Citrus reticulata 'Gold Nugget'
Light: Full sun, ideally 6–8 hours daily; young trees benefit from afternoon shade during Phoenix summers.
Water: Water deeply, wetting soil approximately 2–3 feet deep beneath and beyond the canopy. Let the upper few inches dry before watering again; irrigate more frequently during extreme heat and less often in winter. Keep water away from the trunk.
Soil: Well-drained sandy loam or loam. Avoid poorly drained sites and planting too deeply. Phoenix’s alkaline soils may require citrus fertilizer and targeted micronutrient treatments.
Mature size: Typically 12–15 feet tall and wide; dwarfing rootstocks and pruning can keep trees around 6–10 feet.
Bloom: Fragrant blossoms in late winter to spring, usually February–April in Phoenix. Fruit generally ripens from late winter through spring, depending on conditions.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate.