The NAVAL ORANGE TREES AND MY SOUL

Good day family, friends, and colleagues. Thanks for your comments to us at GARDEN MINISTRY. They are encouraging. To God be the glory. 

I am not too sure if you knew. Serving Bermuda from the office of the chaplaincy. I am at the Grace Methodist Church on Northshore Pembroke Bermuda, helping them due to their pastor being called back to the AME church by its bishop since November of last year. 

I will keep you updated on the way the LORD is leading in my life. So come on by and join us in worship. I am there on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of every mouth. You can also find me there during my lunch break on Tuesday afternoons from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm as I lead out in a half-hour prayer meeting and a half-hour Bible study. 

Today, I would love to answer one of our readers' questions on why naval orange tree drop it's fruit?

Look at the picture. It shows my naval orange tree dropping all its fruit. Because I was not watching the signs of a tree in need of help.

For starters, there could be a number of reasons why naval orange tree dropping all its fruit. But the number one reason I find is lack of water. Now let us look at some comprehensive reasons. 

When a navel orange tree continues to drop its fruit, it's likely experiencing issues with its ability to support the fruit load, either due to insufficient resources or a physiological problem. 

This could be a natural thinning process in young trees, a sign of overbearing, or a problem with nutrient or water balance. 

To help the tree, you might consider thinning the fruit or removing some fruits while they are still small to reduce the load on the tree and improve the quality of the remaining fruit.

Along with ensuring proper watering at times of dryness, there is a need to fertilize the tree with proper Citrus fertilizer.

Let us look at the possible, causes, and solutions.

It is natural for overbearing young trees to often drop fruit as they can't sustain a large crop. Again, this is a normal part of the tree's development, allowing it to focus on root growth and overall good health of the tree. 

Can thinning the fruit help manage this problem? 

Sometimes, it can help, but at times, the tree needs a little more help. At times, nutrient deficiency is a problem. 

Remember, citrus trees need a balanced diet like humans. A lack of essential nutrients, like nitrogen or micronutrients, can lead to fruit drop. Fertilizing with a balanced citrus fertilizer, especially during the growing season, can help address this. With this step, follow the clear directions of the fertilizer.  

Let us look at water and stress of the fruit tree. 

For many fruit trees, the number one problem of naval orange tree dropping fruit

 at a time of low rain in Bermuda is water. Bermudian's like many around the world give too much water or too little water to their fruit trees. This can cause a fruit drop. 

To help in this area, ensure the tree is watered adequately, especially during periods of fruit development, and consider mulching to help retain moisture. 

Note, in growing fruits and vegetables, there is a physiological issues that occurs at time. Its called, sudden temperature or humidity changes. With fruit tree and vegetables, at times there is a hormonal imbalances, or lack of soil moisture. This can can contribute to fruit drop or loss of fruit and vegetables. 

Then, with everything fighting for water, pest or disease comes. In some cases, fruit drop can be due to fungal infections or pests. 

To help this problem, go outside early mornings or evenings and inspect the fruit tree for any signs of problems and take appropriate action if necessary. 

Lastly, let us look at feeding the fruit tree. 

Use a balanced Fertilizer always on the trees: Use a citrus-specific fertilizer formulated for fruiting trees. For supplemental feeding, consider supplementing with Epsom salts for magnesium, chelated iron and zinc, or fish fertilizer to address specific nutrient deficiencies. Use a slow-Release Fertilizer. This will provide a consistent supply of nutrients over time, with the mulching of the fruit trees. Mulch around the tree and vegetables will conserve moisture and suppress weeds. 

Only if needed, thinning the fruit tree would not just keep the tree alive, but will ensure that you have fruit this season. If you are experiencing excessive fruit drop, especially in young trees, thinning can help. Thinning is best done early in the season, before the fruits start to develop too much. Leave a few inches of space between the remaining fruits to ensure they have room to grow.

The same attention given to a naval tree should be given to our spiritual growth.  

"The importance of nurturing both physical and spiritual growth, suggesting that the same diligent attention given to the care and development of a tree should be applied to fostering our spiritual well-being. This implies that like a tree needs watering, sunlight, and protection to flourish, our spiritual lives also require consistent nurturing and care."

The lesson of the spiritual growth refers to the process of developing one's moral, emotional, and intellectual understanding of the world and one's place in it, often within a religious or philosophical framework. 

"The statement suggests that spiritual growth, like the growth of a naval tree, requires consistent attention, care, and resources to flourish. Just as a naval tree needs to be protected, watered, and nurtured to thrive, our spiritual lives need to be cultivated through prayer, Bible, reflection, and serving the community through acts of kindness. 

2 Peter 1, emphasizes the importance of all of us growing in grace and knowledge and of making our calling and election sure. Because the promise of partaking of the divine nature, is available to those who diligently seek to add to their faith and take heed to the "more sure word of prophecy" as a light in a dark place, until the day dawns. 

May God bless the fruit of your ground and soul. Blessings, Blessings, Blessings. 

By GARDEN MINISTRY