Orange Tree Care

• 1). Plant your orange tree in a subtropical climate, which generally means Florida or Texas. However, it can be any place in the world that stays above 50 degrees and doesn't go over 100 degrees.
  
  
• 2). Place your young orange tree in full sun. Make sure the soil you're planting in doesn't retain water. Stay away from alkaline soil that can potentially kill your orange tree before it has a chance to grow.
  
  
• 3). Apply mulch around your orange tree. Spread it around the tree based on a mathematical equation to help you determine how much in cubic yards. Refer to the Gardenguides.com resource below for more information. Mulch is sold only in cubic yards and helps provide nutrients.
  
  
• 4). Water the tree once every week and a half if you live in a climate that doesn't get tremendous amounts of rain. If you live in Florida, that might not be a problem.
  
  
• 5). Protect your tree from any unusual cold snaps by wrapping plastic around the bottom of the tree's trunk. If your tree is in a pot, transport the tree into an indoor area--preferably a greenhouse--if a long cold wave hits.
  
  

Fertilizer

• 1). Fertilize your orange tree only four to five times during the growth period of the tree. Anything more can potentially inhibit the growth of the tree or can kill it.
  
  
• 2). Check the label of the fertilizer you buy to see how much nitrogen it contains. Give your tree only 1 ½ lbs. of nitrogen in one year of growth. Anything more can choke the tree and potentially cause its death.
  
  
• 3). Apply the fertilizer in pellet, tablet or powder form, but in small doses so the tree gets the perfect balance of nutrients.