Recently planted citrus trees need advice

12 years ago

Hi, I recently planted two 5-gallon citrus trees. One was a meyer lemon and the other was some kind of clementine. I dug a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the container and mixed in some steer manure with the local soil. (I recently found out that I wasn't supposed to do that...) I then covered up the soil with some mulch and kept a 3" radius around the tree trunk free of mulch. I watered the tree down afterwards.

The trees had a bunch of flowers on it when I planted it, so I pinched them all off thinking that it would help the tree establish a better root system for the first year. Here's where I need help.

It's been two weeks now and the clementine took off and is sprouting a whole bunch of new leaves. Now it looks like it may be sprouting flowers again. Should I pinch them off or let them grow this time? The meyer lemon tree, however, isn't doing anything. The leaves aren't as dark green as the clementine and there aren't any signs of new growth, so it bothers me. I didn't know what else to do so I added maybe just a bit of 6-4-6 granular fertilizer today to see if it would do anything. What should I do to jump start the tree?

Thanks.

Comments (3)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
12 years ago
Newly planted trees shouldn't be 'jump started'. They need to be allowed to establish a new root system in the native soil, out of the hole you've prepared. Hopefully, the roots are busy doing that and not staying confined within the amended area. Your plants were already fertilized when you added the manure to the hole...didn't need any more.

Containerized plants can take longer to establish and can be more challenging than field dug trees, believe it or not. So patience is important.

Make extra certain that your watering efforts are directed to that root ball. I've seen container grown plants die because their roots were allowed to become bone dry. The soil outside of the root ball might be soaked but all of those congested roots must have ample water.
aznboi385
Original Author
12 years ago
I've attached some pictures of my Meyer lemon tree below. The bottom part is starting to yellow and I was wondering if it was root rot, so I poured a gallon of water mixed with 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide to see if it would help. Also, even though some leaves are yellowing and there's no new growth on top, I see some new growth sprouting all over the stem. Should I shave these off?
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/225705_10100212166423615_3430838_51710568_6586552_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/218170_10100212166129205_3430838_51710562_7111368_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224030_10100212166199065_3430838_51710563_3693171_n.jpg

My clemintine mandarin tree seems to be doing real well in the same soil, so I'm . I've pinched off the new flowers before, but now it has even more new flowers. Should I pinch those off too? THanks!
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/226665_10100212166493475_3430838_51710569_1613496_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227124_10100212166613235_3430838_51710572_1883778_n.jpg
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thisisme
12 years ago
aznboi385 there is no need to ever pinch off any flowers on any citrus tree.

You can grow your trees like a bush which is their natural form or like a tree. If you want them to grow like a bush let the lower new growth be. If you want them to grow like trees then clip off the new lower growth on the trunk.

Stop already with the hydrogen peroxide. If it is root rot it won't help. Hydrogen peroxide is used for things like powdery mildew. The two are totally different.

Just calm down and let your trees grow. Its all natural; your tree know what they are doing. If they start turning yellow or brown or if bugs start eating them then there will be something for you to do.

I'm sure some one more knowledgeable than I will come along and give you advice on fertilizing your new trees. For now your trees look fine so don't do anything to mess them up.