Hey Mike,
Your going to have to wait on my pics. All I have for a working camera is are IPAD2. Did you see where I ended up ordering the variegated Pink lemon and the Page mandarin from four winds? I am really excited about these.

Your citrus always look so happy! That little 'Robertson Navel' is that from Logees? I'm envious of your orchids. All I can grow here is Phaelenopsis, otherwise, they would have to go under my HPS light and I only have so much room right now. Hopefully by this fall I will have a few more lights up and I can have more room for orchids.

thanks for sharing! This makes me excited for my new shipment and also has me looking forward to my tree's futures!

andrew

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Love the orchids, Mike!! Thanks for the picture show. Your work mates must love you to pieces!

Patty S.

Hey Mike,
The first pics you have there of the variegated citrus...is that the variegated pink lemon? I saw a small yellow fruit so I am assuming it is?

I also was wondering about the 2 citrus with orange fruits? The first I thought looked like calomondin but the 2nd is that some sort of mandarin?

I also wanted to ask you about that new citrus you bought. I cannot find the post where you talk about it. I know you said you paid $38 for an 8 in. tree. I was wondering what kind it was and where you bought it from.

Thanks,
Andrew

Hi guys,

Mike, thanks for posting your defoliated citrus photos. Gives me hope for my Meyer! Not too much growth yet on the others, but there are signs of stirrings.

Defoliated Meyer:
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In-ground IML#3: Seems like there are thousands(!) of baby Meyer lemons on this tree, all about same size.
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In-ground IML#2: There's more variable sized lemons on this tree, which is only a few feet from the former! Anyone know why this is the case?
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Trovita orange:
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Oh, and here's a pic of my Cattleya 'Jack Cole' orchid. Only 9 flowers this year:
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Tim

HEy Tim,
WOW THAT CATTLEYA IS AWESOME!!! I love the white and yellow. Is it fragrant? I really want to grow some of these. Nice looking citrus.

Andrew

Hi, Andrew!

Thank you, you are too kind.

The Cattleya orchid kinda does it's own thing really. All I do is place it year round by a corner East/Southwest window and water once/week. I can't even remember the last time I fertilized, and it's done the same flowering thing every year for the last 15 or so years now (been in the same 1 1/2 ft-diameter pot for about half that time). I garden by 'Natural Selection', and it's my longest surviving orchid yet, LOL.

I got kinda worried of losing the guy, so last year took 3 cuttings and repotted separately. Now that has a couple flowers as well!

It's hard for me to describe the smell. Just very, very sweet, strong, and "Spring-smelling", and it completely fills the entire room (but only during the day)! I like to think that it smells as it looks. :-)

Tim

Hello!

Time for an update on a couple of my girls ;-)
Although a mild Winter overall (no snow accumulation), we had enough nights in the 20F's and below
that there was some superficial damage to my citrus in the cold-frame. Mostly freeze-blanched leaves
on the Moro; but the variegated Lemon lost leaves and a few skinny branch-tips, as well.

And so, first up, my variegated Pink Eureka Lemon, looking a bit dull and hollow:

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Second up, my Moro Blood Orange, also showing some of those blanched leaves:

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But here's the good news - new growth where the leaves dropped. I might finally get a few
branches growing in the desired direction now and helping to fill in the tree:

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And for good measure....here's a shot of the 'Josh Green' Orchid:

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Josh

Wow guys!! just awesome~GREAT pictures everyone!Love them all.

Mike, you have enough Citrus to open up a Nursery,lol...
"Mike's Citrus Nursery" :o) Fantastic , healthy specimens you have. Great job as always!!

Love the Hummel and the Orchids as well...beautiful!!

HEy Josh,
First of all...that orchid is AWESOME! You guys are going to have me collecting cattleya now...thanks that's all I need now! LOL!

Did you read my post yesterday? I ended up caving in and I ordered from Four Winds again. This time I bought...DRUM ROLL PLEASE....A VARIEGATED PINK LEMON TREE AND A PAGE MANDARIN!

Yeah I was tired of seeing all you guys(and gals) having so much fun with your V.P.L. so I had to buy one myself. The Page mandarin was not my first choice but one of my tropical fruit growing buddies from FL had highly recommended it. I was trying to get a 1-2 yr old Minneola tangelo but Four Winds didn't have any. That's the 2nd time I have tried ordering it from them and they were out.

I am thinking I am going to see if Potratz(where I get most of my citrus locally) can order it in for me. I will get a good price on it and I can also get it in a larger pot size.

IS your orchid fragrant Josh?

Hi Tim,
I am going to have to see if I can find any resources for this 'Jack Cole' orchid. I have never heard of it before but I really like the colors of this orchid. Add in fragrance and I am sold! I suppose you wouldn't remember where you found it?

Andrew

Hi everyone, nice to see the pics I'll get some done later on (light permitting).

I'm afraid I think I've killed both my limes, one I left in my greenhouse and I think it was too damp and the leaves are mouldy and yellow, no major frost damage so possibly it'll pull through *crosses fingers*.

My new Red Lime though.... It's looking bad I left it outside when it snowed and although I don't think it was that cold really, most of the branch are brown and crunchy, it's got a bit of green, but it's been inside a while now and its not had any new growth, and any leaves left are browning and crunchy. :(

Regards
Nick

Thanks everybody! I do have to say it is a HUGE challenge to make sure they stay looking that way every time they have to come in and beyond in containers, but it does get easier in time. So any growing in containers can take comfort in knowing that if we do it all the way up here in this cruddy cold region, anyone can:-)

The key is to make sure you start off with a good mix, followed by a good watering and fertilizer regimend.
After that comes making sure you have NO pest at all.
Then light and heat come into play!

Pug! Hello and thanks so much. This is about as close I will get to Florida for quite a while:-( Miss you.
Lol, don't laugh..But do you know how many people have told me I should sell a few on E-bay and or sell cuttings?
I may have another Jade for you this summer by the way:-)

Andrew, how are ya!? Those are both Calamondin fruit. I saved those from the refuse pile for 5 bucks last fall.
You know, that is a good question about that new Manderine? I forgot to take pics of it. It's small, but boy nice. I will. I got it at Logee's.
By the way, still waiting for your pics.:-)

Tim! Superb!@! Leave it in full sun and make sure your waterings are almost precise. In your area, you can make just about anything grow! You should try figs. Yum:-0)
Now Tim, where in the world did you get that Orchid!? Is it fragrant? Who cares if it is anyhow, I want one.lol
Seriously, where? Between yours and Josh, I'd be quite happy. you know my friend Andrew and I really want one, if I know Andrew.

Josh, after everything they have been through, they are holding up very well in fact, they are looking nice. Look at all that new growth about to explode!
When mine are defoliated for whatever reason, they always come back in full flush with added branches for fullness.
This year, I am going to cut back a couple almost back to the main trunk. A GUTSY move I must say and for that reason I will need your support, that is if you are willing to?-)
I can't wait to see updated pics of yours once your trees regain their richness as they always do Josh.:-)

Patty! Now between you and Nancy, you know how much a compliment means from you. Coming from a region where you know what prestine citrus trees are suppose to look like, and from one who grows as so, it means a lot. Thank you
:-)))))

Andrew, you are way to funny! You always have a way of brightening up my day and today I certainly needed it.lol
Now, you shall have to copy every plant I have, since if you are mssing one, you MIGHT miss out!lol
I beat you to the punch. I knew it. I spent over an hour looking for that one and couldn't find it:-(
If you do, please let me know buddy:-)

Take care all. If only took me over an hour to respond here. Work is crazy today.

Mike

Hi guys,

Josh:
Based on your initial description, I was expecting to see a LOT more damage to your citrus (I love that Moro, BTW!), but am happy to see it's not the case. Also, I love the color on your Cattleya! You wouldn't have the exact hybrid name would you?

Andrew & Mike:
I just looked at the tag (evidently I'm a good tag saver!) and it says it's from Hamilton Orchids in Marin. I definitely bought it from them at the San Francisco Orchid Show 15 years ago or so, and as you can see from the link to the last show just at the end of Feb., they're still around! I don't know if they still propagate, but by all means do inquire. Someone on-line says its a Cattleya from the 50's, but can't seem to find more info. If you do get it, you'll LOVE the smell - sorta like a cross between a sweet and strong smelling jasmine, gardenia, and sandalwood.

Tim

Here is a link that might be useful: San Francisco Orchid Show & Sale

Good evening, Nancy, Andrew, Nick, Mike, and Tim!

It was a warm day...too bad I was indoors teaching Julius Caeser to Sophomores! ;-)
At least I was able to get my trees out for a few hours this afternoon. Temperature hit 75F!
That's the warmest day so far. Tomorrow, of course, temps drop back down into the 50F's.....

Nancy, maybe we could see a few of your lovely citrus, too? ;-D

Andrew, I'm stoked to see your variegated Pink Lemon! I agree, it's a 'must have' item.
My Orchid is fragrant, yes. It is a very sweet smell. This is the first bloom I've seen.

Nick, I'm sure we're all crossing our fingers for you. I'm sorry that it's been a rotten winter.

Cheers, Mike, you bet I'll support you if you want to make some hard cuts to your trees.
Remember, we also need to consider how to chop that Trident Maple. My Trident is already
re-potted and chopped way down.

Thanks, Tim! Overall, the cold-frame does a decent job of keeping out the worst of the Winter....
But some cosmetic/superficial damage is inevitable, unless I take it to the next level and provide
a source of heat on a timer. I have a small heater for that purpose, so I'm ready for next Winter.

As for the Orchid, I do have the exact hybrid name!

STELLAMIZUTAARA (Brassavola x Cattleya x Laelia x Broughtonia). Josh Green 'Kaaawa'

And I also have this note on the crossing: Ctna Maui Maid x Bc Donna Kimura

Also, here's a link to a Thread from when I first received the Orchid, to the first bloom.

My first Orchid! (pics)

Josh

Josh,

Your 'personal' orchid is just about the COOLEST thing I've seen in a while, and gorgeous as well!!! I also like the one named after your mother. These wouldn't happen to be sold commercially, would they?

Tim

Hey, Mike. I forgot to tell you that your 'Jack Cole' orchid is other-worldly! That is one of the most beautiful orchids I've ever seen! I'll snap a photo of one of my orchids that just finally sent up a bloom stock. I bought it two years ago at the Carlsbad Flower Fields, when they have the Orchid Society there. I had to have everyone drag me out of there. It was potentially dangerous to my checking account, lol!! But, I did go home with these two really gorgeous Cymbidiums that have these cool chocolate brown flowers. Cymbidiums grow every well in the coastal San Diego area outside, so I put them in big pots in the shade of two large Queen palms. I'll snap a photor two tomorrow so you can see. The bloom stalk is somewhat obscured by a Sago palm, so I'll try to pull the Sago aside to snap some pics of these really pretty orchids, and hopefully I can keep the snails away. That's really the only issue for us in growing orchids outside, snails can strip the flowers completely in one night :-(

Patty S.

Thanks, Tim!
My grandpa does sell Orchids from his website.
I believe the 'Josh Green' is available - listed, at least. I'm not sure if my mother's
is available. My grandpa said he sold two flasks of the 'Josh Green' about 15 years ago,
so it's possible that those two growers spread them out into the market, as well.

Josh

hey Everyone hope all is well.

Mike, Are you sure your trees arent fake,LOL they always looks so awesome. Exactly how I would want mine to look. Great job!!

Josh Tim thanks for the wonderful pictures.

Mike

Mike, here is the bloom stalk from one of my two cymbidiums growing outside my kitchen, under the canopy of my big Queen palms. It is simply called, "Burgundy", but it is so pretty. The photo makes it look much redder than it really is. It is more of a chocolate color. I was so surprised to see the bloom stalk and almost missed it under the large Sago next to this orchid. I'm hoping the other 'Burgundy' orchid next to it also sends up some blooms soon:
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Patty S.

Okay. Guess I didn't look hard enough! Yea for me :-) My other 'Burgundy' Cymbidium has a lovely bloom stalk as well!!

Mike, I really admire your gardening prowess. I don't have to do half of what you have to do, to get such lovely citrus, orchids, jades, and all the things you are growing. These cymbiums get watered when I remember, fertilized maybe once a year, and some snail bait. That's it. They are in the right place apparently, and are doing splendidly despite my neglect, lol!

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Patty S.

Yikes!!! Where to begin? lol

First off, PATTY!!! I didn't even know you had such beautiful orchids, let alone citrus! Yahoo.:-) Those are magnificent. What the hey? Oh Patty, not only Citrus heaven, but Orchid heaven too. Boy do I wish I could live in your area. But then too, I have friends that live out there and haven't got a green thumb like you or Josh. So that tells me no matter how ripe the conditions are, you STILL have to know what you are doing and have to have a gift.

I think of the citrus just a few yards away from you not doing good at all. I think of all my friends plants that are yellow, small fruited, full of bugs and surrounded by weeds, and yet when I think of yours, well than I know we can not give living in your area as much credit as many would like to give. I know you have a gift and you are a chalk full of information just excited to share here, and I as well as others appreciate it so much!

Neglect?????? I have a feeling you have a little to do with their splendor. Maybe we should say that you don't baby them to the point of death.lol

Wait, just as soon as I refreshed, up came your second set of photos. Wow! Look at that:-))) Nice Patty. You must love your yard and your plants. It must make you smile and give you a rest bit from any stresses that come your way, they would me for sure. And that pool, welllllll

Mike!! You are getting there! It has been a joy to know you and see you come so far from when I first met you. Andrew too! He has made such strides in his growing abilities to the point that he is planting a tropical garden in his home.
Seriously, I have see yours recently and you are doing a fine job. Keep it up.

Josh, there is NO other like your Orchid to be found. That is so special and see it doing so well as it is, is a testament to your growing skills and ability to help others! After all, you did help me with mine:-) I love that color.
THat was very kind of your Father, and I LOVE that thread from the beginning to recent on your Orchid.

Tim, thanks but NO go:0(((((( I have looked high and low and found nothing! If you find one for Andrew or me, well then, I will send you a free citrus from Four Winds, how's that for an offer?
Josh, we can't find one like yours though for sure:-(

Nick, how in the world did I miss your post? I am so sorry about that.

Yes, I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Do you have a fan blowing in your greenhouse to move the air so everything will dry out and stay mold free? It helps a lot. Good to see you around again. I hope all is well with you there across the pond.:-)

P.s Please excuse the typos as usual, I had to go. Take care

Mike

Thank you Patty.

Hey everyone. Well spring/summer is here and about 2 weeks early but Im not complaining. Our 10 day forecast has highs in the upper to low 70's and 80's with overnight lows in the mid 50's to lower 60's with a few chances of rain more like thunderstorms here. Absolutely beautiful weather. Except for the wind steady at 10-20 mph everyday. Everything is out of the greenhouse and waking up nicely.

citrus, Im a a bit embarrassed to show these pics so please dont laugh at the bigger trees they didnt do to well this winter, not exactly sure why, they got the same treatment as the smaller ones that are doing great. Many of them are in need of a re-pot. I ran out of Foliage Pro and used MG to get by. Hopefully when I can get more they will green and leaf back up.
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plumeria waking up, pineapple, a dwarf cavendish banana pup, colocasia thailand giant trying to wake up, hibiscus on the right and a baby grapefruit seedling in the middle
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and a bonus. My musa basjoo banana's that got nothing but leaf litter for protection appear to pushing out new growth from the middle. so excited for these The biggest one got to about 10' tall last year. I wish I had saved more of the P-stem.
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Mike

Mike: What's wrong with them and what do you have to be embarassed about? I think they look great! Coming out from winter they could look a lot worst. I am proud of you Mike:-)

By the way. My weather is very strange! Because I live so close to Maine, it can be 35 one day then the 60's for several. I hate that. Yesterday it was 74 and now today, 46. It stinks. No consistenly warm weather. By the weekend, 70's again!

Where did you get that Musa!? Wow. Where can I get one Mike. I left my Figs out this winter and made sure to cover them well, and they SURVIVED buddy! I would liek to try a musa:-)Do you get bananas? The Plumies are coming alive. Great! I can't wait to see what colors they will be and whether they will flower.
WARNING, WARNING! Watch for thrips and spider mites as soon as the leaves come out. In fact, spray with soapy water and a bit of alchohol every week until the natural perdators can handle them.

Mike

Hey, Mike and Mike! ;-)

Mike Smith, your trees aren't looking too bad! Mine lost a few leaves over the Winter, too...
but those leaves will grow back as the warm weather arrives.

How are you providing Calcium and Magnesium now that you're using the Miracle Grow ferts?

I have my Avocado sitting out in the 55°F rain right now. I think I'll take my Ponderosa lemon
out, as well...knock off a few spider mites ;-)

Josh

Youre too kind mike, Yes considering what they could look like I guess I shouldnt be too embarassed but still I have higher standards i guess LOL.

I got the Musa at a local nursery, the picture below shows how big the mother plant was when I got it. This was in april 2011. It eventually got to about 10' made about 10 pups, 2 of which are in the pic i posted early, 1 I removed and keep through the winter incase these died and the others I didnt have luck keeping alive. During the summer It was growing a new leaf every 4-5 days. No It didnt fruit but maybe this year since the corm is so big.
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this pic was in july you can see the growth it made in just 3 months. For some reason I cant find any pics of it at the end of the summer but it keep growing all the way to october.
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Thanks for the advice on the plumies, I really want the little one to flower since I have no idea what it is.

Mike

hey josh

just noticed your post snuck in while i was typing. I think thats part of my problem is I havent been providing the Calcium. I have epsom salts that I have been adding but I really have no idea how much to use so It may be to little and without the Calcium its probably pointless.

i think another part of the problem is i re-potted the big ones last may, then we had the hottest driest summer on record and with our windy days they really struggled to recover. Hopefully this year they will bounce back. but on the other hand my smaller ones got re-potted the same time, endured the same climate both outside, and in the greenhouse and they are doing wonderfully so im a bit confused. Im ordering some FP next week.

Thanks for the comments.

mike

Hey, Mike!
Do you have any Dolomitic Garden Lime?

Josh

Josh

I dont have any but it readily available pretty much everywhere here. I have only noticed the pellet kind and I never bought any because I thought that was the wrong kind.

How much of it and the epsom salt would I need to use?

Mike

Hey Josh and Mike!

Mike, your garden is beautiful. I hope it does well this summer too. What concerns me is how warm it has been so early.
Keep the pests off your plumies and use a safe spray so you will get flowers. If you don't, without even knowing it, they will force your flowers to abort even before you notice damage on the leaves. I can't wait to see what you get.

You won't need epsom salt with the lime Mike. We'll let Josh explain before you head off to the store. We'll give Josh a chance to wake up.lol

Have a great day all!

Mike

thanks mike. I plan to expand it around the corner this year and add some islands in the yard. My idea is to have bananas all over the place. LOL.

Sometimes I forget josh, patty, tim and others are way out there on pacific time. Mine and your days are almost done before they roll out of bed, LOL

Just kidding Guys, please dont be mad you all are great!

Mike

Haha! Very funny!
I get up at 5:30am every morning, and then I head off to work ;-)

Mike Smith, I prefer the powdered Dolomitic Lime, but Al has said that the pelletized (prilled)
form works fine, as well. I might try crushing the pellets to see what happens.

I would scratch about a Teaspoon of Lime into the top of the container mix, distributed evenly,
then put some mix over the Lime and water it in. This will raise the pH, so take that into
consideration, too.

If you have Gypsum, you could add that in the same fashion...but then you'd need to add
the 1/8 Teaspoon of Epsom Salts per gallon of fertigation solution (to supply the Magnesium).

Some folks mix Lime and white Vinegar to make Calcium Acetate, but I don't know how to
dose that properly.

Josh

Well I got some lime. Anyways now I have a gritty mix 911. These trees are in it with a 1" layer of pine mulch on top. I always prewater before I fertilize and when I pulled back the mulch to put down the lime I noticed the mix was bone dry. I flushed each for a good 10 minutes and they are still a bit hydrophobic. I noticed my smaller trees get this way also. Its like the water just flows through past all the mix. This could be a big part of my problem. They are thirsty as can be.

Mike

Good morning guys! Mike your musas look awesome! I too have one in my front yard. I am hoping to create a more "tropicalesque" garden this year. I didn't protect my musa 'basjoo' all winter and it looks like it's still firm and will be off and growing shortly.

meyer Mike, when you have some free time, email me and I will helpo you find a 'basjoo'. One thing you should know is that this is an ornamental banana. I have heard that it can produce edible fruit but it's VERY unlikely.

Soon I too will be dragging all my plumeria outdoors. I have an info with buds on my 'Sariah Curly Pink'. I cannot wait to see this as the flowers remind me of the ribbon you curl with scissors. It truly is a beauty! Man, all 50+ I will need some volunteers to help me...anyone..anyone? LOL!

My brugmansias are waking up in the basement, my figs are beginning to fruit, and my CITRUS..so fragrant. Am I not the worst at taking pics and posting them? LOL!

Take care,
Andrew

Thanks Andrew, My hope is that the 3 large corms that are coming back to life will get huge this year.

Ok so Im pretty convinced that part of my trees problems are the fact that they just are thirsty. I ran the hose on these for a good 10 minutes each all while poking holes and mix up the mix a bit and they are still boned dry. My worry is that this could happen again in the heat of the summer and do some real damage. This weekend Im going to set them in a big tub and let them soak and see if I can get them to break the hydrophobia.
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if that doesnt work Im switching back to the 5.1.1. before summer hits.

Mike.

Mike, try watering with tepid/lukewarm water.

And don't let your Gritty Mix go dry. Keep it moist.

Josh

Thanks Josh Ill try that.

My fear of root rot probably kept me from water often enough this winter. If I didnt like a good challenge Id give up on growing these trees, LOL.

Mike

nice plants everyone, here's some of mine

N-33 navel
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Cara Cara Pink navel
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Moro Blood, no blooms yet, lots of flushing
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Josh, Mike

Here is what I came up with to hopefully solve the hydrophia, I added a scope or two of fertilizer just for kicks. this could be my new way of fertilizing I cant stand to see the ferts just flow out the drain holes. I let them all soak for about 10 minutes and it seemed to do the trick.

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Bonus pics
Meyer and Naval blooms because they look so nice.
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anyways the weather is staying pretty warm. Its raining now and we are expecting 1-3"s here. Lows are staying above 50 but the sun isnt supposed to come out till thursday/friday so I may bring the citrus back into the greenhouse so they dont drown. Plumies and others went in yesterday for the same reason.

Have a good day
Mike

Oh wow!

Mike, look at those blooms and Andrew, if you can hook me up with a Basjoo, please do:-)!!
I took tarps of my Figs trees and they made it this winter! I can only imagine how well the bananas will do!

Mike, those blooms are beautiful. I can smell them from here, oh wait, that is the fragrance from mines coming from outside into the house.lol
Mike, if I got three days of rain, my citrus would thrive in that!
I see you are having an issue with your gritty mix. What do you use to water your mix with all winter? Please let me know, ok?
That would explain the leaf drop too.
Nice Mike!

Hello Andrew! It's so good to hear your plumie made it. Yahoo...PICS PLEASE.lool Thank you Andrew for your mail:-)

Josh, great suggestion, the luke warm water. Very nice suggestion:-)
Has it stopped raining, well, snowing there yet? Wow, and I thought we were suppose to get more snow than you, not heat! Strange weather, right? How are your trees faring?

Houston! I LOVE all your trees. I see a Mango and a few Figs:-) They are all looking pretty good there. I was wondering if you used protection for them this year or at least was prepared? I remember last year was brutal on your trees. Looking very nice and thank you fro sharing your pics.

Do you like containers better than in-ground? You have lots of them and very nice.

Mike, by the way, very good idea to bring those plants inside. They are vulnerable to root rot for sure with that much rain and cool temps.

Mike:-)

we had a very mild winter this year, i moved my plants to the patio, during the fews days of freezing temps i covered them with large frost blankets.

the little mango trees are seedlings from last year. i have 3 named trees, i need to take pics of.

the fig is a cutting i got from my aunt last year. its a noid, but supposed to be large 2" figs. the papayas were started from seeds last year, and i will be planting them in ground soon.

Hey Mike

Im not sure if you are asking "how" or "what" so Ill answer both LOL

I use a pump up sprayer with luke warm water because it makes it easier to reach in and around all the trees. Im sure its not the best and I know I under watered these,obviously. I was just afraid to overwater.

Ok officially in my city we have had 4.33"s of rain since this time yesterday and the forecast is for more all day. I trounced through the rain and lake of a back yard moving everything back into the greenhouse to dry up. My backyard is so saturated that every step i took I sunk about 2" down.
This is the beauty of Oklahoma, we get nothing in moderation.

Have a great day everyone.
Mike

Hello, everyone!

Thought I'd sneak in an update on the citrus. Winter left them looking haggard and pale (outdoor plants),
but the indoor citrus - Ponderosa lemon and Pomelo seedlings - are healthy and green and growing fine.
Last night was the first night I've left the Moro blood orange and the variegated Eureka lemon out of the
cold-frame - temps stayed above 50°F due to a good cloud cover.

All the citrus together on the back deck:

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Ponderosa lemon about to bloom:

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Pomelo seedlings:

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Hey Josh! Not bad buddy! Looking great and good, then again great:-)

I am so glad they made yet another winter! I am particularly fond of the Ponderosa! Look at the buds and the growth. They all seem pest free too, I love it.

Josh, the comparison pictures from the trees in the cold verses the ones in a more stabel warm temp teaches us a lesson that nutrients are much more readily available when temps are sustained at above 50 degrees in potted plants.

Those others will green out in no time buddy, since you are good about fertilizing and as the temps warm up! I think Patty here has also has some green color loss due to the cooler temps.

Please keep us updated. I love this:-)

Mike

Wow, these all look great.
Mike: that variegated lemon looks GREAT! Man I need to get one of those!
Mike: that banana is really neat! Never tried any fruiting trees but citrus and apple...hmm...
Tim: that orchid is real cool. I'm too nervous to defoliate one of my trees like that!
Josh: that ponderosa looks great, and so do your seedlings.
I take all my pictures at night because my camera doesn't perform as well in daytime, so...
Here we go:
Group shot of my outdoor plants:
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Group shot of my succulents, except a few rooting ones:
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My second meyer lemon bloomed recently:
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I hand pollinated what the bees didn't get to, and here's what I kept:
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Four baby lemons, my first.
My first meyer lemon, now 3 years old.
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A few leaves are turned back from wind.
Flowering begonia and a flowering cayenne pepper, and a non flowering pepper
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Three lemon seedlings and my jade
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A rosemary and a blooming lavender:
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One of my favorites: Lemon Balm, I have lots of this in many different places in my yard.
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And my jade, with a bloom bud and the tips of the leaves beginning to redden.
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This is all my plants, except for several more herbs, a large rubber tree plant, wormwood, foxglove, my elephant ears, and all my african violets.

Andrew

Hello Andrew! Where have you been?

You were missed and what a surprise to see you post these pics. Thank you so much. They are beautiful and look at those flowers. Yahoo, right?

New growth on your Jades..Not bad:-)

Mike

I have been lurking, but with everything flowering, I couldn't resist posting.
The flowers were very exciting. When they all opened, you could smell them as soon as you walked in the room, it was great!
I got that jade from a cutting from one of my grandmother's friends. I had it for maybe a month or so after it had rooted, and it still hadn't grown, so I used a chemical, Kiki Grow,that has some hormome that promotes node growth that is made for orchids that I use on my african violets, and I previously used to get my cayenne to branch, and my rubber tree to branch, it works pretty good, and four days after I put it on, that growth started. It's pretty sticky though, so I think it prevented that leaf's tip from developing right. I think it was worth it though, because now it is continuing to grow, and it is putting out a flower there too, and no where else.

Hello Everyone,
Have not been on the forum. Sorry to be such a selfish member. You know, only posting when in need of help. Well I have to make time for more reading and posting. Miss you all. I just want to say thank you sooo much to all. I have not taken pics but my citrus are doing almost picture perfect. The leafless almost dead meyer that went in to an unscreened
quickly mixed 511 is like a different tree and all others are doing great too. I will say the satsuma that I put the most time into as it is in the gritty mix is doing good buy not as robust looking as the lemons. Just wanted to say hello and I will try and get pics on here soon.

Hello Dave! so good to see you. That is awefully humbling of you.

It is awesome to hear that your citrus are doing that well. I remember when I first met you and how hard you wanted to take good care of your trees, and you have done it! My hats off to you buddy!

Andrew, great job too..

Mike