Citrus growers, I need your input. I have several trees in the ground that are doing fine, they seem to be right on schedule this year. Problem is I also have a small tree in a pot on the deck. It is a Kishu, and has tiny tangerines like Cuties. It is loaded with fruit this year and all of a sudden some are starting to turn color and some are falling off. These fruits normally ripen in late fall for me. What could be causing them to ripen early this year? I am wondering if it is a normal process, perhaps it is thinning the fruit set - something I probably should have done myself months ago? There is no sign of disease or insects, it appears to be very healthy other than the early ripening. Thanks for your thoughts.
alice

Hi Alice, I see you didn't get any response to this question. Anything further to report? Are the fruits still dropping? I know you're busy now, but after the storm goes by, maybe post a picture? Always helpful to get another pair of eyes or two looking at it.

I really don't have an answer and I think your theory of the tree thinning the fruit itself might be the right one.

Only other thought that came to mind is the size of the container - is it big enough? The tree may have put on a lot of root growth before having such a bumper crop of fruit.

Thanks Elaine. Container is an appropriate size and I do refresh the soil every year or so, roots usually look good. There is really nothing to see except the fruit is ripening too early. I don't see any sign of greening. I haven't seen any more fruit drop. It is too large/heavy to bring it inside so all I can do with it is secure it in a corner of the deck and hope it is still here after this storm passes.

I should be out moving pots but it is easier to procrastinate here.

Do you see anything off about this tree? Fruit usually turns between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

What a beauty. Nothing wrong with that baby except maybe too much fruit. This might be a good time to thin the crop a bit more, in advance of the storm though. If that tree is out in hurricane force winds, all the fruit will be gone anyway. With all that weighty (for its size) fruit the branches could break if they're whipping in the wind.

Heartbreaking to take off fruit, though I know.

Just to make you feel better, I"m indoors procrastinating too. All those pots out there are looking at me through the window screaming "move me"! I had a colonoscopy this morning, so was up all night drinking water and the ghastly prep stuff, so I just can't get myself moving today. I'm in "manana" mode.

Aww thanks, so sorry you had to go through that with a storm heading your way. Phil and I both have appts in Charleston tomorrow so we will lose a day of prepping. Right now if everything holds they will call for an island evac on Saturday with the region wide on Sunday.