Soils can be well-drained clay loams, loams, sandy loams or fine sands, provided adequate, good quality water is available. Undulating or gentle slopes are preferred - avoid steep slopes. Well-drained flat country is excellent if it can be traversed by machinery during the winter months without bogging. Irrigation Drip irrigation is adequate in the heavy soils, provided there are sufficient drippers to wet about 40 per cent of the root zone. Some of the large plantings in the eastern states are using double lateral drip very successfully, with four drippers per tree.
Micro sprinklers wet a larger surface area than drippers.
Surface applied fertilisers are readily washed in during the growing period and the grass sward is kept alive, which is especially useful in sandy soils subject to wind blasting. Apply all other nutrients to the surface soil at a later date. Nitrogen or potash in the planting hole will burn the roots. Water all trees in with about 5 L of water immediately after planting to wash the soil in amongst the roots and to exclude air. Pest and disease management Citrus are not subject to many insect pests.