Help with indoor citrus tree

7 years ago

Hi all, I have an indoor citrus tree that was started from seed over 30 years ago. My mother in law can't remember if it's orange or grapefruit; either way, the thing is not the most attractive or healthy but has managed to stay alive all this time. My husband, who is generally not in the least bit sentimental, won't let me get rid of it, so I'm looking for some help getting it to look a little less sad. It's never flowered so I don't have high expectations, I'd just like it to at least be a little more filled out.

Its about 5.5ft tall and in a 12" diameter pot. It lives in our south-facing kitchen next to the garden doors, so it gets about as much sunlight as any plant would get in our house. We live in the interior of BC, Canada, USDA zone 5, but summers are very dry and can get up to 40C/100F. I like the idea of having it outside over the summer but it hasn't been outside in years. It's basically had no love except for water in the past 10+ years.

So I guess my questions are:

1. What can I do right now to help it thrive? (Repotting, fertilizing, etc)

2. What can I do in the longer term to help it thrive? (Fertilization schedule, pruning, etc)

2. What temperatures/conditions would be safe to put it outside?

Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

O J

7 years ago

When a tree is 2.5 times higher than the container it is growing in it generally needs to be transplanted into a larger container. Use a medium that is fast draining and provides good aeration to the roots. Fertilize the tree at a very minimum of every 30 days, or more often during the growing season. A citrus trees needs 6 house a day of direct sunshine to do well. Many people on this forum use a 5-1-1 mix with perlilte.. I use a variety of the 5-1-1 mix as used here. I use 5 parts bark, 1 part peat and 1 part coarse sand - which is the number one used container mix world wide. As you care for your tree, inspect it closely approximately every two weeks for the beginnings of deficiencies, insects, etc, that way you can correct any problems quickly. Also many new growers are afraid of over watering, but with a good draining mix over watering is difficult to do. Good luck to this tree, take it under your wing and give it some good loving care and hopefully this tree can recover and begin a llong new happy life and it will repay you 10 fold in fruit .- Mother's day is Sunday.

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Comments (8)

myermike_1micha
7 years ago
What happened to the leaves? Was it left to get to dry? The what looks like a lavender plant looks to have dried out too.

That's a start....If you are not giving water at the right time, you will loose any of all your plants...Can you explain your watering practices in detail and what you think might of happened?

Could it be pests? Like spider mites? Do you know how to look for them? Are those leaves dried or is it me? Crinkly?
Megan thanked myermike_1micha
Megan
Original Author
7 years ago
The leaves are definitely dry right now. It gets watered probably twice a week but seems to go through a few cycles a year where it puts out a lot of new growth and then dies down to just a couple branches. I've never noticed any pests on it but I can check - I'm not really sure what to look for?

The other plant is a rosemary - it was outdoors in a pot last summer and brought in over the winter. Tends to be too dry inside for it to last more than a few months inside.
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Ok, as for soil, you want a soil mix that is more porous, something that when you water, will dry out in 2 days, 3 max, otherwise, your roots will rot. Whitish yellow roots are healthy, but dark yellow is a sign of rot. I would be willing to bet that your root ball there smelled like rot. Watering should only be done when the soil is almost totally dry. My best lesson when it comes to citrus, actually came from an orchid grower that I met at our local botanical garden's Orchid sale. He taught me years ago, to take a bamboo stake and to push it in until it hits the bottom of the pot. He told me to then pull it out, and press it to my cheek. If I felt any moisture, he said DO NOT WATER! He then said if the stake was almost dry(having very little to no moisture, I should water. The exact same rule applies to citrus. What I would do first if I were you, is to replace that soil! You may want to try Al's gritty mix, but if that is too complicates for you to make on your own(I had a real hard time finding all the components to make it.), I would go to a garden center or a greenhouse, and ask them what soil mixes do the sell that are god to grow cactus in, and buy that along with perlite. I would mix perlite with the soil mix at about a 50/50 ratio, and that should be much better for you. Also, make sure the pot your using has good drainage in it, and also make sure it doesn't have one of those saucers on it to collect the water that does come out. Now some will have removable saucers, and that is fine, just take it off. I hope this has helped you and good luck! Andrew
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O J
7 years ago
Your tree is in too small of a container, and is surely pot bound. It also is not, nor has it for a long time, been getting enough light. That is why it has stretched to be so tall and lanky. I believe what the tree has needed the most is some good care.
Megan thanked O J
Megan
Original Author
7 years ago
OJ - none of those things are surprising to me. I'm hoping for some specific advice as to what "good care" looks like.
Sammers510
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I am not familiar with seed grown trees personally but I have heard people mention that they need to reach a certain leaf/node count to reach maturity and produce flowers/fruit. It looks like you have been pruning it back and that will prevent it from ever getting enough leaves in its current state to start producing, basically keeping it in its juvenile state indefinitely. I was shocked when you said it was 30 years old but it was so small. I would repot it in to a pot the size of your rosemary, in a good mix, lots of us use a 5-1-1 or similar variant. start fertilizing with a good fertilizer with micros. lots of us use dyna grow foliage pro 9-3-6. A small bottle will last you a long time with only one tree. I fertilize weekly to bi-weekly through spring and summer and taper off in fall, with no fertilizer in winter. you dont mention what growing zone your in but its best if you put your tree outside for as long as your climate will allow not below 40 degrees is a good place to start. Slowly transition it out into a shaded area then a partly shaded area before full sun. That way the leaves wont burn, it will take a few weeks. All the tree needs is some good growing conditions (fresh pot and sunlight) and some food. Good luck!
Megan thanked Sammers510
myermike_1micha
7 years ago
O.j. Great advice!
myermike_1micha
7 years ago
O.j. Great advice!

Help with indoor citrus tree

O J

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