Oh and I forgot to mention that I used reptibark not fines which seems to get bone dry very quickly...

That's fine..I do it all the time) But you could soak some bark and put that as a top layer and it should slow down the drying process.

Perfect thanks. Another suggestion I heard was to soak sphagnum and put that on the top of your plants.

What is this 5.1.1 mix for citrus that we keep mentioning in this forum? I'm currently looking into improving the health of my 3 year old Kieffer tree and seeing people talking about his mix. Could someone please point me to the post that has details about this mix? Thank you.

Hobby, which suggestion are you going to follow: water only the top or soak the whole container?

Steve, my concern about watering only the top is salt buildup (unless you periodically flush with copious amounts of pure water). Also, how do you know how much water to add?

Hi there xkywalker, here are the 511 details. You can also search 511 in the search box and tons of stuff will come up. Credit for the below info given to Vladimir... I just copied and posted this info from one of his threads. I would definitely switch to this mix if you can... especially if you overwinter inside.

My version of Al Tapla's 5-1-1 Mix

· 5 parts pine bark mulch (remove ½” pieces through 1/2 inch screen)

(Some people use Repti Bark instead of mulch without screening)

· 1 part sphagnum peat

· 1 parts perlite (coarse, if you can get it)

· 1 Tb/gal 5-1-1 mix garden lime (measure the 5-1-1 mix)

· Controlled release fertilizer (optional)

· Moisten and wait 2 days before using

For fertilizer, use Foliage Pro 9-3-6 and add 1 Tsp./gal. Use that whenever you have to water instead of pure water. Get a cheap pH tester the kind used to test the pH of aquarium water. If your tap water is above pH 6.5, add vinegar to adjust it to about pH 6.5. You will only have to add give or take a 1 Tb/gal. So, you will be watering with a mix of vinegar and Foliage Pro every time the tree needs water.

Hi Vlad, I use Steve's method as above... so I do a deep water every 3 or 4 days after checking first for moisture levels. I just noticed that the top of my mix gets bone dry about a day before I do a deep water which was concerning me so I just give them a quick spritz on top if I notice excessive dryness so the fine feeder roots don't get too dried out.

I would do the bark mulch on top that Mike suggested as I know that works but I want to be able to see my pretty reptibark that has been slowly driving me into the poorhouse lol.

Full water followed 1/3 water to re-wet the top 3 inch next water 2/3 to rehydrate to 6 inches or so. Start out again with a heavy watering followed by 1/3, then 2/3. Give it a royal flush to clear out salts before starting with the fourth full watering/feeding

Each watering is with the weekly-weekly at full, 1/3, 2/3. The Royall flush is fresh water in its pure. Rain water is best. Cl free aged tap water next best.

Water pattern should look like this

!00%, 33%, 66%, 100%, 33%, 66%, 100%, 33% 66%

ROYAL FLUSH

!00%, 33%, 66%, 100%, 33%, 66%, 100%, 33% 66%

ROYAL FLUSH

!00%, 33%, 66%, 100%, 33%, 66%, 100%, 33% 66%

ROYAL FLUSH

!00%, 33%, 66%, 100%, 33%, 66%, 100%, 33% 66%

You will have to adjust this to your weather and tree's needs. It will vary greatly.

I've been watering my trees every 2-3 days. I find the same thing Hobby...the top layer is dried out. I'm not as methodical as Steve. I just thoroughly water with my garden hose and then afterwards (30 mins+) I give FP with a little vinegar. Xkywalker, some of us use reptibark. It is definitely more costly than pine bark mulch, but it's easy. I just posted a link to the cheapest price I've found on Amazon. I'll look for it and post it here. I'm not pushing reptibark, but when I first started making my own mixes, finding the ingredients seemed overwhelming and it helped me lots when people provided a link.

Zoo Med Reptile Bark Fir Bedding, 24 Quarts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F9AMW6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_7kMExbEFYF1K1

Thanks to Hobbyartisan and Laura for posting some guidance. This truly is overwhelming. Most of the ingredients that listed here, this is the first time I heard about them. Would the pine bark mulch at Lowes or HomeDepot do the job? I found brown pine bark mulch selling at Lowes but not sure if it is ok to use? (http://www.lowes.com/pd/2-cu-ft-Dark-Brown-Pine-Bark-Mulch/1112345)

If one uses the composted pine bark as the original recipe calls for this does not happen.

But you have all found a way around it and I'm proud of you all for that. I love how you have the fertilizer under your belt. Way to go friends !!!!

Once your mic ages in a few months with the repti bark you won't have to worry about the top. ))

I can't tell whether the Lowes or Home Depot mulch will be OK without looking at it, so one thing you can do is get one or both and post pictures. I use this: http://myagway.com/catalog/product/117217/agway-pine-bark-mulch-3-cuft#.V3sBzVdh0mI

I need an opinion as well. previously I have used a mix of coco chips , perlite, peat. This time I plan to follow the 511 mix recipe . question is whether composted pine bark or fresh pine bark mulch is better. most recent postings talk about fresh mulch or repti bark but Mike u mentioned preferred is composted . heres the link to the options(spm vs cpm) we get in my area .

http://www.gro-bark.com/products/mulch.php