Each time I water I water until I see the water run out of the pot. I do it winter, spring, summer, fall, it does not matter if it is 110 degrees or 40 degrees. There are roots at the bottom of the pot and if the water does not get to them then you are stressing those roots and they may die along with the tree. The fertilizer will inevitably run out of the pot, but remember, if you are fertilizing right, then you should be using fertilizer daily or at least at every 3rd watering. I think fertilizing constantly is a good idea. These are not decidous trees. They grow constsntly. Even if you don't see new leaves, branches or flower buds, does not mean the roots are not growing. Some people here will think I am crazy for saying that, and some will say that you should not feed during the winter. My keylime bloomed at least 5 times from the time I brought it in when fall started and temps went below freezing, to now. I know I would not have had my keylime bloom and set fruit if I didn't fertilize it and water the way I told you too. Andrew

Newbie, you have some special circumstances as you're on very sandy soil, and water will drain very quickly down and away from the root system. I would suggest that you head over to your local feed and orchard supply store, somewhere that supports your local ag industry, and ask them specifically the best way to water citrus in your area. Definitely NOT sprinklers that will broadcast water in typical sprinkler fashion, as John has mentioned, as citrus do not like to be hit by sprinklers or have their trunks constantly wet. And Rhizo is correct in that you'll want to be able to measure volume per watering session, and that will tell you how much you're actually applying per watering session, and see if that measures up to the recommendations from your local orchard supply center. I would follow what your commercial citrus growers are doing out your way, and that should give you the correct amount of water. That, and observing your trees for dryness (leaves folding upward), will give you a clue as to the need to water, or water more. I'm inclined to think in your area that commercial growers are using microsprinklers, probably 4 to a tree set at the trunk and pointing outward to water the feeder roots evenly, as opposed to bubblers set to flood a well, due to your extremely well draining soil. I'd think you'd probably end up with the water just soaking down around the bubbler faster than it could fill up a well, allowing for more even saturation. Betting you'll be told to use micro sprinklers. Patty S.

Fair point; this is a nice thread about the subject of mulching citrus (which also addresses those claims that they shouldn't be mulched). Most of the similar threads I have found boast replies from persons who regularly mulch their citrus with great success. I think one of biggest reasons people exhort others to not mulch them is the fear of keeping the soil too moist and giving place to the development of foot rot and other diseases. However with our sandy (good-draining) soils overmoisture is usually not an issue, and as I previously mentioned keeping the mulch away from direct contact with the trunk itself should serve to additionally discourage any foot root etc. I can only speak from my personal experience and what I have noticed with others who mulch their citrus on here and it works for them....as to the orchards perhaps they use drip irrigation or the trees are so far along that they can get by on rainfall? Growing in an orchard can be very different than growing at home, and some orchards mulch while some do not. :) Thread about mulching citrus Also a good mulching citrus thread *I should also add that this may depend on how often you water? If your citrus is regularly watered (say a couple times a week) it may not need any mulch at all. If you are trying to conserve water/reduce irrigation intervals, mulching may be in order.

Don't fertilize until the tree establishes a sturdy root system in its new site. Why do you want to you want to use hydroponic fert in the ground? Better to obtain a "garden" fert.