| Please provide information about the care of a honeybell tree growing in South FL. What type of care and maintenance is required to produce a good crop? |
| Minneola tangelo is known as the "honey bell" in Florida because of its bell shape and honey-sweet fruit. Extremely juicy, Minneola is excellent for eating, but wear a bib! The skin is an attractive deep reddish orange and is easy to peel. Like most other citrus, honey bells want a well drained soil. They are not very cold hardy, but in your area, that should not be a problem. Fertilize them using a product with a 3-1-2 ratio of nutrients at a rate of 1 pound per inch of trunk diameter in late winter, late spring, and mid summer. Magnesium supplements may also be needed depending on your soil. Potassium magnesium sulfate is a good source of magnesium. Watch for pests such as whitefly and scale insects. Several products are available for control of these pests should they infest your tree. Thanks for the question! |
