Could someone tell me what the normal bloomtime period is for the Clementine? I purchased this tree potted in a 10 gal. container in late January and it still had several tangerines on it that had not been picked. Around Feb. 10th I replanted in the present 20 gal. container and the below photo depicts the new spring flush of leave growth but no bloom bud growth has started as of yet. Could it be delayed due to the grower having left fruit on the tree too long prior to my purchase or just the replant in the new larger container? I have seen some younger trees last week still in nursery pots covered in bloom buds so was wondering what the delay could be. I was told the fruit of this tree is normally harvested between Sept. & Nov. Regards & Thanks for any replys
Are you fertilising your citrus? Generally they are heavy feeders, and because of your climate, you would likely experience blooms this summer?, however feeding your tree will greatly help this process.
If your Clementine is presently producing a new flush, and *if,* as you say, this current flush is NOT producing any blooms, then your tree will not receive blooms this spring. After the current flush of growth is completed, your tree will begin a period of root growth. This root growth period will take approximately 2 - 3 months. There is a very small possibility, that a few blooms could result from a late summer flush. However, Clementine's normally only produce blooms with the spring flush. Fruit that is not removed and is left on a citrus tree does inhibit blooming. - Millet (1,400-)
I used the Osmocote 19-6-12 slow release [2 or 3 tbls.] & once a month the 24-8-16 water soluble Miracle-Gro [2 gallons with 1 tbls. of epsom salt mixed in]. Only water when the top 3 inches of soil is dry. Soil temperature 10 inches down is 64 degrees at present with 75 to 80 degrees ambient temps outside. I was afraid the grower left the fruit on too long in the orchard as he told me the tree was loaded with fruit just prior to my purchase in late January. Unless this tree is possibly just experiencing an alternate bearing year I will just have to wait till next season & in the future make sure all the fruit is removed by December. Thanks for the replys & help.
Silverfox, your fertilizer program is quite adequate, and should supply your tree with all the nourishment required. Applying a full tablespoon of Epsom Salts with every feeding is a bit much. Normally magnesium is applied at ten percent of the rate of nitrogen. Mandarins show only a limited occurrence of alternate bearing. However, following an exceptionally heavy fruit production year, especially if the crop was not removed, it is normal for an "off" year to be expected. Low foliage growth in "on" years, due to the majority of the tree's energy being used for fruit production, results in poor flower bud differentiation in the succeeding year. This is caused by the depletion of the tree's carbohydrate reserves during the preceding year.These reserves must first be restored, before the tree is capable to produce another crop. Much of this problem can be eliminated by fruit thinning during years of heavy production. Your cultivation program seem pretty much right on. Nice tree. - Millet (1,399-)
Millet, I will only add the epsom salt in the soluble fertilizer every 2 months and since the grower claims the tree had been in the 10 gallon nursery container for two years I flushed the tree with over 25 gallons of water right after I planted it in its new 20 gallon container & surrounding medium. [Drainage is good] Then added the above mentioned fertilizers. I hope the flushing didnt inhibit this springs bloom production. I inspected the tree more closer and did find 1 bloom bud among all the new spring flush growth. Hopefully next year the tree will produce fruit on all this years limb growth. Thanks again for all your help & tips as it is always very much appreciated!
