La Mirada’s history is primarily associated with the McNally Ranch’s olive production, where it became the largest olive orchard in the world and producing 15% of California’s olive oil supply. Besides olives, the ranch also had two hundred acres of lemon trees, as well as alfalfa, grapefruit, and oranges. The citrus packing plant was located off of Stage Road where the Santa Fe rail line shipped the finest citrus fruit throughout the United States. The entire region was known to have optimal conditions for growing citrus.
In their latest video installment, Roger’s Gardens provides instructions on how to plant, care and maintain citrus trees on a smaller scale – in containers. Container gardening is a great way to make the most of small spaces, and the addition of new breeds of dwarf citrus trees make growing lemons, limes, and oranges much easier, simpler to care for, and so rewarding. A dwarf citrus tree, grown in a container, will also add height, volume, color and a sweet scent to your patio. Why settle for citrus from a grocery store when you can grow your own? Click here to watch this video on growing citrus and other helpful gardening videos on Roger’s Gardens’ website.
Saving La Mirada’s Citrus Trees
The California Department of Food and Agriculture recently detected Huanglongbing (HLB), an incurable plant disease, in the city of Cerritos. This puts La Mirada and 18 other cities under a citrus tree quarantine. HLB is not harmful to humans or animals, but it kills citrus trees. The disease is spread by a pest called the Asian Citrus psyllid and it feeds from the tree. Diseased trees produce bitter, hard, and lopsided fruit which eventually dies. There is no cure for the disease. Once infected, citrus trees must be removed to prevent the disease from spreading in the community. While researchers are looking for a cure to HLB, the best way to protect against the disease is to stop the spread of the pest.
The Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program recommends the following actions during the citrus tree quarantine:
- Do not transport citrus trees out of your local area.
- Only purchase citrus trees from local, reputable nurseries, and never bring citrus trees or plant cuttings into California from other states or countries.
- Cooperate with agriculture officials working throughout the state to stop the pest and disease.
- Inspect citrus trees regularly for signs of the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB.
- Report symptoms by calling 800-491-1899 and requesting a free inspection by trained agriculture officials.
Visit CaliforniaCitrusThreat.org for more information and photos of the pest and disease.
Source: City of La Mirada