Potted Key Lime Tree - Nutrient Deficiency?

10 years ago

Hi folks,

I'm fairly new to the world of citrus and container growing. I purchased this key lime tree from the clearance section a year and a half ago. When I got it, it had two cracked main branches. I assume something fell on it. I was able to repair the branches, and it's health improved so well last year, it gave me about 30 or so limes.

My new concerns are several. Firstly, I think it will soon be in need of re-potting this spring. If so, what type of soil mix should I use? Also, should I remove as much of the old soil as possible, or just place the whole root ball in a bigger pot?

Second, it has already put out a LOT of new growth this January and I have found 3 leaves that have stared to discolor. I have read soooo much information in forums all over the web trying to figure out the proper fertilizer regimen, but have finally posted here as a cry for help. I am boggled down with too much contradicting advise and feel as though I am running out of time.
To date, I have not fertilized since October based on some advise given to me last year. According to that same advise, I can't fertilize again until may. This seems not correct to me however, because common sense tells me that if it is putting out a lot of new growth and flowers, it will soon start to deplete itself. The fertilizer I was told to use is Rite Green Citrus 4-6-8. I put just a teaspoon or so spread out on the surface of the soil.

In addition, I feel as though I may have been watering a little too much this winter and have cut back by a few days until it warms up here in Orlando.
If I can figure out how to put a photo on here, I will include some.

Thank you in advance for all of your kind help. This seems like a great gardening community. If anyone needs help with bonsai, I can certainly contribute.

Additional Info:

- This tree stays on my covered front porch year around, but has ample light

- I live in Orlando, Florida

- I use rain water when possible for watering, and untreated well water if no rain water is available
- I do not prune just for the sake of pruning

- I take the tree in during the night if temps fall below 42 degrees.

Featured Answer

poncirusguy6b452xx

10 years ago

You can use the same 24-8-16 on the leaves as well as roots. This can be used on all your citrus tree. I use Miracle-Gro® and Miracid® brand. I can find it at the store very easily and it is very inexpensive. Others use Dyna-Gro Foliage Pro 9-3-6 It is more complete than what I use but much more expensive.

Some loss of leaves after bringing the tree in is normal. Your tree looks really good.

If you haven't bought the Miragle-gro cactus mix don't. If you have and can't take it back I would suggest adding 3 parts pine fines to 1 part cactus mix.

5 parts pine fines, 1 part compost, 1 part perlite.

I can't help with the black spots. I have no experience there

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Comments (7)

poncirusguy6b452xx
10 years ago
If you are about out of fertilizer you'll want to get something with a ratio of 5-1-3 or 3-1-2. I am using Miracle grow 24-8-16 and Miracid 24-8-16. Both have micro nutrients except Ca. In the summer I add a 28-0-4 to the 24-8-16 to get a combo of 26-4-10. I get Ca from composted egg shells.

In the winter I use at 1/3 strength. and mostly foliar feed.
Heather thanked poncirusguy6b452xx
Heather
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you very much Steve Z for your help! Being a noob however, I don't understand much of that nor do I know where to get the different numbers? Also, what is a foliar feed? Foliage spray? I have plenty of this Rite Green left, I just do not know when to use it, how often to use it, or if those two yellowing leaves is indicative of a larger issue.
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poncirusguy6b452xx
10 years ago
Foliage spray is correct. I spray mine Morning, early evening, but not at night

N-P-K is the feed numbers. You need to replace your 4-6-8 with a ratio 3x-1x-2x . Miraclegrow has a 24-8-16 that works very well for me. It is inexpensive and at your local big box store.

Citrus are heavy feeders so I feed mine by the instructions on the box. If I have to water twice as often than the boxes instruction I mix up my feed at half strength each watering. In the indoor cold months I use 1/3 strength.

The mixing up of fertilizers can be confusing until you get the hang of things
Heather thanked poncirusguy6b452xx
Heather
Original Author
10 years ago
Ah... Now I understand. Thank you! I will go find that 24-8-16. This only seems to raise more questions for me however! My apologies...

- What brand of foliar spray do you use? And does it need certain numbers as well?

- Can I use the same spray and fertilizer mix for my other potted citrus trees?

- Also, Would my soil be ok if I used the miracle grow cactus mix with perlite and a little masonry grit or fish tank rocks? I'm quite certain all my citrus are becoming root bound and need new pots and soil... I just don't want to get it wrong. What mixes do you use?

Thanks again for your help!
Heather
Original Author
10 years ago
Ok.. so on closer inspection, I found two more leaves that were starting to discolor and they all have tiny little pin point sized dots. The dots appear black on the top of the leaf and brown on the underside. On the underside, they feel hard and sandpaper-ish... I have spent a good two hours trying to identify this and have had no luck. The leaves do not appear to have any bugs on/in them. It is only on a few leaves so far, and I want to stop this before it spreads.. does any one have any experience in dealing with this problem?
Heather
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you very much! I will try that soil mix and fertilizer for sure.