new trees and mixed feelings

9 years ago

Got my new trees today and the feeling is the whole spectrum from 3 to 10 (1 to 10)

I got 2 one entry size valentine pomelo and one of them has a very poorly draft (that would be 3)

They seem a bit small too with leafs that look curly (solid 5 for that) The choice trees Cara Cara is what I expected to be entry size but they look nice (7) the Troviata looks very nice. even has some fruits on which means I should get some fruits next year. This one would be a 10 even though it is on the smaller side ( already love this one a lot :) ). Totally surprised that is came in a pot as all my other trees came bare rooted. I got all my trees from them and guess I was spoiled before.

this one is really really nice and already love it. All trees seem to have something that look like cedar mulch in the soil. Home depot did not had any fir bark, just mulch with color added and I'm sure not what I want in my trees. How about orchid soil?

this is my soil mix from garden center mixed especially for container planting. good enough to just mix in some bark? Or more perlite?

and my shredded tree mulch. Husband says it is already two years old. Has a lot of pine needles in there too

Featured Answer

Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)

9 years ago

I think the trees look fine even the one with curly leaves. It will improve with time.

I would not use the garden center's mix or the shredded tree mulch.

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Comments (7)

Susanne Michigan Zone 5/6
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Why not the garden center soil mix? No wetting agends and very fluffy :)
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Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
9 years ago
The garden center mix will work well in small pots but in large pots it is likely to lead to root rot especially if you have had no experience using it with citrus in large pots. I and other people have used similar mixes successfully but many people have killed their trees with such mixes. I use mostly 5-1-1 and gritty.
Laura LaRosa (7b)
9 years ago
I agree with Vladimir. Considering how expensive those trees were, I'd make up a batch of 5-1-1 (or gritty) to make sure they'll have the best mix. However, you have other citrus and if your others are doing well, then use what you are comfortable with.
Susanne Michigan Zone 5/6
Original Author
9 years ago
Vladimir this is what my citrus are growing in since 4 years
Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
9 years ago
OK, then, as Laura says, use what you are comfortable with. Most people kill their trees using that kind of mix.
Susanne Michigan Zone 5/6
Original Author
9 years ago
repotted all new trees today. The Trovita was very rootbound but all healthy. One of the valentines had not so great looking roots but small enough that it will rebound I hope. I went with the mix I bought as my trees are really growing well in that. No need to fix what is not broken.