The Citrus Trees at Siva Ashram

If we could only choose one type of fruit tree to have in our gardens, citrus trees would most certainly be top contenders for the spot!

Fortunately, we will not need to choose just one and instead have had the opportunity to grow a great variety of citrus trees at Siva Ashram, including: pomelo, Washington, Orlando, Temple and Valencia orange, dancy and common mandarin, grapefruit, citron, rangpur, kumquat, calamansi and a variety of native and more exotic lemons and limes. And you may rest assured that the list will surely continue to grow as we add more and more varieties to the gardens!

These amazing trees can be tricky to keep happy and healthy, and they do require consistent care and attention as they can be quite susceptible to diseases derived from drainage issues and standing water in general. They can also have a bit of difficulty absorbing nutrients from wet soil. That said, with proper care and a good amount of love, they can thrive in tropical weather and keep us company for many years.

Most citrus trees are believed to have their origins in Southeast Asia and have found their way to all corners of the world. The fruits are packed with vitamin C, flavonoids and fiber, and are low on calories. They are known to boost our immune system and to also have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A single medium-sized orange can fulfill the amount of vitamin C we need every day!

In addition to their medicinal and nutritional qualities, these colorful and refreshing citrus fruits are part of our everyday life. Although we may at times associate their scent to cleaning chores and cleaning supplies, but let’s instead shift our focus and picture breakfast with a bright and freshly squeezed orange juice, a nice refreshing cold lime juice on a hot summer day or maybe a freshly baked lemon poppyseed cupcake every now and then. So delicious!

At Siva Ashram, we are delighted to have one of the smallest citrus fruits in the world, kumquat, which is no bigger than the size of a large olive. We do also have some of the most fragrant citrus blooms: the pomelo flowers! The mesmerizing and simply divine scent of pomelo flowers can travel for long distances and is one of the most spectacular aromas you will get a chance to experience in your lifetime.