Need advice on soil amendment for citrus tree
blazeaglory
12 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (9)
hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoblazeaglory
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Recently planted citrus trees need advice
Comments (3)I've attached some pictures of my Meyer lemon tree below. The bottom part is starting to yellow and I was wondering if it was root rot, so I poured a gallon of water mixed with 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide to see if it would help. Also, even though some leaves are yellowing and there's no new growth on top, I see some new growth sprouting all over the stem. Should I shave these off? http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/225705_10100212166423615_3430838_51710568_6586552_n.jpg http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/218170_10100212166129205_3430838_51710562_7111368_n.jpg http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224030_10100212166199065_3430838_51710563_3693171_n.jpg My clemintine mandarin tree seems to be doing real well in the same soil, so I'm . I've pinched off the new flowers before, but now it has even more new flowers. Should I pinch those off too? THanks! http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/226665_10100212166493475_3430838_51710569_1613496_n.jpg http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227124_10100212166613235_3430838_51710572_1883778_n.jpg...See MoreRoot rot with in-ground citrus; advice to re-plant in clay soil
Comments (8)I agree with Evan and John on all their advice. I think they are nitrogen starved and lacking water. Clay soil is full of lots of mineral nutrients and in CA we rarely have to add phosphorus or potassium, in fact it's not recommended to add phosphorus as it can be too much for most CA soils since there is plenty there already. However, it's almost always lacking Nitrogen. And your trees show classic nitrogen deficiency. Even though your fertilizer is for citrus, 8 is pretty low for nitrogen, at least for in the ground. At that level though you can safely feed monthly, which you may need to do. That amount of water was probably fine when it was cooler but as we are rapidly warming up all through the state, you need to up your irrigation frequency also. Unless you are watering everyday in summer, you most likely will not have root rot issues. But if you just want to be sure, get some Agri-Fos. It's the best product to combat Phytopthora. You can get it at most good garden centers. Usually once or twice a year is good, but of course always read the label. I've had good luck with it on two very old orange trees with chronic gumosis. It's stopped the progression and holds it at bay, and they've actually grown new bark and more canopy since I've been using the Agri-fos twice a year. One last thing, (sorry for the wall of text) the holes and chewed spots look like you may have had an Orange Dog Caterpillar at some time. It's pretty much the only pest that eats citrus leaves. As your trees get bigger the caterpillar is not much of a threat, but they can be hard on young trees....See MoreNew citrus trees, need advice to cure yellowing
Comments (10)Thanks everyone for pointing me towards some major causes, specific comments below: Tim - I hear you on the watering. I wish it drained better. The soil is incredibly dense clay. When it's dry, it's rock-hard, and it takes some effort with a mattock to slowly chip away. It holds moisture like nothing else (the opposite of sandy, fast-draining!). I can brush away the thin layer of bark mulch after two weeks and the soil is still damp underneath. I'm worried about root rot if I water more often, and not providing deep soaks if I cut back on the quantity to match the increased frequency. Thoughts? John - I think you are right on. The alkalinity is having a major impact. Interestingly, the iron deficiency will cause foliar absorption of other micronutrients to suffer as well. I was reading up more, and I need to find out what semi-dwarfing rootstocks these trees are on. The Meyer lemon is on a standard rootstock, and it appears really healthy and pushing out new growth (with nothing else different from the other trees). The standard rootstock tolerates slightly higher pH and salinity. The trifoliate rootstock (if that's what they're on) wants sub-6 pH if the literature is accurate, but the soil around the rootball is up around 8.5 (and the tap water is pushing 9.5). Have you connected fertigators into your irrigation system to inject vinegar at some consistent rate? Brett - Good suggestion with the Azalea/etc-type fertilizer. Long-term, I'd really like to move to almost fully organic approach to tending the trees. In the near-term, I recognize I might have to correct some serious imbalances. I'm working some Azalea fert., elemental sulfur, and (recommended by a horticulturist acquaintance who deals with the local landscapes) soil conditioner in the form of humate (which should add more sulfur/iron). Michael - I'm also planning to pick up some EDDHA chelated iron to use as a soil drench to help get the trees through their current struggle while I work on adjusting the soil. Seems the other, more common, forms of iron chelate are less effective (EDTA, HEDTA, DTPA all get bound by soil above pH 7 according to http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/m/#publication?id=SS423 ). And long-term synthetic usage is a challenge to soil ecology. Again, thank you everyone. I'll update as things adjust from these attempts to improve the conditions....See MoreTo amend soil or not for citrus trees?
Comments (14)Where I grew up in the hills of Southern Cal. we had very hard clay soil. My neighbor and I planted over 50 citrus and avocado trees between the two of us. He was actually a PHD Botanist so I never argued with him when we dug huge deep holes, amended the native soil with organic matter 50-50- hand mixed in 5 gallon buckets over and over again until the arms and back were aching! The trees grew well and the fruit was spectacular. When I moved close to the beach several years ago the soil here is more sandy and loamy as you might guess. Until you get about 22 inches down and then it might as well be bedrock! I still mix the soil as my friend taught me except now I use palm and citrus mix instead of the old sludge or nitrohumus. I don't dig the holes nearly as deep now as I learned that is really not needed. Thank goodness!...See Morehoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoblazeaglory
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoblazeaglory
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agohoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
12 years agolast modified: 9 years agoblazeaglory
12 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESHow to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy
Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESSpring Citrus Care Reaps Months of Sweet Rewards
Learn how to tend citrus trees in spring and ways to preserve their delicious fruit
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHow to Stop Worrying and Start Loving Clay Soil
Clay has many more benefits than you might imagine
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHow to Pick a Mulch — and Why Your Soil Wants It
There's more to topdressing than shredded wood. Learn about mulch types, costs and design considerations here
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGCitrus 101: Start Your Own Backyard Orchard
This Earth Day Weekend, Add Some Green, Style and Deliciousness to Your Landscape
Full StoryFARM YOUR YARDAdvice on Canyon Farming From L.A.'s Vegetable Whisperer
See how a screened garden house and raised beds help an edible garden in a Los Angeles canyon thrive
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGarden Myths to Debunk as You Dig This Fall and Rest Over Winter
Termites hate wood mulch, don’t amend soil for trees, avoid gravel in planters — and more nuggets of garden wisdom
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENSHow to Grow 10 Favorite Fruit Trees at Home
Plant a mini orchard in fall, winter or early spring to enjoy fresh-off-the-tree fruit the following year
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNPretty Trees for Patios, Paths and Other Tight Spots
Choose trees for their size, shape and rate of growth — or shape them to fit your space. Here's how to get started
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESWhen and How to Plant a Tree, and Why You Should
Trees add beauty while benefiting the environment. Learn the right way to plant one
Full Story
johnmerr