In Ground Irrigation Schedule in the Arizona Desert?

9 years ago

Hi All!

Greetings from Tucson again (hope all you in the Midwest made it through the nasty winter back there -- this winter we didn't have to put up the frost cloth). I am wondering how much those of you in the desert irrigate your trees. I just got our first water summer water bill and am looking to make sure I am getting the max benefit for the trees for what we are paying for water.

As you might remember, my trees are now about 4 years in the ground and have trunks about 4" in diameter and are from 5 to 8 feet high (pictures available). Trees are protected on the east side of our house, so they have morning sun and a bit of late afternoon sun (and the wind is generally from the west so they don't get wind blown too much except when it is from the east). Drainage is excellent (perhaps too good...).

Each of them has 4 1 gph (sorry not gpm) drip emitters below ground. Am currently irrigating once deeply (3 hours) and once lightly (1.5 hours). The reason for the light irrigation is due to the coming hot temps (over 90, today it is 102) and I thought it would help them and assist in protecting against fruit drop. So my question is -- should I increase the second watering to 3 hours or should I cut the "deep" watering to a shorter time and increase the number of days of irrigation?

Right now the trees look good, but the temps have been rather moderate (mid to high 80s). Now with the summer heat coming (80s are a thing of the past until October...) and the fact that they are now maturing, I am curious as to what the best irrigation schedule would be.

I've tried talking to the County Ag agent and that was useless -- they admitted they didn't know anything about citrus ;-(...

Thanks in advance for your input!

Peter

This post was edited by pgde on Wed, May 28, 14 at 11:41

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Comments (3)

johnmerr
9 years ago
Well, the next time you pass by a citrus grove, stop and ask them; farmers are usually willing to share what they know. Aside from that, in a "normal" climate a mature producing Meyer (don't know about the others, as most people here know I am a one trick pony) needs 5 liters of water per day per tree. I would guess, that, even with your high evapotranspiration rate, with those size emitters you are probably overwatering at 3 hours. I would try 1 hour 3 times per week and watch your trees for signs of wilt (leaf curl is the best indicator. A little wilt is not a bad thing; it is what most commercial growers use as a gauge for when to water; of course the best growers have tensiometers in the soil that tell the computers when to turn on the water. If you do start getting wilt, you can either increase the time a bit or add another day.
pgde
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi John!
I'm embarrassed to say that I made a major typo in the above -- the emitters are GPH _not_ GPM.

But that info you provided about liters per tree is great. So that would be 1.3 gallons.

I don't know if my typo would change your timing recommendations.

I do have a Meyer Lemon (only 4,999 more to go to reach your level :-)).

Hope your market is booming!

P.
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johnmerr
9 years ago
My recommendations are just an idea. I would still ask a citrus grower, if you have some in your area; and I would still use the "wilt method" for a guide. BTW you have a little more than 21,000 to go, if you want to reach my level of Meyers.

John