Repotting in a different medium

8 years ago

I suspect that the mix I am using (the mix the local nursery grows its citrus in heavily amended it with perlite about 2:1), is still too dense. I would like to move my Meyer Lemon, from fast growing trees into a 5-1-1 gritty mix. How to do that without killing my tree and it dropping all of the flowers and tiny fruit is a mystery to me.

Sidenote: Espoma perlite ok, or is it too fine?

I've read somewhere that I need to get a hose and rinse all of the old soil off of the roots, trim any that may be rotting and then put the tree in the new mix in the new smart pot. I'll sacrifice the buds and fruit if it'll lead to long term health and if the tree will recover fairly quickly.

Is this the right time and season? Is this even a good idea I suspect it'll start warming up enough for the tree to go outside in about a month.

Featured Answer

poncirusguy6b452xx

8 years ago

Wait till you put the tree outside. You can put the tree outside in shade to get used to the sun and adjust for root loss at the same time.

Steve

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Comments (8)

Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Jaime, yes you should bare root the tree before putting it into 5:1:1.

If possible, as Steve said, wait until spring to do it. In the mean time be careful that you do not over water because the soil it is in retains water too much. Dig into the soil a couple of inches to see if it needs water before you water. Better to err on the dry side.
Jaime thanked Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
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Jaime
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks guys. I'm having trouble finding pine bark fines. Is Repti-Bark officially ok? Also, I'm not using Al's gritty. I'm doing the 5 parts bark, 1 part peat, 1 part coarse perlite. This ok?
Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
8 years ago
Jaime, Repti-Bark is fine to use. Soak it overnight first. Your 511 recipe is correct.
Jaime thanked Vladimir (Zone 5b Massachusetts)
Jaime
Original Author
8 years ago
Awesome. Thanks, Vladimir.
Lin Lin An
8 years ago
I don't think you'll lose any blossoms due to repotting. Mine seem to appreciate the fresh start and continue booming despite rinsing off and repotting.
Jaime thanked Lin Lin An
Jaime
Original Author
8 years ago
Lin Lin An,

I mixed up some 5-1-1 and transplanted a small variegated eureka into the mixture just to test. It's been dropping some leaves ever since. It was kind of weak looking when I bought it. Maybe normal after a repot into a different medium. I'm hoping it stops soon.
Lin Lin An
8 years ago
I'm no expert (3 years tending a finicky lime and and 2 productive lemons) but I'd say wait and watch and assume it is normal, given the season (late winter in the US?). A weak plant to start, as you say, could take an entire year of slow recovery or maybe just roots catching up before pouring on growth prior to spring. These young trees are truly amazing sometimes. My lime was a home center purchase of questionable stock and had only six leaves the first two years but bore 4- 6 fruit each of the three years I've had it. Last year it leafed out fully, but only 4 limes - all a good size and taste. I think they have only so much energy, given the nutrients and circumstances and recovery is at their own pace. You've done your best for it. Have faith that the plant will do what it needs to do to recover. It may just be in "safe mode" right now, to use an analogy. Steve, Mike, Vlad, Laura, Johnmerr, Silica and others all give excellent advice. You're definitely at the right site for help.
Jaime thanked Lin Lin An