You can remove the soil and transplant in a 511 mix not sand. 5 parts shredded pine bark s 1 part potting soil 1 part perlite.

Steve

Many people on this forum use either the
gritty or 5-1-1 mix, both of which are fast draining and do not retain too much
water. The ingredients for 5-1-1 are easier to find. This is what I use:

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. They do not screen it.) Be sure to soak the bark overnight.

1 part sphagnum peat

1 part perlite (coarse, if you can get it)

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

Osmocote plus (follow manufacturer’s instructions). This is optional.

Moisten well and wait at 2 days before using, if possible.

When repotting into a different kind of soil mix, remove all of the old soil mix by dunking the root ball in and out of water. You may have to use a garden hose to gently force the old soil off. Or, use something like a screwdriver: stick it into the root ball and pull down to loosen the soil. Dunk and repeat.

Thanks for the ingredients, although I'm not sure I can get bark that finely shredded but I'll try.

Wouldn't lime raise the PH? I thought citrus required somewhat acidic soil. The water here is really hard so I don't think I'd be needing that anyway.

Also, any suggestions about pot size? Both the kumquat and lemon are about 2' tall.

One more newbie question... Wouldn't the bark start decomposing/rotting in the pot?

Yes but very slowly. You will need to re-pot by then. 3 years life expectancy. If you can move your trees with a drum mover or dolly then use gritty mix.

Steve

So, I know this question comes too early, but just to satisfy my curiosity, after the bark decomposes in a few years, would all the mix need to be replaced again?

I am by no means an expert on the subject, but I order my bark bits from amazon. I use reptibark and some of the other people on here do to. If you only have a couple of trees its very affordable. About two weeks ago I mixed up a fresh batch to top off my containers because my kids and cat spill it everywhere haha. also The 511 is so much lighter than traditional mixes. I can lift the pots and know if the tree is dry or wet inside the pot. Super easy to carry when they are on the lighter side! Good luck!

I'm a 5-1-1 reptibark guy, I've taken to it and reptibark is Fir not pine nice even big chunks, takes a while to break down......All potted mixes generally need to be refreshed anyway after a time as plants/trees grow.....I use the old mix (some people say not to do it) which is seasoned as a component in new mixes replacing peat....just as if I bought a new tree that came with soil, I'd use that old soil as a component instead of peat......it never goes to waste

Alex, if you are planning on using the same very porous mixes, the mix will tend to fall away anyways on your next re pot.

If I used a mix that I knew broke down and compacted, I would work it away from the root ball and use a fresh mix through out.

If you are one of those that does not like to disturb the roots that much nothing to fear by the way, you can always just cut away the edges and bottom a bit and set into the same 'like' mix

Then too, you could just up pot as long as the mix has the same consistency as the older one.

The key is to keep the mixes about = so that the roots grow into the fresh mix.

And, to not allow the center of the root ball become compacted that it works against you.

Root work is beneficial to trees and then many just skip that part. It's all up to you.

If you use containers one size or two bigger than the root ball, by the time you have to re pot, the mix will be all used up by the roots.

Try to keep your mix open and aery at all times, never to the point of compacted or too decomposed, and your trees will thank you more than you know.

Mike

While you are planning for your spring repot, you can help your plants now.

After watering, tip the pot (prop it) to drain water out better.

Elevating the pot above the cold floor may help reduce rot issues.

Depending on the pot, you can drill holes in it to increase aeration. Lots of holes. All over.

The repti-bark takes a long time to break down. Because water runs through the 5-1-1 very freely, the soil doesn't stay soggy long enough for anything to rot.

If you want to use regular potting soil then use a clay or terracotta pot. The soil dries out much faster than in a plastic pot.

Lots of holes

Greenhouse and bucket lights · More Info

And even more holes

Greenhouse and bucket lights · More Info

During summer months many of the side hole need to be closed with packing tape to hole enough water.

Steve