root damage

9 years ago

The kumquat I've had for a year was recently attacked by critters. The soil was massively dug up on at least half the container.

I ended up leaving it as-is, instead of repotting. From what I could tell, there are a bunch of broken roots (I pulled them out) and for the first few inches below the soil, there are NO roots.

This might be due to the critter damage, or it might be because I let the soil go dry too far down during the winter.

I potted it up last July and it was always kind of wiggly in the pot, so I don't think there were a lot of roots up there.

Either way, the fact that there are no roots for a few inches (at least) is worrysome. I do think there are some further down, though.

With any other plant, I would just pull it out to take a look. With citrus, the roots seem so brittle, I'm just not sure how resilient they are.

It's been 2 weeks, and the plant looks the same: no leaf loss, wilting.

I do have some root stimulator solution, but it's been sitting in my garage all winter. Does that stuff need to be fresh? I've never used it before.

Is there anything else that is supposed to be good for stimulating root growth, specifically on citrus?

Featured Answer

fireballsocal

9 years ago

Vladimir, I've read similar research. I'm sure they're right however I've brought back some seemingly hopeless trees with excellent results so I use the stuff. With 10 cents in product used, I don't care if it is useless. Again, anecdotal is all I have.

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Comments (7)

fireballsocal
9 years ago
I might try B vitamins with water. I have only anecdotal evidence but it seems to help transplanted trees as well as trees that have been damaged by too little water, gophers, and getting knocked over. If the tree isn't wilting though, I think it will take care of itself.
poncirusguy6b452xx
9 years ago
No leaf drop or wilt is extremely good news for you and your tree. Keep it moist not dry with some drying out between waterings. I give my trees a soaking then when the soil surface dries out I water it lightly to wet the top few inches. When it dries out again I will soak The whole pot again. Have you consider growing your kumquat tree in the ground. All 3 of my kumquat trees are in ground and have gone through 1 winter now. They look a lot better than any of my indoor trees have ever looked at the end of winter/spring.

"BARELY 6b" Steve
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Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
9 years ago
Vitamin B1 is useless, according to this: https://puyallup.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/vitamin-b1.pdf
Laura LaRosa (7b)
9 years ago
I say if the tree seems fine, let it be. They can tolerate a lot more than we give them credit for.
hibiscus909
Original Author
9 years ago
I am going to try some kelp, as I already have it on hand. I've never actually used this kelp (dry powder) on my plants before, so I'm not sure if I should use it dry or mix with water.

Steve, I originally planned to eventually get the kumquat into the ground. Once I am sure the best path to success. For starters, I have heavy clay soil. Tons of earthworms, tho, and it is great for bananas. Just not sure about citrus.
poncirusguy6b452xx
9 years ago
Poncirus tryifoliata or Flying drag are clay's best friend