Really sadsack 5-1-1 question

10 years ago

Hello!

Well, I have a potted lemon tree that is very unhappy, and it has been needing to be repotted for ages. (This is bad, I know.) The leaves are very light green and there are many fewer than there should be. Two weeks ago I fed it with an organic boxed fert, the EB Stone for citrus, hoping to prop it up a little while I get ready to re-pot.

The fert doesn't seem to have made any difference, which could mean the roots are even unhappier than I thought. I suppose it could also mean a lot of other things. It gets plenty of light but I'm not sure it gets enough water (I am not there a lot of the time...), and the soil I bought in the first place was not meant for containers (which was in the small print but still my fault).

My question is, is it really horrible to put it into a 5-1-1 mix right away, without the 2 weeks? Or would it be better to mix the 5-1-1 and wait the 2 weeks? Besides the EB, we have the Citrustone too, and fish emulsion. Should I try the fish emulsion to see if it will strengthen it a little, while the 5-1-1 is prepared?

Sorry for this depressing question!!!

Featured Answer

Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
Original Author

10 years ago

Oh also, I'm going with a 5-1-1, basically.

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Comments (10)

greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
10 years ago
I'd say re-pot. Situation sounds pretty bad....so it's worth a shot.

I mix and pot the same day. Shouldn't make a difference, as long as you're good with the after care. You must keep the mix evenly moist or there will be root-loss, and probable death of part or all of the tree.

Josh
Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, Greenman!!! Re-pot it is!!!
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greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
10 years ago
For anyone reading....I'm recommending a Winter re-pot because I also see that the tree is in zone 10, southern California. That changes things....

Josh
ewwmayo
10 years ago
Jealous of that SoCal weather. =)

As an aside, additional fertilization to ailing plants is usually not that helpful. Save it for a few weeks after the repot!
Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for all input!

I will try to hold off on the fert. Maybe just the teensiest bit of fish emulsion? I wonder if I should move it to part shade, as one would normally do with a re-pot (I think), to let it adjust? But it is winter now, in fact raining this week so it's not in strong sun. Maybe I'll leave it where it is. (In case anyone wonders, I am only there on weekends...)
ewwmayo
10 years ago
It's up to you. Depending what soil you choose, it may already have some fertilizer in it.
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
10 years ago
agree with ewwmayo about not fertilizing ailing plant...I usually think about sick kids - doctors do not recommend force-feeding them (lost appetite is usually sign of not feeling well)...JMO!
Ohiofem 6a/5b Southwest Ohio
10 years ago
Move it into shade. UV light is harsh enough to hurt a transplant even when it's raining.
Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)
Original Author
10 years ago
Okay, shade and no fert it is!!! Thanks everyone!