I recently purchased a Meyer lemon tree and after reading quite a bit here I realize how important it is to fertilize it. I purchased the Osmocote slow release in the 19-6-12 formulation but the bottle says to only fertilize every 4 months but it seems that I need to fertilize more often. How often should I fertilize with this and can someone recommend a brand for the trace minerals? And should I also do the epsom salts every 3rd ferilizing and at what ratio? Thank you for any help
Glad to see another Denver citrus grower on this forum. A common, and a very good method of supplying nutrition to container citrus trees, is to use both a slow release fertilizer such as Osmocote, plus a good water soluble fertilizer that contains trace elements. Blend the 19-6-12 slow release fertilizer evenly throughout the container's growth medium before you plant the tree. As you are located in Denver, also fertilize your Meyer with the water soluble fertilizer every 2 - 3 weeks from the 1st of April until the end of September, and once a month from October through March. By using both a slow release, and a soluble fertilizer, your tree will be receiving nutrition on an even basis, rather than a feast and famine regiment when just a soluble fertilizer is used. In addition, the water soluble fertilizer will supply the needed trace minerals. If you wish to only use Osmocote, you will need to find a source of trace minerals, which could be difficult. The Denver Wholesale Florist Company, sells an excellent slow release fertilizer which has the optimum citrus formula of 25-5-15 with trace minerals, however, it only comes in 25-lb bags. The last time I purchased it from them I believe the price was $39.00 per bag (I purchased 2 bags). They also sell a trace element mix called STEM (Soluble Trace Element Mix), but again it only comes in 25-lb. bags. Your correct about the need of Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate). The most important, and critical requirement, for your Meyer to survive is to insure that the tree is planted into an excellent draining medium. Do not skimp when it comes to the type of medium (potting soil) your tree is planted in. Good luck with your tree. Millet (1,355-)
Thanks so much for the info on how to care for my tree. I also noticed you were Denver, its nice to know it is possible to grow these little trees here. Do you have any suggestions on a water soluble fertilizer with the trace elements in not such large quantities? I've read some people use Miracle Gro. I only have the one little tree and a few other house plants. Also, do you recommend I leave the tree outside during the summer? It sits in front of a south facing window but I worry it maybe isn't getting enough light. I also worry that if I put it on my deck it will get bugs, although the deck gets tons of sunshine most of the day. Any help would be great. :)
Most definitely over the warmer months put the tree outside. Your Meyer will do much better outdoors, than setting in you residence. If the container that your tree is presently in is black, the sun's rays hitting the container side will raise the soil temperature well above 100 F in a very short time. I paint my containers white to reflect the sun's rays. This helps to reduce the temperature in the root zone. You can also place the container is a larger size pot to block the sun. Try to find a fertilizer with a ratio (not formula) of 5-1-3 w/trace minerals. If you cannot locate a fertilizer close to the 5-1-3 ratio, then purchase 30-10-10 w/trace minerals. 30-10-10 should be easy to find at any Home Depot or good garden center like Paulino's. Actually, the chance of your tree being infested with bugs when placed outside, is quite slim. When you water your tree, water it well so that approximately 10 percent of the irrigation water applied to the container surface, drains out the bottom. Good luck to the tree. - Millet (1,354-)
