LImequat overwintering indoors

11 years ago

Hello
I`m growing Limequat in hardiness zone 5-6. Its growing in a flat with central heating system that i cant control, temperatures ranges from 18 to 21 Celsius(64F to 69F) to increase humidity i put plastic container with water on radiator.
When day length decreases to 10 hours i use light bulb 6500K to maintain for the plant over winter period 11 hours of daylight. Limequat gets light from east facing windows all the time.
Watering plant rarely 10-14 days. Fertilizing every 1,5 month till spring.
But still i don't know if i`m doing it right or wrong, because plant still loosing its leaves, spring will come in 1 month and plant lost already about dunno 15-20 % its new and old leaves. Maybe its normal or not i don`t know, need your opinion.
Thank You

Limequat in late september.

Featured Answer

limeinqueens

11 years ago

The leaves you have look pretty healthy. And it is normal for plants to drop leaves from time to time. But I take it there's no new growth in addition to some leaf drop?

The soil is a common culprit and your soil looks dark and dense. How long has it been in that soil? Is it old/broken down? Is it wet at the bottom? Even if you are not overwatering it in terms of frequency, if the soil is holding too much water, its overwatered. You need to use *at the minimum* a "cactus" soil, rather than a "potting" soil, and add extra perlite. the 5-1-1 mix is great if you can find the ingredients (sounds like you are the in the UK? or Canada?).

Another thing I notice is the pot is sitting directly on a saucer. When you water it, and water drips through, it ends up sitting in a puddle. Citrus trees usually hate that. Put some gravel in the saucer to lift it up out of the drained water.

This post was edited by limeinqueens on Sun, Feb 8, 15 at 9:18

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Comments (9)

clip3
Original Author
11 years ago
In February
clip3
Original Author
11 years ago
up
anyone please. :(
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greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
11 years ago
The tree looks fine, for what it's worth.

I agree, though, that the potting mix should be replaced this Spring. A bark-based mix works very well. You should triple the size of that container.

Also, elevate the pot in the saucer, as suggested.

Josh
clip3 thanked greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
clip3
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
There is no new growth at the moment, in November plant grew little branch with few leaves and now all those leaves dropped and branch is still there but already brown.Is it normal for lime to drop last season leaves? i heard 1 leaf lifes about 2 years

I use from market soil for citrus plants, not much what to choose from. in addition i add a little sand. Soil is not old i repoted it last spring. I think its wet at the bottom low air circulation there when some water left in saucer. Im from Lithuania

i was thinking to re pot plant to the using new soil (that in picture). I dont have experience in making soils is there any solution maybe i can buy some ready cactus soil and add something to it?

This is the soil i use
clip3
Original Author
11 years ago
My potting soil contains: different fractions of peat, composted bark, clay. PH 5,5-6,0
Maybe i could mix up my potting soil with some barks perlite to make it softer?
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
11 years ago
Hello!

Adding sand is a bad idea, and that has no doubt increased the moisture and reduced the available oxygen in the bottom inches of the container.

Do you have Perlite available? Do you have "Orchid Mix" available?

Josh
clip3
Original Author
11 years ago
Hello Josh
yes those are available. Already bought perlite and barks. Was going to make a mix from potting mix + perlite + barks. What do you think about that?
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
11 years ago
I think that is excellent!
5 parts bark, 1 part perlite, 1 part potting mix.
Also, add a slow-release fertilizer to the mix.
Wonderful,

Josh
clip3 thanked greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a