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Plz help with my grapefruit tree

notaverygreenthumb

10 years ago

My 10ish year old grapefruit tree isn't looking so great, I was hoping someone could offer some help. It seems to be very thinned out and the leaves are not a nice dark green like most citrus that I see. I recently lost 3 trees in this yard. (I know, apparently Im not very good at this tree thing). I lost a peach, nectarine and plum, all were around 10-12 years old. My lemon tree is the only one that seems to be doing great.
I recently painted the trunk of the grapefruit and put down some 'citrus and avacado' fertilizer. The tree gets watered by the sprinklers and I try to give it a good drink with the hose once a week in the summer and once every other week in the winter. Thanks to anyone that might offer some insight. Im in Phoenix, AZ

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Comment (1)

hoosierquilt USDA 10A Sunset 23 Vista CA
10 years ago
Well, you need to fertilize regularly, 3 to 4 applications from February through about September in your area. Be sure you apply the fertilizer at the drip line (edge of the canopy) and not at the trunk. Water your tree well, apply the fertilizer, then water in. Sprinklers should not be hitting your tree at all, you should have your tree on micro-sprinklers pointed out away from the trunk, and spraying out at the drip line. Prune out any dead wood from inside the tree (this is not unusual for older citrus to develop dead wood inside the canopy), and prune very lightly for shape. If the tree is getting too tall, drop crotch prune your tree to bring down the height (Google drop crotch pruning, and you'll see how it's done, or call a GOOD tree trimming specialist and ask them to drop crotch prune your tree to bring down the height). Painting the trunk with a 1/2 strength flat white latex house paint in your area is a good idea, due to your intense sun.

Patty S.

Here is a link that might be useful: Citrus in AZ
0
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