Q. After 6
years, I am finally getting oranges. They are turning orange and I have
been told not to pick them until mid January. Is this right or can I pick them
now (mid-December)?
A. Different
varieties ripen at different times. I would sample one now and if it tastes
good to you then harvest the others at the same maturity. If it is not yet to
your liking then wait a bit but if temperatures drop to the mid-20’s then the
fruit might freeze. In the Las Vegas area we get our coldest weather NORMALLY from mid-December to the end of January.
Play it by
ear a bit right now but normally they would be ready right about now. You do
not want to wait too long because fruit remaining on the tree can interfere
with new flower production.I copied and pasted this citrus calendar from the University of Arizona pdf document you can download from HERE. These are the approximate harvest dates (this is for Maricopa County, aka Phoenix area). We are a bit colder so harvest times can be a bit later. However for areas like Laughlin and Bullhead City they would be on the mark.
Note: I am recommending citrus in the Las Vegas area in only warm microclimates or protected from winter cold and winds.
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