OK to re-pot Meyer if buds are breaking?

10 years ago

Hi All,
Our container Meyer needs to be re-potted but I'm not inclined to do so and miss out on those sweet smelling blossoms.

Will the root trim and transplant cause it to drop its buds?

OK to wait till it's done blooming or will this be too close to Summer? I usually begin watering 2x per day in May due to wilt.

Appreciate the advice,
SJ

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Comments (7)

johnmerr
10 years ago
I think if you are just potting up and not changing the mix, it is irrelevant when you do it; just be careful not to damage the rootball. I usually break or cut away the original container; trying to save it, usually results in root damage. Be sure to allow the flowers to set fruit before any thinning is done; pea size fruit is the best time to thin. And don't fertilize for 2-3 weeks after re-potting the lack of fertility will encourage the roots to grow looking for food. Of course, all of this advice could be wrong depending on the size, age, rootstock of your tree; and as always, if you post fotos you get more and better advice.
meyermike_1micha
10 years ago
I was wondering why you don't want to wait until the ideal time to repot, usually in the heart of spring?

Unless its for a 911, I would leave it and wait until then:-)

Mike
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jakkom
10 years ago
>>usually in the heart of spring?>>

Just curious, Mike, when is that for your area? In zone 9 depending on the proximity to the coast, 'heart of spring' can be in late February where I live, or as far out as May further north or east.
aslan89
10 years ago
Without perfect conditions I would imagine the added stress of a transplant would cause more buds to drop than typical. If you don't mind babying the plant and/or losing some buds and fruit then i'd say go ahead. I live in zone 9b in Texas and there was actually an article in the paper two days ago here that said now is the best time to plant citrus for us.

On a side note, what happened to winter? Seriously, not even a light freeze this year and its been in the 80's all week here :(
sun_junkie
Original Author
10 years ago
Sound advice Johnmerr, thanks. I've had this Meyer growing in a ~20 gal stone pot for almost 4 years. Flying Dragon root stock. Roots were trimmed last year, I think it needs new dirt though because 5-7% of leaves continue to show FE and Manganese deficiencies despite adding soil amendments.

I re-potted our two ROT Orange trees last month but didn't get to the Meyer before its budding. They're all patio trees, growing for fragrance and training for ornamental appeal. Haven't allowed any to fruit yet. Maybe next year. They're finally reaching a good height.
johnmerr
10 years ago
IMHO if you consider the "normal" phenology of the Meyer, the best time to plant/transplant/re-pot would be at least 2 to 3 weeks before what you would expect to be "Spring", or the first new growth. By doing that, you give the roots 2-3 weeks to grow looking for food; then you could give it a shot of fertilizer to boost growth and flowers. If you wait until it starts its Spring flush; and then replant, you should wait 2-3 weeks before fertilizing; so your tree will be trying to grow at the time that the roots should be trying to grow and that would result in a slower and weaker flush/bloom.
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
10 years ago
I agree with the advice given.

Best time to re-pot is in *your* particular Spring (as Mike said),
and between flushes of growth (as John said). Unless the roots are in bad repair,
you might not need to do much pruning at all.

Josh

OK to re-pot Meyer if buds are breaking?

Comments (7)

johnmerr

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OK to re-pot Meyer if buds are breaking?

Comments (7)

johnmerr

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