Citrus Re-Pot Update

16 years ago

Hello Fellow Citrus Adventurers,

Update on re-potting:

#2 Lemon, re-potted May 2nd with 5 parts Miracle-Gro moisture control soil/1 part Perlite/1 part Vermiculite. Fertilized on May 20th with 1/2 cup Palm-Tone for palms & tropical plants + 1/4 cup Ironite. Container is 15 gallon plastic (i get em free from a landscaper friend). Looking great with new leaf growth, healthy small fruit and new blossoms. It is still in a spot that is lightly shaded for part of the day w some afternoon sun.

{{gwi:585072}}

#4 Lemon (i believe the original one) repotted May 8th into 56 Qt. plastic container.

Mix ratio: 3 gal Pine Bark

1/2 gal Perlite

1/2 gal sphagnum peat

1/4 cup horticultural lime powder

mixed in 1/4 cup Palm Tone + 1/4 cup Ironite

So far it is looking great. Small fruit looks great and many new blossoms.

#5 Satsuma (from Lowes about 5 yrs ago)repot:

into 15 gal plastic

Mix is the same Pine Bark/Perlite/Sphagnum-Peat/Lime as #4.

This plant was really rootbound in it's clay pot. I cut in and aerated the ball while pruning the root tangle. No large tap root. Currently it is looking fine with partial shade most of the day. This one has never produced fruit, and up until this past winter, had never shown fruit. Had a few blossoms that dropped. Looking forward to watching this one produce like the one I got from my dad many years ago (up for pruning and care next).

My Dwarf Washington Navel Orange is much better since repotting, April 10th in MG w Moisture Control & Perlite. Although one branch is apparently dead there is new leaf growth elsewhere and fruit looks good.

{{gwi:585074}}

Also...yesterday purchased from Lowes a Tango Mandarin in 1 Qt. container (soil & perlite). I will repot in Pine Bark mix today or tomorrow. Probably use 5 gal containe instead of 15 gal...ANY COMMENT ON CONTAINER SIZE???

{{gwi:585076}}

Thanks for all of your comments, information and continued support.

t98

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Comments (3)

meyermike_1micha
16 years ago
Hi Tim...Nice looking trees and lucky you for being able to get citrus at Lowes!!I only wish we could here..

Just a word of caution and a bit of insight while it is still early in the season..

I would watch that the mixes that you used do not collapse within the next few months...I would also watch for compaction and perched water tables in my containers for when it rains a lot. or before you bring them indoors for the winter season..Right now your conditions are favorable for good growth and at this time of the year, the mix you planted in can be more for giving then in the fall and beyond...lot's of light, sun, fresh air, and maybe a lack of rain..

I especially am concerned with the vermiculite you added, since this encourages soil to stay wet and does break down rather rapidly...

No matter what zone we live in, if you plant in a mix that breaks down rapidly, and has barely any pore spaces for air or root developement, eventually, a plants vitality will start to break down and cause future problems...

Just be aware of how your plants are doing now, which you are, but also of your plants future in this kind of mix..If this is a concern to you for down the road, then you might want to consider transplanting them now into a more durable mix so it is not to late come the fall. Just a bit of insight friend..

Mike:-)
meyermike_1micha
16 years ago
One other thought..

You are aware that the reason why they declined in the first place is because of the mix previously used, that could of been the culprit..It is no wonder they do very well once put into fresh soil, now that the roots have air to breathe until the next collapse of soil again..:-)
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timrod98
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks Mike...ABSOLUTELY!! I am amazed these plants/trees not only survived...but produced fruit all these years. The #2 repotting (Miracle Gro/Vermiculite/Perlite) was, unfortunately, before the Bark Mix. Although it's a large plant in a 15 gal container I may bite the bullet and re-repot today using Bark mix. All after that are the Bark/Sphag-Peat/Perlite mix with Lime and Micros. I may re-repot the Dwarf Wash Navel now (just repotted mid-april) with a soil mix. Although it is coming back it did suffer (full sun way too fast). Bottom line for me..NO MORE SOIL.
I am learning, all the time, about the variety of mix components (crushed granite etc...). Some I have heard of and others NO CLUE. As time goes on I will be trying, as I can find them, the other components mentioned in this forum. For now...BARK BABY BARK !!!!!!!
Regarding Lowes; they had the Tango Mandarin and a Clementine. For no particular reason I chose the Tango. I will check the forum for any insights.
Thanks very much for the continued interest and information.
Have a great and safe Memorial Day .

t98