I have two navel orange trees. One has great fruit, although small, while the other has thick skin and the fruit is dry. They both get the same amount of water and fertilizer. Why is this happening?
Nutrient issue. One plant may simply be taking water/fertilizer in better than the other one. This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/citrus-fruit-thick-rind.htm
I have an dwarf Valencia orange, Meyer lemon, and Key lime being soon shipped to me. I need to know what is the best soil mixture for these. I live in SC, close to the Savannah, GA. border, making me in Zone 9 (I believe).
The most important thing to remember in regards to soil is good drainage. As long as your soil drains well and is reasonbly healthy, your trees should do fine. To improve drainage and soil health, you can amend the soil with compost or other organic matter.
My new house has an orange tree and lemon tree planted about 50' apart. The lemons are great, but the oranges sour :-(! I'm guessing cross pollination, but can I or how do I save the oranges?
It is likely poor soil fertility than cross pollination. Cross pollination would affect the fruit of the tree grown from the seed of the cross pollinated fruit, not the fruit that was growing cross pollinated seeds.
Have your soil tested and adjust for anything that is off balance. Also make sure that your trees are regularly watered as irregular can also sometimes produce sour fruit.
Typically, leaf loss is due to irregular watering. These articles will help with watering and fertilizing your tree: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/tip-on-water-requirements-for-citrus-trees.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/fertilizing-citrus-trees-best-practices-for-citrus-fertilizing.htm
Premature fruit drop is often the result of overbearing (which requires thinning), poor pollination or an insect problem.
This article may help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/citrus-fruit-thick-rind.htm
I am trying to figure out why my orange tree will not produce any fruit, not even a flower. I planted the tree around 4-5 yrs ago, and it doesn't seem to be growing any taller, or producing any blooms for fruit. What do I need to do to help the tree along and maybe get some fruit?
Have you fertilized the tree? It may be lacking some type of nutrient. I would have your soil tested at your local extension office and then add some phosphorous to the soil to encourage blooming.
This article has fertilizing information that should help as well: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/citrus/fertilizing-citrus-trees-best-practices-for-citrus-fertilizing.htm
I planted a seed from an orange and now the plant is a tree of 6 feet tall. Can I plant this outside and leave it for the winter or bring it out just for the summer?
The trees are considered hardy in zones 8-11, though wrapping the tree or providing mulch for additional protection will help during winter if you are in a zone lower than 8, such as zone 7. Also, make sure that it receives plenty of sunlight and is well protected from winds. If it gets lower than 40 degrees F. (actually 50 F. would be pushing it), then you should definitely bring it indoors over winter.