The Ugli fruit, often referred to as the Jamaican tangelo, is a citrus fruit renowned for its distinctive taste and appearance. While it's primarily grown in tropical regions, it can be cultivated in gardens with warm, subtropical climates. Planting an Ugli fruit tree in your garden offers the opportunity to enjoy this unique citrus fruit's sweet yet tangy flavour and intriguing texture.
Planting Calendar
Uglifruit are best planted from March right through until November.
Harvest In
2-3 Years
Uglifruit will be ready to harvest after 2 to 3 years from planting.
Prepare
Position
Uglifruit require a warm, sunny position with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Protect from cold, harsh winds. Make sure there is a good amount of airflow in the area.
Soil
When planted into the ground Uglifruti like a free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together well. When growing in containers, plant into Kings Container mix. This mix contains added water storage crystals and Saturaid, two products that help maintain moisture in the soil.
Pollination
Uglifruit are self fertile so do not need a pollinator.
Plant
Gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the depth and width of the plants root ball. Mix Kings Compost into your existing soil at a 50/50 ratio, add Sheep Pellets and Kings Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertiliser, then mix together. Back fill the hole with this soil, so that when planted the top of the plant’s roots sit level with the surrounding ground. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster. In heavier clay soils, where drainage is likely to be an issue, plant onto a raised mound and sprinkle Gypsum Clay Breaker into the bottom of the hole, this helps slowly condition the soil and help to break down the clay.
Care
Watering
Watering is essential especially in the first year of planting to allow the roots to get well established. Water slowly, allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than just allowing it to run off the top of the surface of the soil, aiming to keep the soil moist during hot periods. Add Saturaid into the soil at planting time, as this helps to channel water down to the roots where it is needed the most.
Feeding
Feed with Kings Citrus & Fruit Tree food in Spring and again every month through to the end of Autumn. Liquid feed every month with Aquaticus Garden Booster, from Spring through to the end of Autumn, this encourages root growth and increases the microbial activity in the soil. Monthly applications of Kings Sheep Pellets will help with soil conditioning and plant health. For plants growing in containers feed with Kings Slow Release Citrus Food and Aquaticus Garden Booster.
Protecting
Protect from Guava Moth throughout the year by placing Guava Moth Traps in the trees to monitor the number of moths present. Place the trap halfway up the tree. One trap will be sufficient for 3-5 trees. Remember to replace the Pheromone every 6 weeks for best results. If there are only small numbers present the trap should be sufficient to control the problem. If you catch more than 12 moths in a 2-week period, spray trees with Native Neem Organic Insecticide.
Mulching
Mulching around plants can help conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weed growth. Mulch around the base of the plants (making sure it is not in direct contact with the trunk or base of the plant) with Living Earth More than Mulch. Replenish mulch each spring.
Spraying
Uglifruit need regular spraying to keep pests and diseases at bay. Spray before and after flowering and up until harvest with GroSafe Free Flo Copper for Fruit and Veggies to keep Citrus Verrucosis under control. Repeat at 3-4 weekly intervals up until harvest. Regular spraying with BioNeem and Mavrik will keep other pest under control.
Pruning
With grafted trees, remember to remove all shoots from below the graft as this growth is from the rootstock, you will be able to tell the difference in the foliage. All other pruning is for shape and should be done after fruiting but before October. If pruning large branches, seal the wound with a pruning paste to prevent borer infection.
General Care
When using sprays, chemicals or fertilisers always read the label and follow the instructions. Apply sprays in the evening to avoid harming beneficial insects.
Beginner Tip
Yellow leaves most often mean that young trees require magnesium or other trace elements. Apply Yates Liquid Trace Element as per the instructions on the packet.
Expert Tip
Citrus are either grafted onto Dwarf root stock (Flying Dragon). If not grafted they are either grown by seed or leaf cuttings. Grafted Varieties are known to be more resilient to disease and grow faster and at maturity are smaller than other types only growing to 2-2.5m
Tip
We suggest removing all fruit in the first year to assist your young tree in establishing a good root and branch structure. Citrus are heavy croppers, often setting more fruit than they can sustain. Early removal of approximately 1/3 of the crop will result in improved fruit quality, and help to prevent biennial bearing (setting fruit only once every two years).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Uglifruit?
An Uglifruit is a citrus fruit hybrid, a cross between a grapefruit, an orange, and a tangerine. It has a rough, wrinkled greenish-yellow skin and a sweet, tangy flavour.
How do I plant Uglifruit trees?
Gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the depth and width of the plants root ball. Mix Kings Compost into your existing soil at a 50/50 ratio, add Sheep Pellets and Kings Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertiliser, then mix together. Back fill the hole with this soil, so that when planted the top of the plant’s roots sit level with the surrounding ground. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster. In heavier clay soils, where drainage is likely to be an issue, plant onto a raised mound and sprinkle Gypsum Clay Breaker into the bottom of the hole, this helps slowly condition the soil and help to break down the clay.
When is the best time to plant Uglifruit trees?
The best time to plant Uglifruit trees is in spring or early autumn. This allows the tree to establish roots before the hotter summer or cooler winter months.
How often should I water my Uglifruit tree?
Watering is essential especially in the first year of planting to allow the roots to get well established. Water slowly, allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than just allowing it to run off the top of the surface of the soil, aiming to keep the soil moist during hot periods. Add Saturaid into the soil at planting time, as this helps to channel water down to the roots where it is needed the most.
How do I prune an Uglifruit tree?
With grafted trees, remember to remove all shoots from below the graft as this growth is from the rootstock, you will be able to tell the difference in the foliage. All other pruning is for shape and should be done after fruiting but before October. If pruning large branches, seal the wound with a pruning paste to prevent borer infection.