Hi all, I bought these trees a few months ago and the roots were all coming out of the bottom of the pots, so I transplnating them in bigger pots, and since then, the lost all thier leaves.. I cut them all back to the stems.. I planted them in black earth with a fertalizer in it.. I heard these plants do not like to have thier roots tight, So I bought a bag of perlite and peat moss, do you think I could replant them in a perlite/peatmoss/black earth mixture, or is it to late.. Thanks everyone..
Transplanting them might have been the right thing to do, but cutting them? Definitely not. Citrus should never ever be pruned, except in special circumstances. You need to get them into an extremely free-draining mix. I use a mix of 30% compost and 70% kitty litter (same as turface/red fired clay) You need to water well, then let it dry out somewhat between watering - the mix should feel dry 2-3 inches down before watering again. Leave them somewhere quite warm in good sun, and you should see them pick up once they are ready. Can you post pics?
Just to add, it may not be too late. Just make sure the mix they are in has loads of that perlite in it, not just a few handfuls. More inorganic matter would be better than organic matter. Something a little heavier than perlite might be better - can you get anything? Hold off on fertilizer until they are well again.
Ok, so I transplanted my 2 trees this morning, I used 75% mix of Perlite and peat moss, and 25% black earth with Perlite in it.. The roots were amazing, they were at least 3 times the size since the last time I transplanted them, now, should I leave them in my south facing window?? thanks
Yes. Leave them there until all dangers of frost have gone and they will benefit from being outside. Make sure you keep humidity up with a gravel tray or a humidifier. Also make sure the temp is quite high where it is - citrus roots grow best when above 80F. It might be best to move it away from the window as night falls, as the temperature next to a window will dip dramatically. Then move it back to the window the next morning. Citrus grow slightly different to other plants. Their roots grow, then they stop, and the top grows. So if it doesn't look like it is growing any leaves, chances are it is growing roots, so wait for that cycle to end, and the leaves will start. One problem you have is that you cut them down to the bare stems. If the trees have stored enough energy from when they had leaves they will pick up. Its just a waiting game. If there wasn't enough stored energy they are in trouble. Be patient with them and keep watch. Glad the root systems have grown.
