees need to be watered? By checking the soil. The ground should be moist, but it shouldn’t be soggy. If the ground is super-dry and rain isn’t in the forecast, you’re going to want to water your trees.
Do fruit trees need to be watered?
Plus, if they are fruit trees, they can yield fresh, delicious, and nutritious food. Of course, it goes without saying that you want to ensure that your trees stay in tip-top condition, and in order to do that, you need to make sure you know when to water your trees.
What will happen once I overwater my citrus tree?
If your citrus tree receives too much water, its leaves will become yellow and fall off, and the skin of its fruits may split. If left sitting in water for too long over a long period of time, citrus tree roots will suffocate, and the tree may die.
Why do citrus trees fall off after watering?
If the leaves of your citrus tree are falling off after you water it, this is often because you have allowed the tree to dry out for too long before watering it. Confusingly, citrus trees that are too dry retain their leaves until they are watered again and only lose them after being watered.
Why do citrus trees need less water?
Citrus trees in the ground require slightly less regular watering than citrus trees in pots for the simple reason that there is more soil for them to draw water from.
What happens if a tree is in a pot with no drainage hole?
If your tree is in a pot with no drainage hole, its roots will sit in water for too long and this will likely be fatal for it.
How much water does a tree need?
How much water your tree needs will depend on the size of the pot, the size of the tree, the time of year, and whether the pot is being kept indoors or outdoors.
Why are citrus trees so popular?
Citrus trees are a favorite among gardeners because of their dark green foliage and bright, delicious fruit. There are many varieties of citrus, with the fruit of all different colors and sizes.
What happens if you don't water citrus?
If your citrus tree receives too little water, its leaves will curl upwards, become dry and crisp, and fall off. If the citrus tree goes too long without water, it will die.
Why do citrus trees lose their leaves?
If your citrus tree loses all of its leaves due to over or underwatering, do not despair.
Do citrus trees need water?
Image by duh84. While citrus trees have always been popular in areas where they thrive, lately they have also become popular in colder climates. For citrus owners in warm, humid climates, citrus tree watering is not something they often need to think about. In cooler or drier climates, however, watering can be a tricky thing.
How should I water a recently planted a tree?
Planting a tree on your property is an exciting step. You not only get to watch it grow over the years, but soon you’ll be reaping the benefits that trees provide, such as shade in the summer or a windbreak in the winter, decreased stress levels, a higher property value, and more!
What should I do if my tree isn’t new but was planted in the last two years?
Note: If your tree was purchased and planted by Arbor Experts and it did not survive the first year, contact us.
How to keep a tree from growing outward?
Just remember that the roots will continue growing outward so you should widen the circle of mulch each year to keep the roots covered.
What to do after a tree has been planted?
Aside from watering your tree, there are a few other things to do after a tree has been planted. First, ensure that the tree is planted correctly (we share details in this article ). If you can’t see the root flare (the very top of the roots), remove soil from around the trunk until you can.
What is the difference between sandy soil and sandy soil?
In contrast, sandy soil drains very quickly and doesn’t retain moisture. A tree planted in sandy soil will require more frequent and/or longer watering.
What to do if your trees are dry in the fall?
If the dry spell occurs in autumn, ensure that your trees (even your mature trees!) have enough moisture to sustain them through the winter months. This may mean increasing the frequency of watering to prevent stress caused by lack of water.
How long does it take for a tree to survive after planting?
Here’s what you need to know: if your tree survives the first two years after being planted, it has a better chance of thriving over the long term. That means a newly-planted tree needs a little extra TLC during the first few years, which mostly involves watering, mulching, and keeping an eye out for any issues.
How long does it take for a tree to get water?
After half an hour, move it a couple of feet around the trunk. Keep moving the hose from place to place until it has dribbled for an hour, or even two hours for a large tree. The larger the tree, the more time it will take to give it enough water, and the more you will have to move the hose to get the water to a wide area of the roots.
How to get water out of a tree?
Soaker hose: Another option is to use a porous soaker hose, which will allow water to slowly ooze out of its entire length. Lay the hose on the soil around the tree. Turn the water on just enough so you see beads of water on the surface of the hose. Let it go for an hour or more.
How to water a tree that is too far from the hose?
Bucket: If a tree is too far from the hose, you can use a bucket. Pour the water slowly on the area all around the trunk. For a young tree, try to deliver at least 10 gallons every time you water. Mulch will help hold the moisture in the soil.
How long do trees live?
Healthy trees will live for decades or centuries but many need a little help from you along the way to make sure they thrive.
Does rain water trees?
Many homeowners assume rain will provide enough water for trees. But your watering will make a huge difference in the health and survival of trees when they’re young or when the weather is dry.
Do mature trees need water?
On a mature tree, roots extend far in all directions, but it’s sufficient to concentrate on watering the area beneath the branches. Newly planted trees and young trees haven’t yet grown a large network of roots. That’s why they can’t store much water and need to be watered often.
How do I know if my pine tree needs water?
But what if you’re guessing it wrong? To know if your pine tree needs water, you have to observe a few signs thrown by the tree as well as test the soil.
How often do I need to water my pine trees? How long can a pine tree go without water?
Except for newly planted ones, pine trees don’t need frequent watering. Mature pine trees need watering once a week to look healthy and green. But on dry days, regular watering is needed to avoid drought stress.
How to water a pine tree?
If you have a pine tree, then you must learn how to take care of it properly. So that it grows healthy and lives long. However, how healthy and green a pine tree can look depends much on how it’s been being watered.
How to propagate clementine trees?
To keep the clementine variety from being lost after multiple cross-pollinations, these trees are propagated asexually by grafting. The most popular grafting method for young citrus trees is budding. This is when a bud is taken from the scion – in this case, a clementine tree – and grafted onto the rootstock.
How long does it take for a clementine tree to grow?
Clementine seeds germinate in 2-4 weeks but take 2-3 years to grow into mature trees. Don’t transplant your seedling until it has some strong roots and is actively growing. Over time, you’ll need to repot it every 2-3 years, changing out the soil completely, to keep it well-fed.
What is the damage of citrus leaf miner?
A pretty interesting insect, the citrus leaf miner literally mines tunnels through young leaves. The winding pathways are visible from the outside of the leaf and will eventually cause it to curl. This is very damaging to young trees but doesn’t affect the yield of mature ones. However, the damage may invite bacteria and infections. If only a few leaves are affected, remove them from the tree and burn them. Large populations can be prevented by periodically spraying new growth with neem oil.
Why do clementines have seeds?
If you do come across a clementine with seeds, that means some brave little bee managed to cross-pollinate it. The plant that grows from that seed may vary from the original tree because it contains DNA from a different tree. To keep the clementine variety from being lost after multiple cross-pollinations, these trees are propagated asexually by grafting.
How to heal a bud?
Use grafting tape or something similar to wrap the graft. Now you leave the bud alone to heal. When it’s securely connected to the trunk, remove the tape (unless it was biodegradable). Chop off the rootstock right above the bud so the tree will direct its energy into the bud’s growth.
How to keep citrus trees from overwatering?
To prevent overwatering, keep an eye on the soil drainage and don’t forget to empty the water tray for container-grown trees. These are tropical trees, so they can tolerate high humidity. If you’re growing it indoors, keep the citrus tree away from heaters that can dry it out.
Where did the Clementine tree originate?
About The Clementine Tree. Clementines are cultivated hybrids that don’t grow on their own in nature. They’re believed to have originated in Southeast Asia, where they’re still widely produced. These trees are well-suited for the tropics, subtropics, and the Mediterranean.

About The Clementine Tree
Planting Clementines
- Whether by seed or start, plant your clementine tree in the spring or fall. If your growing zone allows it to stay outdoors, choose a location with plenty of sun and space. Keep the thorns in mind since you probably don’t want them snagging you each time you walk through the garden. Give yourself plenty of space for easy maneuvering. Check the soil drainage and fertility, adding …
Care
- The care requirements for clementine oranges are about the same as other citrus trees. If you can master this tree, just think how many other citrus fruit you could grow!
Harvesting and Storing Clementines
- You’ve planted your tree, fertilized it, and cared for it like a child. Now, the tree’s ready to give something back!
Troubleshooting
- Lucky for us gardeners, clementine trees don’t have any serious problems. However, you still need to be vigilant at watching for symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Can you grow a clementine tree indoors? A: Yes! As long as you have a sunny window, these trees make excellent houseplants. You can even find dwarf varieties that are well-suited for indoor growth. Q: How long does it take a clementine tree to produce fruit? A: They usually start producing at 2-3 years old. Q: Do mandarins grow in the United States? A: Yes, a large variety of …