skip to main content

lemon tree container potting soil

13 years ago

I just recently purchased 2 lemon trees. I will be potting them in 12 in garden containers. I am very confused on what potting medium to use.

Can you please tell me if this would work. Fafard fof30. all organic contains 55% sphagnum peat moss, pine bark, perlite vermilculite, dolomitic limestone and gypsum. Any other ideas???

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

jean001a
13 years ago
Must be well-drained.
TheMasterGardener1
13 years ago
Yes well drained so perlite some sand/rocks. The peat is good because of it's low acidity. Sounds like you got it. The more perlite the faster the plant will grow if you keep up with ph, nutrients, and water.
Related Discussions
Mold on lemon tree container soil
Q
Comments (6)
I probably should have mentioned in my original message that I've been keeping my tree in the living room....could that be aiding the soil's prolonged dampness by not getting enough circulation? Absolutely. It's warm enough here to keep the tree outside, I just like having it inside and smelling the blossoms and lemons. Nothing wrong with that. I look forward to winter (did I actually say that????) when I can see and smell the tree indoors as well. For now, I've put it on my patio to help it dry out, and I think tomorrow I'm going to move it to CHC. Is CHC Coconut husk chips? If so please consider a faster draining mix. CHC is like peat in terms of water retention. It's great for that, but it breaks down quickly and ends up not holding enough air for optimal performance. What is your tree in now? If it is a peat based mix moving it to a CHC based mix isn't likely to help it much in terms of how long it stays wet over the course of a year.
...See More
Store bought potting soil for lemon
Q
Comments (1)
You'll find lots of opinions on this over in the citrus forum- link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Citrus Forum
...See More
Which potting soil/mix should i use for citrus in containers?
Q
Comments (4)
Aha, finally a question I can answer! (I'm new here but I've read just about every post on potting mix I could find.) Head on over to the "Container" forum and read the series of posts about this very topic from a very knowledgeable poster named Al/Tapla and the many many many other people who have had success with his potting mixes. There are also other folks who use different mixes, but there's definitely concensus about the idea of creating a fast draining but well aerated mix for containers to grow successfully long term. The key thing I've learned about potted citrus is they don't like soggy roots. Basic potting mixes have too much organic material and that not only stays wet too long, but it breaks down and collapses quickly, accelerating root rot and the poor nutrient uptake. When I got here a couple weeks ago, the idea of "home brewing" my own potting mix sounded so revolutionary and a bit crazy, and now, I'm a convert. I do a slight variation of the mix Al recommends, because I want to grow using a bit more organic material than he uses. You might also want to read his fertilizer posts... all very helpful. Good luck with your citrus! Here is a link that might be useful: Al's Container Potting Mix Post
...See More
Potting Up Meyer Lemon tree - Soil??
Q
Comments (3)
What state are you in by chance? Most homes where i live (Nebraska, Zone 5) have tinting on the windows (slight, but enough to make a difference). This results in not enough light for a citrus tree, you have to supplement. I have 1 Meyer Lemon, 1 Ponderosa Lemon, 1 Eureka Lemon, and 1 Kaffir lime tree potted that i keep under grow lights in my basement all winter long. I feed them every three months with a slow release citrus tree fertilizer, as they get pretty hungry. To pot them, I blended up Cactus potting mix, bone meal, blood meal, worm casings, and a bit of mushroom compost. They took to this really well over the summer outside, and have done pretty well over the winter, though i suspect they would prefer more light.
...See More
jojosplants
13 years ago
Hi Wineman,
As Jean said, it must be well drained. How well your soil drains will depend alot on how much bark and perlite is in it.

Sand will only cause your soil to compact over time and will affect the drainage in a very negative way.

I would like to share a post from the container forum that will give you a little better understanding on how soil in containers works. I hope you will take the time to read it before just adding this and that to your soil. It is loaded with great information!

JoJo

Here is a link that might be useful: Containers Soils~ Water movement and retention
birdsnblooms
13 years ago
Hi Wineman. My potted citrus are potted in MG Citrus/Palm/Cactus Soil, Peat, Coarse Sand, 'must be gritty, not beach sand,' and Perlite. In addition, bark and very tiny pebbles.

I've heard Fafard is a good brand, but never tried it. Good luck with your new citrus. Toni
meyermike_1micha
13 years ago
i Wineman: How are you? From what part of Mass are you from?

Fafard is a great brand next to making your own which is what I prefer to do in most cases.

Why don't you use Fafard 'nursery' mix which is composed of mostly bark and a small fraction of peat? There is also another that Rhizzo had suggested before and I can't think of it.

I am not sure of what brand you are using since I never heard of #30. From the description of it, it seems to have too many fine particles and ingredients that encourage the mix to stay wet far too long for my citrus trees liking, especially up here in New England, and one that will compact within a very short time.

All you have to do is add strained perlite and you are good to go if you find the nursery mix
I know a few that add sand to amend their mixes, but it has to be very course washed sand as Toni mentioned or it will clog up your mix as Jojo mentioned.
Sand can improve drainage in some cases, but it reduces aeration by filling valuable macro-pores in soils. Unless sand particle size is fairly uniform and/or larger than about BB size, I leave it out of soils.

Why use sand and rocks at all?

If you purchase a good potting medium that has pine bark as it's main component, at least 80% or more and adjust it a bit, then you are good to go.
If you care to invest your time into making a fine mix as Jojo has kindly pointed out to you, then let me know and I can direct you to the sources for the ingredients.

Hi Jean, Toni and Jojo!

Mike
jojosplants
13 years ago
Hi Mike!

Great information! I didn't realize wineman was in the same corner of the world as you either.
Couldn't ask for better help. ;-)

I believe the others Rhizo mentioned are in the thread in House plants, titled "Best brand of potting mixes".

wineman,
If your interested in making your own mix, I'll share a link to show you how beautiful the tree's can be!

Best wishes,
JoJo

Here is a link that might be useful: Some great looking tree's
meyermike_1micha
13 years ago
Jojo: :-))))))))))))!!!

I am excited about yours too!

Thanks for all you do here along with your comments. It is always a pleasure to see you around these parts.

Mike
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
13 years ago
If you have access to Fafard products, the 3 that deliver the best long term aeration (which is KEY, in offering the greatest potential for healthy plants, are their #3 mix, their 51L mix, or their Nursery mix.

If you can't find those, you can easily make soils that will perform even better if you're interested. The link JoJo provided above should help you get started. If you have any questions, Mike or JJ should be able to answer them, or you can ask at the thread JJ linked to.

Al

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES How to Pick a Mulch — and Why Your Soil Wants It

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

There's more to topdressing than shredded wood. Learn about mulch types, costs and design considerations here

CONTAINER GARDENS Container Garden Basics: How and When to Water Potted Plants

Confused about soil moisture, the best time to water and what watering device to use? This guide can help

GARDENING GUIDES How to Stop Worrying and Start Loving Clay Soil

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Clay has many more benefits than you might imagine

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Solutions for Soggy Soil

By Steve Asbell

If a too-wet garden is raining on your parade, try these water-loving plants and other ideas for handling all of that H2O

FARM YOUR YARD 10 Easy Edibles to Grow in Containers

By Marianne Lipanovich

These herbs, vegetables and fruits are just as happy in a pot as they are in the ground

FARM YOUR YARD How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

By Annie Thornton

Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix

CHRISTMAS TREES Last-Minute Christmas: Mini Tree in a Pot

By Jen L'Italien

Create a temporary tree with cuttings or buy a small live tree to love for years

SPRING GARDENING How to Grow a Rose Garden in Pots

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Everything can come up roses, even without a plot of soil in sight. This step-by-step guide to growing roses in containers shows you how

FALL GARDENING 5 Fall Fruits You Can Grow in Containers

Brighten your porch or patio with a potted pomegranate, kumquat, blueberry bush or another great fall fruit

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

Sponsored

More Discussions

Advice needed. Just repotted my two dying avocados in Tapla's 5-1-1

8

Flying dragon seedlings

6

Howard Martin growing citrus #33

1

In ground outside Meiwa kumquat on flying dragon

2

Productivity of kumquats and their hybrids

4