My key lime seedlings

16 years ago

I have grown these two from a pair of seeds, everything seems fine with them, besides an ugly yelllowish lump on each plant. I want to separate the two ASAP to prevent their roots interlocking, when should I do this, and when should I begin adding fertilizer to them? I used standard miracle gro but will probably get a better suited soil after they grow a bit larger, although I may need some suggestions on good types because I doubt my local southern states carries it (although I can ask if they'll order some?) I also have standard 10-10-10 N-K-P fertilizer, whats a good citrus type for fast growth for the first few years, preferably organic, I don't want to pump it full of artificial stuff

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Comments (6)

redfoxva
Original Author
16 years ago
Sorry, I posted them wrong {{gwi:618704}}

{{gwi:618705}}
ottomike
16 years ago
I've never grown citrus from seedlings but wouldn't think it should be much different from an already aged one. From all the research I've done on this forum, standard potting soil is not the best for use with container citrus. It breaks down quickly and compacts (not leaving much room for aeration) and holds water for a long time (which leads to root rot). There's a current thread going on reading screening that has good info on how to make either the 5-1-1 or gritty mix (both good, well draining mixes).

Foliage Pro fertilizer comes highly recommended on this forum.

Here is a link that might be useful: Screening method thread
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meyermike_1micha
16 years ago
Ottomike,

Well said, well done..;-)

Mike..:-)
redfoxva
Original Author
16 years ago
What about miracle gro palm,cactus and citrus soil? Can anybody recommend that, because I don't have the time to mix soil. So, when should the seedlings be safe to transplant into separate pots with new soil?
jon_z6b
16 years ago
I'm real fond of using a key lime in my sweet tea. It would be neat to have a cold hardy variant (I live in Tennessee) for this purpose.

I found a Poncirus trifoliata naturalized in the woods with hundreds of seedlings all around it. Because of this I was wondering if anyone has attempted a cross between key lime and poncirus?

{{gwi:618706}}

I have some key lime seedlings coming up right now. About half are double zygotic the other half are single/clone. Will there be any difference between the two? Anyone have success growing key limes from seed and had them produce? How long between germination and flowering?

{{gwi:618708}}

As far as separation, I would wait at least nine weeks (I'm sure I will wait longer).

I have a 15yr old citrus grown from seed- but it has never flowered (but it does get stressed every year...) I grew it in WELL composted bat guano (and I don't fertilize it- it's an overgrown citrus bonzai)
{{gwi:618710}}
displacer
16 years ago
Redfox:

If you're in the South (I presume you're in Virginia?) you may be able to get some Barky Beaver potting soil. Their "premium" mix is pretty similar to the 5.1.1 mix, I believe - it's mostly pine bark fines, perlite and sand, with a little peat. The pH out of the bag is pretty favorable for citrus. I don't use it straight but you probably could. A specialty nursery may carry it. The company is based out of TN and they distribute to a number of Southern states.