Potted citrus - nutrient deficient?

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I recently moved this outside to a covered setting to harden it for going out for the summer. It's around 48 degrees at night now. Looking at the leaves I think it may be nutrient-deficient but is there disease also? I've been fertilizing it every 10-12 weeks with Citrus Gain (8-3-9) and it's due for fertilizing this month, but I wonder if this is the best fertilizer?

I'm unsure what all I'm seeing here and would appreciate your comments about how to treat the plant. I think it's a mandarin but it has never borne fruit. It did have spider mites a couple of months ago and these were cleared up with Go-green Spider Mite Killer. I was researching how to prune fruit trees and pruned this plant about a month ago, taking off big branches just above the soil level. It was repotted just under two years ago.

Thanks for your help.

Featured Answer

poncirusguy6b452xx

9 years ago

Citrus Gain (8-3-9)

assuming this has the micros it would be a very good feed for winter time. The tree would get everything it needs with out the nitrogen growth kick start that we don't want. You can also add ammonium sulfate to a volume to add 7-0-0 to give you 15-3-9 and you will have the perfect ratio for your citrus tree.

6b Steve

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Comments (7)

Laura LaRosa (7b)
9 years ago
Your tree definitely looks undernourished. I would suggest using both Oscomote Plus AND Foliage Pro. Other than that, great looking tree!
Lydia Brannon thanked Laura LaRosa (7b)
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Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
9 years ago
Very often nutritional deficiencies are due to the roots being unable to take up the necessary nutrients even though the nutrients are present in the soil. This may be the result of alkaline pH, root rot, lack of oxygen at the roots or improper temperature.

I can't tell for sure, but it looks looks like your soil may retain too much water, not allowing enough oxygen at the roots and possibly causing root rot.
Lydia Brannon thanked Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
jaydub83
9 years ago
that last picture just looks like spider mite damage to me.
Lydia Brannon thanked jaydub83
eSilviu
9 years ago
spider mites is my opinion too.
Lydia Brannon thanked eSilviu
Lydia Brannon
Original Author
9 years ago
Awesome! I think I'm going to start by moving it up to a larger pot and use a good potting soil, because I think I used "raised bed" soil last time and that could very well be it's not right for a pot. I'm going to get a pH tester. I'll do those first before changing fertilizer. Thanks so much.
myermike_1micha
9 years ago
Spider mites....