 Don't get me started on citrus! Anyone who has been so unfortunate to ask me a simple question about citrus knows how I can elaborate. When I worked at Menlo Growers Dwarf Citrus, approximately 40 cultivars were in production. I enjoyed them all, particularly the grapefruit. But, before I get distracted, I should mention that the Western Horticultural Society has arranged a lecture by Don Dillon Jr., the third-generation owner of Four Winds Nursery in Fremont, concerning many of the various cultivars of citrus.
Garden enthusiasts are welcome to attend "All About Dwarf Citrus for the California Garden" on Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) at Loyola School, 770 Berry Ave. in Los Altos. Participants may discuss other horticultural issues afterwards. More information can be obtained by calling Glenda Jones at 650.493.3537. The Garden Art and "Stuff" Sale at the event benefits the school's scholarship fund.
Two other interesting classes by Carol Cox have been arranged by Common Ground Garden Supply and Education Center for Feb. 15. "Saving Your Own Seeds," from 10:30 a.m. to noon, concerns producing, collecting and saving seeds for the preservation of favorite species. "Companion Planting," from 1:30 to 3 p.m., will discuss utilization of the natural characteristics of various species to enhance the health and productivity of the garden, as well as inhibit pathogens.
Admission to both classes is $17, and reservations can be arranged by visiting Common Ground at 559 College Ave. in Palo Alto, by telephoning 650.493.6072 or by visiting www.commongroundinpaloalto.org.
Getting back to citrus (I will be brief): Grapefruit, oranges and lemons are now seasonable. These types of citrus are not as perishable as other types of fruit and may be left on the trees for a considerable amount of time. This facilitates harvesting the fruit because it can be removed from the trees in small groups through the season as it can be consumed. "Eureka" and "Meyer" lemons actually continue producing minor quantities of fruit throughout the year, so a fresh lemon can be found even when lemons are not in season.
Limes that will be seasonable later may not be left on the trees as long because they are used prior to ripening. If left on the tree too long, they ripen and begin to resemble mild lemons. Mandarin oranges and tangerines that are no longer seasonable are more perishable than other kinds of citrus. The rind is not so firmly attached to the fruit, which may consequently become oxidized and insipid, although the fruit may be appealing on the trees.
Tree of the Week: Manzanita
Although most cultivars of manzanita used in the garden are ground cover or low shrubbery, the common manzanita, Arctostaphylos manzanita, may become a small tree with multiple trunks more than 15 feet tall and nearly as wide. Native to California, it prefers infrequent irrigation and may be damaged if soil is too regularly moist. The regular irrigation required by recently installed specimens should therefore be carefully monitored until roots are adequately dispersed. With minimal irrigation, dense alkaline soil of inferior quality is not a problem. Full sun exposure is preferred. Partial shade is tolerated, but growth will be somewhat limber and not as densely foliated.
The pendulous clusters of pale pink or white urn-shaped flowers are not impressive, but they are interesting. Bloom is usually after January and may be as late as April. The subsequent reddish fruit is inconspicuous but attractive to birds. Manzanitas are appreciated mostly because of the deep brownish red and remarkably smooth bark among the gnarly limb structure.
Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be
contacted at 408-358-2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.
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Photograph by Shari Kaplan