Newbie questions about siting, sunshine, pots vs. in ground

16 years ago

Hi Everyone,

Oh no... what have I done? Citrus experts, are you willing to trudge through this long post and give me your thoughts? THANKS!

So this weekend I went berserk for a bunch of varieties of dwarf citrus from Four Winds and I really don't know what to do now.

I bought an Owari Satsuma, Clementine, Meyers Lemon, and Murcott tangerine.

Here are my big issues:

1) SITING and SUNLIGHT

I initially envisioned these in large terra cotta pots on a concrete patio on the eastern side of my house. Through winter and early spring, this spot gets filtered light in the early morning (we have lots of 50+ yr old monterey pines in the neighborhood). By 10 am ish there's direct sun. It's warm sunshine by noon and stays direct and warm till about 4 pm when the sun starts to be hidden by the house. From Spring through Fall, this is a much warmer spot. Direct sunlight from about 9 am to 4-5-even 6 pm.

Will this get enough sun for dwarf citrus? Of the 4 I bought, are there some varieties that might do better in that space than others?

Or should I just forget about it?

Which leads me to my next question...

2) PLANTING IN GROUND on WEST EXPOSURE?

So, the other half of my yard gets full West, South West exposure year round. Is that an option for these dwarves?

This side of the yard has a level sod lawn with about a 3' border planting area that runs along my foundation. I was thinking that if the patio is not sunny enough, I could put at least 1 or maybe 2 of the dwarves in ground in the planting border next to the house.

But I've also read here that there are cons to planting near lawn. If I did it, I would mound up the soil and direct the sprinklers away from the citrus.

But I have also read that too much sun can scorch citrus, and that side of the house definitely get scorching afternoon sun during our hot summer and fall Indian summer. So maybe that's not the solution either?

So I'm just completely confused.

Assuming I can find the right spot for these dwarfs....

3) HOW MUCH FRUIT?

I've seen posts here that say their dwarfs put out tons of fruit. Another that say they got only 2 or 3 tangerines. My husband is a bit skeptical of the dwarf varieties... saying he can't imagine such a little thing will yield any fruit and that we are making a huge investment in pots and soil and the $25/each dwarfs. I know they smell lovely, but part of my objective is to grow things I can eat. Just wondering if they'll be worth my effort, given my site constraints.

4) CLAY SOIL

Speaking of constraints, if I go with planting in ground, we have REALLY clay-ey soil here, made worse by some recent construction that compacted the soils even more.

How deep do citrus--namely dwarf citrus--go. We tilled the clay 8ish inches, but there's probably hardpan at 12/14 inches.

THANKS for slogging through all this and providing any insights, advice, or commiseration you can offer.

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Comments (3)

birdsnblooms
16 years ago
Hi Kristi..I 'wish' I had your problem..LOL (reside in IL)
Did you have your heart set on potted or under-ground citrus?
Sounds like your balcony gets adequate light. Since it faces east, does it receive any south sun?
Is anything obstructing the upper part of your balcony? An awning or a second upper balcony?
I'd like to add, I'm NO expert, just a citrus/plant lover and grower..
In most cases, lack of sun is the issue..If you decide to plant in ground, set citrus out gradually, until they acclimate..
But honestly, citrus I keep out front,faces west, with added north and south, do far better than those out back which is semi-shaded by a big, old maple tree, facing mostly south, and additional east and north. Still they flower and fruit..since you're in Ca, have much longer seasons than us Illinoians, I'm sure your balcony will suffice.
I honestly think your balcony would do. (if you want to keep your trees in pots)
It's highly unlikely your citrus will die from lack of light on the balcony..you can always keep them there this spring/summer/fall..If results aren't to your satisfaction, plant in the yard next year.
Since your soil is mostly clay, it'll need amending. This means, digging, and re-digging. And tilling. Don't bother using a small tiller like Mantis..I have one..it works, only after sections are tilled by larger rototillers. Deep into the earth..ridding grass roots is not an easy task. I personally dislike grass-killing-agents where I intend planting, especially edibles..(that's my hangup) Poisons..uh uh..Other mediums will need to be added in the area you want to plant trees. It's a big job, but can be done..and worth the effort after the job is completed..You'll feel great..
What is 8ish soil? Do you mean it's alkaline? If so, another project ,,, bringing those numbers down..But that's just a matter of adding other mediums, blending in, and voila, a Perfect 4-6 acidic soil.
Growing citrus in pots requires similar soil, only on a much smaller scale..Again, I'm no expert, only grown a couple barely-edible citrus in the garden year round..so my experiences lie in containers. Perhaps someone from your area will chime in.
Whatever you decide, I wish you the best..believe me, citrus are worth the work, either way..Toni
kristimama
Original Author
16 years ago
Well, the more I learn the more questions I have. One of these days I'll work up the courage to actually PLANT them. HAHA.

Alright, I am realizing that I am in complete DENIAL about where to plant these lovely dwarfs. After watching the sun arc over my back patio for all of about 4 hours today, I am coming to the realization that it's not going to work. Maybe the Meyer but not the others. The front of the house is probably the only place to go because it has full western and south western exposure.

It doesn't get direct morning sun but it has direct warm sun from 11-noon all the way to sunset. I suppose I could plant a whole hedge of dwarf citrus along my entire house if my husband would let me and we could afford it... hah.

But the problem I think is that our soil here in Contra Costa County is already heavy clay... and compound that with some construction we just finished that compacted the soils something fierce, I'm not sure I want to put the citrus in the soil in those planting beds. Plus, I have read that they don't like the constant watering from lawn sprinklers.

So I think I can control the soil and moisture better with those large wine barrels scattered along the foundation. Landscaping wise, they're not the most attractive, but I guess they'll fit with my sort of "ranch style" house.

The nursery told me that it's OK to plant in those larger pots if I mix in wood chips for drainage...I'm thinking I'll also plant some trailing herbs and annual flowers.

Does that seem like a good idea?
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birdsnblooms
16 years ago
Hi Kristi...if you're unsure what to do, it's best to keep in containers. It'd be a mess if you planted in the ground, then decided it wasn't the best decision. Once roots start growing, going every-which-way, it wouldn't be wise digging up and setting in containers..
So, for the time being, choose a location and enjoy your oranges.
I've talked to ppl who use orchid bark for drainige. (along with other mediums) some ppl use Coconut husks, but I've never tried it, so haven't an opinion..
When you say 'wood chips for drainage' you don't mean the pots will be without drainage holes, right??? Plants need drainage holes, w/or w/o chips..

Trailing herbs and annual flowers? Where do you intend to plant them? In the pots w/citrus??? If so, I don't know if that'd be a good idea since citrus roots need space to grow..on the other hand, living in IL, my citrus are confined to certain size pots, therefore there's no way possible planting citrus and say an herb in the same pot. Also, depending on the herb/annual, there's a chance plants wouldn't be compatable as far as soils..
So, what will you do??? Toni

Newbie questions about siting, sunshine, pots vs. in ground

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birdsnblooms

kristimama
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Newbie questions about siting, sunshine, pots vs. in ground

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birdsnblooms

kristimamaOriginal Author

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kristimama
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