in small amounts 2–3 times throughout the growing season. Be careful not to over-fertilise trees as dieback has been reported to occur.
Irrigation: Trees should be irrigated to ensure adequate water is available throughout the growing season, especially at flowering and fruit set and during the fruit growth period. Most growers use drip irrigation and allow for 3–5 ML water/ha. Only use good quality irrigation water – be sure to check water pH and salinity levels periodically. Soil moisture monitoring equipment such as tensiometers should be installed in the orchard to help schedule irrigation correctly so as not to under- or over-water trees.
Pruning. Trees respond to regular light pruning. If finger lime trees are heavily pruned they may die, especially older woody trees. Young trees once established should be lightly pruned to encourage an open tree shape with 4–6 main branches. Any vigorous water shoots and rootstock suckers should be removed. As trees mature, light pruning is usually undertaken annually in autumn (after harvest) to re-new fruiting wood and keep trees at a manageable height. Pruning also opens up the tree canopy and improves air circulation and fruit quality by helping to minimise wind rub by the thorny branches which can pierce the fruit. Skirting of the lower branches will keep fruit off the ground and also help with under-tree management operations. Beware of pruning trees in hot weather because sparse foliage on trees may mean that developing fruit are more susceptible to sunburn.Pests, diseases and other disordersThe main pests of commercial finger limes are similar to those affecting other citrus varieties. Pests commonly found causing damage include scale insects, spined citrus bug, bronze orange bug, aphids, mealybugs, caterpillars, snails, katydids and grasshoppers. Some preliminary research work undertaken by Industry & Investment NSW showed that fruit do not appear to be a host for Queensland fruit fly. Rats attracted to birds nesting in trees are also reported to damage fruit. The main disease affecting finger limes is melanose (Diaporthe citri), a fungal disease that causes dark brown to black spots on the foliage, twigs and fruit. Spores of the fungus develop in dead citrus tissue and are released by water and/or rainfall. The fungus affects all citrus varieties and the incidence of melanose usually increases as trees age and the amount of dead wood in the canopy increases. Annual light pruning should aim to remove any dead wood. Experienced finger lime growers recommend not applying any chemical sprays whilst the trees are flowering as the flowers may be damaged. Finger limes also occasionally suffer twig or branch dieback, but no causal organism has yet been identified. Dieback in other citrus varieties can be caused by a range of factors including frost injury, hot dry or very cold winds, or some other factor resulting in the plant being unable to get sufficient water when needed, such as a lack of soil moisture or damage to the root system. In coastal orchards the melanose fungus can exacerbate twig dieback.
in small amounts 2–3 times throughout the growing season. Be careful not to over-fertilise trees as dieback has been reported to occur.Irrigation: Trees should be irrigated to ensure adequate water is available throughout the growing season, especially at flowering and fruit set and during the fruit growth period. Most growers use drip irrigation and allow for 3–5 ML water/ha. Only use good quality irrigation water – be sure to check water pH and salinity levels periodically. Soil moisture monitoring equipment such as tensiometers should be installed in the orchard to help schedule irrigation correctly so as not to under- or over-water trees.Pruning. Trees respond to regular light pruning. If finger lime trees are heavily pruned they may die, especially older woody trees. Young trees once established should be lightly pruned to encourage an open tree shape with 4–6 main branches. Any vigorous water shoots and rootstock suckers should be removed. As trees mature, light pruning is usually undertaken annually in autumn (after harvest) to re-new fruiting wood and keep trees at a manageable height. Pruning also opens up the tree canopy and improves air circulation and fruit quality by helping to minimise wind rub by the thorny branches which can pierce the fruit. Skirting of the lower branches will keep fruit off the ground and also help with under-tree management operations. Beware of pruning trees in hot weather because sparse foliage on trees may mean that developing fruit are more susceptible to sunburn.Pests, diseases and other disordersThe main pests of commercial finger limes are similar to those affecting other citrus varieties. Pests commonly found causing damage include scale insects, spined citrus bug, bronze orange bug, aphids, mealybugs, caterpillars, snails, katydids and grasshoppers. Some preliminary research work undertaken by Industry & Investment NSW showed that fruit do not appear to be a host for Queensland fruit fly. Rats attracted to birds nesting in trees are also reported to damage fruit. The main disease affecting finger limes is melanose (Diaporthe citri), a fungal disease that causes dark brown to black spots on the foliage, twigs and fruit. Spores of the fungus develop in dead citrus tissue and are released by water and/or rainfall. The fungus affects all citrus varieties and the incidence of melanose usually increases as trees age and the amount of dead wood in the canopy increases. Annual light pruning should aim to remove any dead wood. Experienced finger lime growers recommend not applying any chemical sprays whilst the trees are flowering as the flowers may be damaged. Finger limes also occasionally suffer twig or branch dieback, but no causal organism has yet been identified. Dieback in other citrus varieties can be caused by a range of factors including frost injury, hot dry or very cold winds, or some other factor resulting in the plant being unable to get sufficient water when needed, such as a lack of soil moisture or damage to the root system. In coastal orchards the melanose fungus can exacerbate twig dieback.
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