When to Plant Calamondin in Cairns, Tropical Guide
What this month normally looks like in Tropical
In October the Tropical zone normally runs 34°C by day and 23°C overnight, with about 53 mm of rain over 5 or 6 wet days. Averages 1991 to 2026, 37 postcodes, SILO.
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This Calamondin guide is written for the Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Sep to Nov
- Days to harvest
- about 104 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
Calamondin is a compact, bushy citrus that suits pots and small yards, producing small tart orange fruit for marmalade, drinks and cooking. It likes full sun, shelter from frost and wind, and well drained soil.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Tropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep P
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec -
P = Planting window
A warm, frost free climate suits calamondin well, so give it full sun and free draining soil.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Tropical zone right now, Calamondin included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Calamondin in Tropical Australia
- Soil
- Rich, well-draining sandy loam or loamy soil
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun, at least 6 hours of direct sun a day
- Spacing
- 122-250cm apart, 300cm between rows
- Watering
- Water to keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy. Mulch around the tree, keeping the mulch 5 to 10 cm clear of the trunk.
Tropical Growing Tips for Calamondin
Key Challenges
- Queensland Fruit Fly: Destroys ripe fruit
Pro Tips
- Apply balanced organic citrus fertiliser three times a year in spring, summer, and autumn, supplementing with zinc and iron trace elements
- Apply a 5 to 10 cm layer of organic mulch around the dripline, maintaining a 10 cm gap from the trunk to prevent collar rot
- Stake young trees loosely with soft ties to support the main stem until established
Pests and problems for Calamondin in Tropical
Harvesting Calamondin
When ready: Rind turns fully bright orange and yields slightly under gentle thumb pressure
How to harvest: Snip fruit stem close to the rind using sharp secateurs to prevent tearing the skin
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Calamondin
When do you plant calamondin in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Sep to Nov
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Sep to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Sep to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Sep to Nov
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Sep to Nov
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Calamondin in Cairns?
A warm, frost free climate suits calamondin well, so give it full sun and free draining soil.
How do I know when Calamondin are ready to harvest?
Rind turns fully bright orange and yields slightly under gentle thumb pressure
Are calamondin salt tolerant?
No. Calamondin are salt-sensitive, one of the more sensitive veggies. Use rainwater if your bore water is salty, or grow them in a raised bed of fresh mix if your soil is.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.