skip to main content

Container Gardening

Potted orange tree does not bloom

16 years ago

I got an orange tree from a nursery about a year ago, and potted it with Miracle-Gro Potting Soil. Since then it has not produced any blooms, and has grown very very very little. I fertilize it every 3 months with Miracle-Gro Citrus Fertilizer, and it get about 8 hours of sun every day. The pot that it is in, is about 22" in diameter and slightly tapers at the bottom.

I am not sure if there is something wrong with the tree or the way I am taking care of it.

One thing I did notice is that the soil stays very wet, so I rarely water it. I use a water meter and it is off the chart. When I potted it I drilled plenty of drain holes and put in about 4 inches of rocks at the bottom. When I do water it, water does drain from the bottom of the pot, so I know it is draining.

Should I try to re-pot it with a different type of soil? If so what kind, or am I doing something else wrong?

Thanks!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
16 years ago
When you have a heavy soil that remains wet for extended periods, it affects root health dramatically. Fine, all-important roots begin to die very quickly after being exposed to saturated soil. They cannot regenerate until air returns to the soil, and then the regeneration creates a substantial energy drain on the plant, or it can kill it outright.

I would strongly advise you to repot, removing all of the old soil from the root mass and situate the tree in a free draining, well-aerated soil.

The "drainage layer" of rocks you have provided does not improve drainage, it simply raises the level of saturation in the pot as water "perches" in the soil above the rocks.

The link I'm leaving for you explains pretty much all you need to know to be able to determine an appropriate soil choice.

Al

Here is a link that might be useful: Container Soils - Water Movement & Retention
regine_Z 10 Fl gw
16 years ago
Citrus trees do not like a lot of water so make sure you're not using potting soil with moisture control. Hold off on the fertilizer until you see some growth. If the roots are stressed, they can't take up the fertilizer.

Regina
Related Discussions
valencia orange tree bearing fruit in pot?
Q
Comments (2)
If you want to be safe, I'd use a small paintbrush (I'm thinking of a child's watercolor paintbrush)and gently brush each flower to ensure pollination. If it's a small tree, don't expect a ton of fruit. Very few of the flowers actually turn into oranges. I bet your patio smells lovely though!
...See More
when to expect blooms on my orange tree
Q
Comments (3)
While some types of citrus (like meyer's lemons, kumquats, etc) are capable of blooming and producing fruit the first year while in the ground, many won't produce fruit for a few years even if they do bloom. To answer the question "What's up with the orange?" - there is most likely nothing wrong with your orange. This question actually pops up more than many. Almost all citrus is capable of blooming in their own pots when you buy them, because the root system has been established in the pots, and instead of excessively growing in the pot, it actually produces blooms and even fruit. However, when you plant the citrus in to the ground, it can take several (2-7) years before the plant starts producing fruits. This is because the roots have to grow and re-establish in the ground, enough to support top growth and blooming.
...See More
Potted Valencia orange tree dropping leaves
Q
Comments (1)
We need to know more about this tree. How long have you had it? How long has it been in the same container? What kind of potting medium do you have? Does your greenhouse remain steadily at 71 or is that a day OR night temperature? Is your plant watered adequately/properly? Insect infestations can cause stress for a plant. They have to use considerable energy resources to withstand and recover such attacks. My favorite method of mealybug control on citrus (and most other plants) is to keep a misting bottle filled with a solution of one part isopropyl alcohol to three parts water so that you can attack the critters on a regular basis. You can also go after them with a cotton swab dipped in the alcohol out of the bottle PLUS mist them. Don't use the alcohol on bright, sunny days...or anything else, for that matter.
...See More
Finally Pulled my First Enjoyable Temple Orange Off my Potted Tree
Q
Comments (11)
Nice! I had no idea citrus could be grown indoors under lights. Do you bring them in for the winter, and keep them outdoors as long as the temps are high enough? I’m in S California, so I’ve never seen this done before, or given it a thought. I came across your post while looking through the “Growing Under Lights” forum. That orange looks great! (That’s coming from someone who is accustomed to seeing oranges growing in many backyards and professional groves.). How I’d love to grow apples, peonies, tulips; all the things that require “chill hours”. The grass is always greener.......Lisa
...See More
solstice98
16 years ago
I agree that an orange tree with its feet in the water will not be happy. Repot it for sure. This may even encourage it to set flowers. However, it's not unusual to wait 2-3 years before you get any fruit.
davethis
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone!!! I repotted it, hopefully I did not kill him in the process.

Related Stories

TREES 6 Unsung Spring-Blooming Trees

Billowy blooms and rare fragrances will make you wonder how these flowering trees could ever have been underused in landscapes

GARDENING GUIDES Top 12 Summer-Blooming Perennials for Deer-Resistant Drama

Can you have garden color, fragrance and exciting foliage with hungry deer afoot? These beauties say yes

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Heat-Loving Duranta Erecta Blooms From Spring Into Early Fall

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Golden dewdrops, a versatile tropical shrub, has delicate purple and white blossoms

MOST POPULAR When Does a House Become a Home?

By Laura Gaskill

Getting settled can take more than arranging all your stuff. Discover how to make a real connection with where you live

GARDENING GUIDES Glorious Purple Blooms Bring a Crowning Touch to Gardens

Royally beautiful but mingling well with the masses, plants with purple flowers or foliage are worthy of homage in any garden

GARDENING GUIDES How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish

HOUSEPLANTS Orchids 101: How to Keep Your Moth Orchids Alive and Blooming

By Marianne Lipanovich

Growing Phalaenopsis — and getting it to flower again — is easier than you might think

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Ceanothus Pleases With Nectar and Fragrant Blooms

West Coast natives: The blue flowers of drought-tolerant ceanothus draw the eye and help support local wildlife too

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Plants for Colorful Fall Blooms in the Drought-Tolerant Garden

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Want fall color but not a big water bill? Consider these not-too-thirsty fall bloomers

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Garden Tour: A Colorful Patio Blooms in the Arizona Desert

By Vanessa Brunner

A landscape designer transforms a couple's backyard patio into a feature-packed oasis

Sponsored

More Discussions

Fertilizing in a self water pot?

5

Combine 5-1-1 And Gritty Mix?

3

Gashed caused on ponytail palm. Is it a goner?

9

Water plants exposed to the sun

1

Pine fine paralysis

3