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key lime repotting/soil

15 years ago

This spring my key lime tree (bush type) had roots growing out the bottom of its pot. I went to HD and was advised to use Miracle Grow Moisture Control potting soil and a soil conditioner - which I did. Huge Mistake #1!

The soil stayed wet all the time. I began reading up on the different soil mixtures on this forum so I repotted the key lime using materials as close to Al's mix as I could get in my area. When I unpotted the lime tree, since this was its second repotting this spring, I was afraid disturb the root ball by taking the wet MG soil off the roots. Huge Mistake #2!

So now, my poor lime tree is in its pot with the part around the roots staying wet and the outer parts draining well. I'm reluctant to repot (cleaning off the roots) a third time this year but will if necessary. At this point, I don't want to make Huge Mistake #3.

The new leaves/stems it has put on are extremely limp. This could be from our hot weather we had in July/August maybe. I would like to get it in better shape before bringing it inside for the winter.

What should I do or should I do anything?

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Comments (2)

puglvr1
15 years ago
Not an expert, but I did a similar thing on my potted mango, appx. 20 months ago. Not telling you to do this, just sharing my experience...Like you I had mine in very wet MG soil, 10 days later the soil was still very wet(by the way I live in FL and I did this in Nov.06) What I did was removed all the wet soil because I didn't want to have wet soil on the roots and Al's mix all around it. I knew that could be disaster. All I had left was the root mass, no soil left. I repotted it in Al's mix and hoped for the best...it sulked for a while, it did take appx 6 weeks to recover, I thought at times that I had killed it, dropped a lot of leaves, but slowly it recovered and this is the tree today. All I'm saying is having wet roots and having dry soil surrounding it can't be good for the roots, IMO...

Here is the pic of that tree...Good luck!!
{{gwi:621734}}
txcactus
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you for sharing your experience. It's been very helpful! I guess the bottom line is that the MG Moisture Control is going to be a problem as long as it's in the pot. I'd better just deal with it. Thanks again!
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thanks for all the great advice guys.. as of the day of posting this the plant was repotted with better draining soil, i had already applied the bayer fruit and citrus systemic to it as well as hosed it down to get rid any stragglers around the leaves. The tree hasn't done a single thing.. no leaf drops no sadness.. no nothing.. From what I have read here a plant that is not doing anything after being repotted is a positive sign? I'm assuming its working on root growth and any new growth will appear once the newer roots have been established. Does anyone have an idea about how long, if rooting properly it will begin to show signs of improvement?
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Brian!!! How you buddy!! HUGS buddy!!!! Listen, I have been wondering how things are going? I saw what your yard will look like and now a greenhouse to boot! If there was a way to put that bar into your greenhouse, just think of the possibilities...lol Have you been able to get all your plants out of the yard? The perennials and shrubs and stuff? Then all your citrus and others.? By the way, don't forget to take Sugar with you...lol How far from your original home is this? Is the weather the same there? You must be getting very excited to get your new place all done and to set up that greenhouse..Always just on time...You will have it set up before the cold weather moves in, much earlier than you last attempt..lol You do have the plastic cover already or will the one you already have be big enough? Please, if you could, could you start a new Thread about your whole set up, the progress, pics of the trees, yard and the building process if you get time? I am thinking many here would love to be by your side when you do like me... Brian, big hugs buddy.I can only imagine the challenges that lie ahead and yet I know you will come through perfectly..You always do...Great job
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The lime is only to correct lowering of Ph caused by peat mainly. I would sometimes skip the peat part entirely especially if the bark has good amount of dust. I treat it like gritty mix and use gypsum and epsom to spike the mix initially as a Ph neutral substitute for dolomitic lime. Lime is most reactive the first few hours after it is wetted. My crude measurements showed that most of the Ph change happens within the first 24 hrs. So it should be good to go. By the way, for 511 dust to 3/8inch for bark is recommended , the gritty needs 1/8 to 1/4 inch. If you are going to bare root I would not wait too much longer. If the plant is young it is more vigorous in adjusting and that buys you a little more time.
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