Hello, new container citrus addict here :)

11 years ago

Hello,

When I usually post on Garden Web, it's in the Antique Rose forum, but here I am in Citrus. I think I'm now a "growing-warm-climate-trees-in-containers" addict now. :)

My gateway tree was a bay laurel I bought as a little foot tall twig. It's now 5ft tall. I have a 2 ft tall avocado tree started from a pit, a 7ft tall olive tree.

My first two citrus trees were bought on a lark 2 years ago, a Washington navel orange and Meyer lemon (doesn't say Improved). I also have to mandarins started from Cutie seeds. I just recently got a Bearrs lime.

I've been soaking up all the knowledge I can from the forum, and I've decided the 5-1-1 mix is the way to go for me. I also realized I'm an over potter :) My orange and lemon trees have been in the same pots since I got them, with the original soil. The only fertilizer I've gave them is the Osmocote time-release.

The trees have been growing steadily and my lemon tree has about 10 lemons. The orange tree blossomed, but only got two oranges that didn't make it past nickel size, but it's still growing. They're planted in the MG Organic Choice potting soil, and after reading about compaction, I took a closer look and the soil level had definitely come down from the rim of the pot. I decided to check the roots and carefully lifted up on the trunk...the whole think came out of the pot on both trees...they were/are very rootbound with a dense web of healthy white roots, no rot.

If I had the money right now, I would go out and buy even bigger pots and the supplies to make a bunch of the 5-1-1 mix, but it will have to wait until the Spring, getting too cold around here to repot. As hopefully an interim solution, I gently lifted the trees out of the pot, put a couple of inches of new soil, with some orchid bark and perlite mixed in, on the bottom of the pot, teased apart the roots a little, then set back in. The resulting gap around the sides was also filled in.

Hopefully this will enough of a band-aid until Spring when I'll remove as much of the old soil as possible and put them into their new home.

Sorry about the long post! Here's some pictures of my trees.

Orange, new baby lime, and lemon.

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and another view.

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My olive and bay trees.

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My first lemon, geeking out about it.

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One of the clementines started from seed.

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Comments (7)

johnmerr
11 years ago
Welcome to the vast and growing family of Meyer lemon growers; I am a longtime fan of Meyers. BTW if you have a Meyer it IS and Improved Meyer Lemon... simple answer, long story. Do your plant a favor and harvest that yellow lemon; it will not get better, maybe a little darker yellow, but not better; and that limb will have a chance to spring back up and produce more growth.
Assuming you will move your Meyer inside soon, you should begin now to move it from full sun to partial sun; after 2 weeks, move it to full shade; and in another 2 weeks you can move it indoors. Reverse this procedure in the Spring and you will avoid the heartbreaking leaf drop that so many experience. I would also give your Meyer a little shot of fertilizer now... the last until you move it out again in the Spring. Sorry, can't help with the other plants, I am a Specialist... that is, someone who knows more and more about fewer and fewer things, until they ultimately arrive at knowing everything ... about nothing.
cincy_city_garden
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks John, I will follow your advice about acclimating it to the lower light, and the fertilizing. I've read on the forum that the Meyers are sensitive to drastic light changes. I'll also pick that lemon, I need to think of something important to use it on :)

I figured my lemon was an Improved Meyer after I read that the newer virus free version was released back in the 1950s.

Thanks,

Eric
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meyermike_1micha
11 years ago
I must say WELCOME to the world of citrus addicts...

Your trees are beautiful and a great job I must say so myself for the mix they are already in.
I can only imagine what they will look like after the mix is even better that what you already have them in.

Sounds like you have a plan and have been doing your homework. Bravo.

MIke:-)
cincy_city_garden
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks Mike. I've read many of your posts :) It will be good to know a fellow cold weather container grower. I may buy a kumquat by week's end!

Eric
johnmerr
11 years ago
Eric,

As for something to do with your Meyer fruit, the editor of the San Francisco Chronicle once devoted a half page editorial to the praise of the Meyer lemon, in which he said, "Until you have had a Meyer lemon martini, you have not experienced that little bit of heaven on earth" Google 101 things to do with a Meyer lemon for more suggestions. BTW the Improved Meyer Lemon was released by UC and Four Winds Growers in 1975.
cincy_city_garden
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi John,

Thanks for the correction :) I always want to have the right information. I think a martini would be just the thing!

Eric
mksmth zone 7a Tulsa Oklahoma
11 years ago
Mine go straight into a good wheat beer. they are pretty good for eating straight also.

Mike