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howard_martin79

cold hardy citrus

6 years ago

can I grow lemons in clay soil

Comments (24)

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Can you use a computer so that you can avoid one-line posts?

    If you had a computer, you likely wouldn't need to be asking this question, because this forum has something that's called a "Search" function.

  • 6 years ago

    I have no compu

  • 6 years ago

    l have no computer

  • 6 years ago

    Library computer. I have considered getting rid f my computer and just using a library computer.

    Steven

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Howard, you can grow anything in clay......as long as you prepare both the plant and the planting hole properly. But being able to access a computer is sort of critical in order to read and absorb all the information available. And without us having to rewrite or copy and paste all that information. Library computers are good and free to use....or an Internet cafe.

    Here's a couple of links to get you started: https://www.urbanfoodgarden.org/main/trees-shrubs/trees-shrubs-planting-citrus.htm

    https://www.houzz.com/discussions/1653271/clay-soil-and-citrus-trees

    @socalnolympia, your comment was not helpful and borders on being rude. If you don't have something of value to contribute, perhaps you should avoid posting at all.

  • 6 years ago

    but that's the best I could do with clay it is much easier to dig a hole in wet clay and layering clay and peat moss does make a better ground for growing things than clay alone

  • 6 years ago

    I'm speaking from experience with clay

  • 6 years ago

    I would strongly caution you against mixing peat moss - or any other soil amendment - in the planting hole when working with a clay soil. The highly water retentive amendments absorb too much water and the clay prevents it from draining freely so you wind up with just a bucket of soggy soil and your plants will rot. It is a well documented phenomenon known as the "bathtub effect".

    Just dig a very wide but shallow planting hole, plant high (root crown above grade) and backfill ONLY with the removed clay, broken up as best you can. You will be creating a small mound or berm. You can use whatever amendments you like to topdress or mulch the planting but do not include them in the backfill mix!!

  • 6 years ago

    Okay but plantineed maple trees that way

  • 6 years ago

    but I still believe it best to start citrus in clay as seeds

  • 6 years ago

    What gardengal wrote about not adding any amendments to the back fill when planting a citrus tree, is 100 percent correct. She gave you very good advise.

  • 6 years ago

    Okay how about starting citrus seeds in clay first

  • 6 years ago

    I'm growing citrus in clay from seed right now

  • 6 years ago

    Citrus is able to grow in clay just fine. Simply do not amend the planting holes. Same advice goes for anything else you want to plant in clay.....no amending!!!

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I think the OP is in Kentucky. When he says 'grow in clay' I think he's trying to grow seeds in a pot in clay. Not something that I would advise doing.

    Or perhaps he's starting seed outdoors in the clay soil, hoping for a super hardy lemon...in which case, it doesn't really matter as they'll die over winter anyway.

  • 6 years ago

    I'm still going to try and carefully watch my trees if I see they are struggling I will bring them in for they have to struggle some to bring those traits to the surface

  • 6 years ago

    I never prepared the soil I just planted seeds in Ashland Kentucky clay

  • 6 years ago

    I'm back

  • 6 years ago

    it does matter to me Iknow I'm going against the odds

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    You're having bad posting etiquette again, HOWARD Martin. I would suggest trying to figure out how to edit your posts, so you don't have to make three different posts in a row, each with a one line comment.

    I would have private messaged you, but you have not changed the settings on your account to enable me to do so, and I doubt you have the wherewithal to figure out how to do that on this forum, since it seems you don't know how to edit your posts.

    I know it can be really frustrating and hard trying to use this forum from your phone, but please figure it out.

  • 6 years ago

    I don't know how to set up my own thread

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Howard

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=barWV7RWkq0

    I hope it goes well for you.

    Steve

  • 6 years ago

    My lemon seed might be beginning to grow again. And I have it in a 5 gallon bucket. of much richer clay soil and I'm using miracle grow fertilizer at 4 x the recommended rate mentioned. And my lemon is starting to recover with new buds. But no new leaves yet