I have 2 "dwarf" Navel trees in large pots on my south facing patio is Scottsdale, AZ. The younger of the two trees has just added approx 8" of new growth pretty much all over the tree, and seems to be growing vigorusly and surprisingly faster than I had ever expected, though I am no expert. The older of the two seems to be 'just sitting there' -- healthy and green but only one single shoot of new growth. Both trees are in 24" pots and stand about 48" tall. I'm sure the answer could be one of a million possibilities but I'm just stumped and don't know where to begin.
Interesting - I repotted the older tree in mid-March. It was badly cared for by the nursery - I suspect it had been neglected in some remote corner and had blown-over and continued to grow sideways, for quite some time... This is just a guess I am making from the shape of the very thick branches and the obvious pruning that was executed to arrive at a minimum acceptable shape (I did get it for half-price but it was covered with blossoms at the time, and I enjoyed a very pleasing aromatic few weeks). Other than that the tree appears to be healthy and green - just not producing any new foliage, and the existing foliage appears to have stalled? I wonder how long a "root-growth" period might be expected to continue? The younger tree is filling out very nicely and I am looking forward to 2 excellent patio trees.
I see you got a tree that's had it hard. .. Correct? ... Your past posting was lack of growth. Give it time to recover.
Citrus trees in your area should have 3 - 5 growth flushes per year. First the tree has a root growth period that lasts 6-8 weeks, than after the root growth period is finished the tree's foliage growth period begins which normally takes 4-5 weeks to complete. Normally, the early spring foliage flush produces the most growth, followed by smaller and smaller flushes as the season passes. How much your tree grows, and the number of flushes your trees will produce, depends on how well you care for them. You should fertilize your trees a MINIMUM of once a month, once ever two weeks is better. Fertilize with a complete fertilizer (NPK) that also contains trace minerals. The ideal formula for containerized citrus trees has a nutrient ratio of 5-1-3. This exact formula is sometimes difficult to locate, so try to find a fertilizer that is as close as you can. Another excellent method of fertilizing container trees is with a slow release fertilizer like Osmocote. Slow release fertilizers provides small dosages of fertilizer on a continuous bases for 3 - 6 months depending on which formula you purchase. Whichever method you choose be sure that the fertilizer also contains trace minerals. The best to you and your trees. - Millet
Under prime conditions Millets posting is correct. Having a citrus tree that has or had problems this is not correct.
Millet, I wonder if you have any specific product that you might suggest? The only MiricleGro I can find locally is a general purpose 24-8-16, and the Osmocote for potted plants is 19-6-12. Am I supposed to adjust the quantity used down from the directions on the package to arrive at approx 5-1-3 per use? Thank you, Karl
The Miracle Grow 24-8-25 is a 3-1-3 ratio and the Osmocote 19-6-12 has a ratio of 3-1-2. Either one of these fertilizers would be OK. For citrus the two most important numbers required by citrus are the 1st and the last. However, if you use the Osmocote, you will have to add trace minerals, as I don't believe that formula of Osmocote contains trace minerals (I can't remember for sure so look on the label). Any way most slow release fertilizers give rates for light, medium and high levels of fertilizing, use the high level rate. - Millet
Try Vigoro Homedepot stocks this product and it does well for all my citrus. http://www.vigoro.com/ProductCategories/PlantFood/PremiumCitrusAvocadoFood/
Karl, 5-1-3 is the ratio that citrus absorb nutrients from the soil. 5-1-3 is the optimum formula, but citrus still do OK on formulations with close ratios. Citrus are heavy feeders, and require a lot of nutrition to do well. The two most important nutrients are nitrogen and potassium (the 1st and 3rd numbers). The formula that Laaz suggested Vigoro is a slow release fertilizer that lasts up to three months, the Osmocote 19-6-12 is also a slow release fertilizer (3-1-2 ratio) has higher nitrogen and potassium levels. I do not know if the Vigoro contains trace minerals or not. However, I personally know Laaz, even though we live 2000 miles apart, and he is an excellent citrus grower. Trace minerals are EXTREMELY important, especially for containerized trees. Just try to locate what ever you can find that is the closest to 5-1-3 but contains trace minerals. Don't use a formula that has a high middle number, as citrus uses little phosphorus. Good luck. Let us know how your two trees are doing from time to time. Take care and try to stay cool. - Millet
I was going to continue with the MiracleGro 24-8-16 which I am guessing is a 3-1-2 ratio, but I have no clue if it has trace minerals so that will be the next thing I try to figure out. Thank you to all.
Karl, when a fertilizer contains trace minerals, they will be listed on the face of the label, or on the bag. Usually just below the NPK percentages. The trace minerals are, Magnesium, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Boron, and Molybdenum. - Millet
