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| Hi,
I have a patio Dwarf Citura Tangerine and I am having trouble getting it to grow. Maybe I should be happy that it has not died...it's fine...it's happy not growing it seems. I place it in the recommended light in the summer and water it as needed, not soaking it. In the winter I bring it into the office and place it behind some other plants where I have a flourescent plant light, and I mist it, so it's not getting bright unfiltered light. I water it as needed and use the citrus/cactus mix for soil. When I first got the plant in the mail a couple years ago it had 8 leaves and was just a few inches tall. Now it is probably 5-6 inches wide and 6-7 inches tall. And it's a sparse plant. I looked up pruning to see if that might generate new growth and that looks like it's not the answer. Any ideas on how I can get my plant to grow, branch and leaf out? I'm starting to give up on the idea of fresh tangerines. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| You don't mention fertilizer. A good balanced citrus food applied according to label several times per year is essential for growth; without food, the plant will just stay as it is as long as it can survive. |
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- Posted by Forest-fan 8a SC (My Page) on Wed, Dec 14, 11 at 10:51
| Johnmerr, This is the only plant that I use Miracle Grow soil with. It is the only way that I could get it to grow. I thought that since there is fertilizer in the Cactus/Citrus Miracle Grow soil that I cannot add any? Maybe I should scrap that soil and fertilize. What do you suggest? Thanks! |
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| I am not a container expert; but there are lots of them here who can give you advice. I am not a big fan of any of the Miracle Grow products; but that is a personal bias; I do know that whatever fert was in your mix has been used up long ago. Don't worry about changing the mix, if your plant is happy; but DO get some citrus fert and begin a regular application. I think you will see your plant begin to grow again in a short time. |
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- Posted by Forest-fan 8a (My Page) on Wed, Dec 14, 11 at 11:40
| Thank you - I will and I'll follow up and let you know. |
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- Posted by greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a (My Page) on Wed, Dec 14, 11 at 12:20
| Hello! Miracle Grow makes an awful soil product...and don't be fooled by the "Cactus/Citrus" labeling.... John is correct. The small nutrient charge in the Miracle Grow expired long, long ago. Move your tree into brighter, more direct light. Re-pot your tree in late Spring, between growth flushes, into a slightly larger container. There'll be lots of help when you're ready to re-pot.
Josh |
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| The conventional wisdom says citrus absorbs fertilizer at a 5-1-3 ratio NPK; but for some heavy bearers like Meyer lemon, you have to kick up the P and K or you will just grow pretty green plants with little fruit. You'll also have to address essential minerals like Iron, Zinc, Sulfur, Calcium, Magnesium, and maybe Manganese; for my garden trees, I put a good foliar every 2 weeks; because they compete with other garden plants and citrus are not good competitors. I like Bayer Bayfolan Forte; but there are others equal or maybe better... again, the container gurus here can give you better advice. |
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- Posted by Forest-fan 8a South Carolina Sa (My Page) on Wed, Dec 14, 11 at 17:51
| Wow, thanks for the great info @greenman28. I love details!! I'll start helping my little buddy out pronto! And @Johnmerr thanks for the extra input! |
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