Thanks for the fast response! OK I understand gritty 1:1:1 soil will likely show vitality decline somewhere around year 3-4 and 6 is really pushing it. However, either: 1) my statement of "no soil change out for 3 years" was misleading suggesting it was staying in nursery pot for 1st three years I own it, or 2) your suggesting a (conservative?) transfer method of existing soil into the gritty mix. (BTW I saw threads and your/JaG replies about this topic; "How much original soil in rootball do we keep for gritty mix?" esp. when one person suggested the "two differing soil textures" when taking their entire rootball w/hard soil, without removing soil wedging, and plopping it into gritty mix. Her soil dried out and became hydroponic and water flowed right off it and then through the grit.) The citrus I purchase at the nursery are all in very loose soil (I can wash it off easily with a hose). Assuming healthy tree and roots NOT bound, I was going to bare-root it from nursery soil directly into the gritty 1:1:1 mix during mild weather dormancy. Understanding the (temporary) risk of soil shock but by spring flush they would be healthy. Unreasonable hopeful assumption? Multiple Choice Answers 1) Keep the schedule you described above, your post was accurate as-is because it's too risky to bare root. (no need to continue reading) 2) Bare-rooting in a good-soil situation in dormancy is a reasonable risk. Keep the below schedule (assuming adequate-ideal nutrients, environmental care, etc.) Year 1: Bare root into large container 1:1:1, remove all fruit. Year 2-4: Keep healthy. Limb prune for shape and aeration. Year 5 Start (or before if plant health steadily declines or soil becomes compacted): Re-pot in same container. Replace 100% gritty mix, BOTH root prune 1/3 and limb prune 1/3. Year 6: Keep healthy - minimal limb prune for shape/aeration. Year 7: BOTH Root and Limb prune 1/3. Year 8: Keep healthy - minimal limb prune for shape/aeration. Year 9: Re-pot again and BOTH Root/Limb prune 1/3. 3) None of the above. Please explain ;-) Thanks!

i would guesstimate around 65'F for night temps. and probably no more than a 20' temp change, so up to 85'F for day time.

Hello everyone, Still at it.. my trees stayed out all winter and started with a bang first of spring and have now stopped a bit. All have set fruit. My meyer has a lot of big fruit and was using up water fast even with our bay climate . It was still in its original nursery container which drained fast so I decided to pot up. I used a 5;1;1 mix as the gritty mix is just too heavy when you get up in pot sizes. The root ball of the meyer was very tight. I did not want to totally bare root it as I felt it would disturb the fruit and tree too much so I opened it a bit and washed as much old soil off with water and left the rest and hope the roots will move/grow into the new mix. I have had it in only morning sun for a week now and will move it to the sun now. It has shown no signs of shock and looks healthy. I hope I did the right thing. As for potting up I am still confused as to the many citrus I have seen in big pots here and especially in Italy that stay in the same pot for 20+ years. As my trees get big enough to be potted up to the nice terracotta pots they are now nested in I would like to eventually stop. I will keep you posted. Mike...have you had any problems with your FP crystalizing in the jugs? Dave

Laura! You are something! My mom just found a box on the porch with goodies you were too kind to send her. She LOVES them. I will be back to post these lovely plants she just put outside. Thank you so very much. Wow. She was unwrapping them like it was Christmas, like a little kid.. Many hugs to you from us both! By the way, your tree looks so happy. The mix looks great and, well of course the environment looks just perfect! I wish I had the same view that little tree does. What a fine job you did with it. I love the name of yours too! That plant will be so happy in your care, I just know it:-) Thank you for your kind words and beautiful posts. I will write you very soon. Josh: Wow man. I can't believe all the challenges your trees have had to bare! Thank goodness they have you to get them through their trials. They had better flower for you as a reward. Sounds like you have a plan for those earwigs. Nice. It should work. So far I am finding this rest to be gratifying. I just have to let go of the wondering mind that feels it has to keep up with everything, and I will be ok. It looks like it is healing good. Now my big challenge is to see my trees through the summer through the care of someone else with my direction. Citrusnut: Thank you for the uplifting words. I need that. You are right, I can sit back and enjoy for a while. I will make the best of my situation. Sounds like you have yourself some great sound effect ideas too. You have to love the sound of trickling water, not from a faucet of course..lol Good work! Thanks again all! Mike