My Grandfather planted seeds from all the fruits he ate. When he passed I was able to take what ever plants where at his home. I watched this little plant for the longest. Now its about 2 ft. tall. I have decided that is some sort of citrus tree. It has thorns on it, long thorns. and leaves that look like lime. Im really not sure, which one. There are two growing in the same pot. Before winter they were beautiful and full of leaves now its just thorns and a few leaves. I have no clue how to take care of a citrus. Im a rose person normally. Any help would be great. I was told I needed to prune it. But every where I read it says to prune after it bears fruit. These little guys have produced no fruit or blooms. So I am really lost now. So any answers on what I should do? Thanks
Before doing anything, we need to positively identify it as a citrus. It probably is, but best to be sure! pull a leaf off and crush it between your fingers and smell. Lime leaves when broken smell very much like lime! Same is true for lemons. Typical store limes (bearss) don't usually have limes, so it will probably be a key lime if a lime it is! A pic may help?
I have included a picture of the poor thing. I just dont know what to do. I crushed but right now my nose is stuffy so I cant really tell. I have more pictures of them. But they are not as good as this shot. Thanks for the help.
Rose person huh? Good choice, me too :D Citrus care is really easy once you have the basics right. It needs to be in a good, well-draining potting mix - too much peat will do harm in the longrun. A citrus potting mix mixed with perlite/course sand/turface would be good. Is it indoors? If so, put it somewhere warm and bright. Watering is very important. You must let the potting mix dry out somewhat between waterings. Stick your finger in the soil. It should be dry an inch or two down before you water again. They are also heavy feeders, so make sure you fertilize with a high nitrogen feed which contains trace minerals once or twice a month. If the tree is in bright light but is very cold, leaves will fall. If the light is bright the roots must be above about 65F to keep it from dropping leaves. If this can't be achieved, putting it somewhere with low light levels where the temp will never go above 55F is ok for a couple of months. When you water, water thoroughly, so that the entire root ball is fully saturated and water drains from the holes in the bottom of the pot. Can you post a pic of the whole plant in its pot, and maybe describe the potting mix? What kind of roses do you grow over in Texas?
My roses were planted by my Great Grandmother in 1920, Im really not sure what they are they but when they bloom the are a dark pink and in many clusters. The smell is very fragrant. I have had them for 7 years now, and each season at cutting time I take the cuttings and plant them as far down in new pots as I can get them. I am trying to get enough of them started for each of her grand kids and great grand kids as I can. When I do I will give them to them for Christmas. I also have a Mr. Linclon, I got him last year for Valentines day from my husband. I cant wait to see what he gives me this year. We moved last year and I lost my yellow roses and my climbing roses. Oh well. I have a White Whisper that I am starting to think she is a climber. What Kind of roses do you grow? Ok back to my citrus. I have been useing Mriacle Grow potting soil. I have had them outside since I got them. I bring them in during the winter when it get to freezing. When I bring in my other plants. This year we could not use our dining room it was so full. LoL...I just repotted all my plants including these two they were in a pot together and I was seeing roots coming out the bottom so I seperated them. I hope it helps them. They stay in the semi shady area all the time. I am attaching another photo.
With the days getting longer, they will thrive in warm, really sunny locations indoors - so in a heated, south facing room by the window would be great. The soil they are in will definitely without doubt cause problems somewhere down the line. Read up on potting mixes on this forum and online for suitable mixes, but definitely change it when you get the chance, or your trees will suffer. Also read up on Winter Leaf Drop. I believe this may be your problem if the leaves dropped when you brought them inside. I haven't been growing roses long to be honest. I have a Blue Moon on the way, which I adore, and several unidentified ones given to me by a neighbour. I also have a PoulShrimp, a Lady Surprise, two anonymous ones (not sure on name until they flower) and a Hybrid Tea 'Pristine.'
I will take care of that soil issue as quickly as possiable as I just repotted the so its not to much of a shock if I wait. I will also check out about the leaf drop. Im a researcher, thats how I found this site. I do alot of family research been doing it for years, sometimes all day. So when my plants are having an issue I check for solution. Got a problem with the southren window though. We dont have but one and its frosted. But they are on the porch on the south side. They were real pretty till winter hit and I didnt bring them in on the first few frost. But the stalks are still pretty green and they are putting out some new growth. Just not sure if I should wait a few months and prune them so they put out new stalks on the lower half so they are a little more bushy. I dont want to accidently kill them. I didnt start with roses till about 2001 or so then my mom moved back to central Texas and couldnt take them so she called me. I went and dug them all 4 of them as they were from the 1920's and from the storys I have heard they were all ready full adults when they were planted, so I couldnt just let them stay and go to the new owner. Boy that was one hard chore. My daughter and I had scratches all over.LOL
