Description
The Nova Naartjie tend to have a thinner, tighter peel, so they are a little trickier to open than varieties with a loose skin. But, it’s well worth the extra effort for the delicious treat inside.
Like other naartjies, they offer vitamin C, fibre, and flavonoids. This means that they help with efficient digestion, reduce inflammation, and help to prevent cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and neurological diseases.
Position:
Dwarf Nova naartjie trees do well in cooler conditions and suffer in hot, humid climates. They do not like to be planted in areas with heavy frost.
They thrive in full sun.
Size:
This tree reaches a mature height of about 1.5m to 2m, and needs to be planted about 3 metres away from other trees.
It grows well in a pot of minimum 50x50x50cm with good drainage.
Soil Type:
Because citrus trees’ roots require more oxygen than other trees, it’s important to plant them in well-draining soil that stays moist, but does not become waterlogged.
A pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 is ideal. Add one bag of acid compost to your soil.
Mulch:
To retain the moisture in the soil, use organic mulch around the tree, extending it as far as the roots go. Our pine bark mulch is perfect for citrus trees. Just be careful not to put it around the tree trunk itself, as this will cause water to accumulate there, and the tree may soon rot.
Watering:
Water this tree once every 10 to 14 days in summer, and every 2 to 3 weeks in winter for about 45 minutes if the top 2.5 to 5 centimetres of the soil is dry. Generally, they thrive when they are flooded with water and then allowed to dry out completely before the next watering.
Never overwater your nova naartjies.
Fertilising:
Feed these trees in March, July and December with a well-balanced fertiliser (8:1:6 is ideal) Our slow-release Berry/All-plant Fertiliseris very high in nitrogen and has all the nutrients your citrus requires. For young trees, one teaspoon every 4-5 months is sufficient, and you can never over fertilise as the roots will absorb what they require.
Harvesting:
Pick your gorgeous, sweet naartjies in May and June, when their skins are orange with no green on them.
Pruning:
As with all citrus trees, the dwarf nova naartjie can be left to grow without much pruning. If branches are diseased or dead or ones that get in the way of a pathway, those can be cut away, and ensure proper circulation by cutting out criss branches in the centre of the tree.
Pest and Disease Management:
It is important to watch out for pests like aphids, scale insects, and mites. Remove leaves that are bubbly and dispose of them immediately.
We recommend our Effective Microorganisms (EM Control) to prevent the spread of these pests and diseases. Hose the tree first, to remove the aphids, when dry and then spray well with EM Control. As they tree grows larger it will be healthy and pests will be a thing of the past.
Our Neem Oil is also a good natural insecticide.
