Shirls Lemon & Orange Trees

[Hans Mum]

I haven't got proper citrus compost and don't feel able to invest in a bag of this for 2 nearly dead plants so they will just get potted in multipurpose compost to see if they survive. If they do come round I will buy the proper feed and soil for them. Here's hoping they rally as I have wanted a lemon and an orange for ages but can't afford the big ones they sell in the garden centre.
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copied & pasted this from what i did today so i dont get into trouble............ but i really hope they come good for you shirl, good luck

[shirlthegirl43]

Thank you so much. I hope they do too. I have bought things that looked like dead sticks before and now they are lovely shrubs. Hope I have the same success with these.

[momol]

Shirl,

It is hard to tell if they will die or not for now. Most citrus planted in europe kind of showing dormancy during winter ( will sometimes shed some leaves if water stress or too warm), but they do need to be watered ( but not too much during this time) and give them some weak liquid fertilizer per 2 or 3 weeks ( citrus one is the best but any liquid fert' will do but has to be more acid than alkaline).
By spring you will know the real condition... good luck...

Momol

[drichard12]

In the winter citrus can be stressed and lose leaves. The problem is that the root zone gets below 12C causing the root system to shut down, so when the sun hits the leaves water is not be sent. Get a soil thermometer and a water proof heating mat. and keep the root zone 18C-22C this should help.

For a water proof heating mat. go to a 2nd hand store and look for a used water bed heater. They sell cheap and works great.

[shirlthegirl43]

The dubious plants I bought were indeed dead. I took them back and got a refund then went to another store and bought healthier specimens. These were potted into proper citrus compost and have been kept in a cool spot in the house with plenty natural light. I also bought them proper citrus winter feed and have now bought the summer feed which I will change to next month as per the instructions. There is considerable new growth on both plants and I am thrilled to bits. Just wondering how big they have to get before they will flower as I just love the scent of the flowers.

[drichard12]

shirlthegirl43, I'm glad to read your posting and that you are happy with your new tree it sounds like it's doing very well with the new growth flushing.
What type of citrus tree did you get? And how tall is it? It's hard to say when you will get blooms. Mine flowered last month they are about 4-5 years old, but I don't think you'll need to wait that long. At this time I have about 6 dozen little friutlets on a 2 1/2 foot tall Miho Satsuma growing in a container and indoors. I also love the smell of the flowers, as they smell so sweet. I use a Q-tip and go from flower to flower like a bee.

[shirlthegirl43]

I have a lemon - Citrus limon, and an orange - Calamondin. Pretty basic I guess. They are about 10 - 12 inches tall, but the lemon has grown 3 inches or so since I got it and the orange about 2 inches. Some of the older leaves which were a bit damaged are now falling off but I didn't expect them to recover as they were a bit bashed about.

The rather basic instructions say not to prune but I was wondering how to make them bushier?

[drichard12]

shirlthegirl43, The only punning I do is die back, or using the bud wood for grafting and T-budding. punning will cut down on your friut production. They should bush out as they get older. Your trees are a bit small, but they may flower soon. The life span of a leaf is 18-24 months before dropping. I has been written that one should remove the friut from a young tree in order for it to develop. Myself I do not do this, I let the tree do it, I'm sorry I'm getting a bit ahead of your needs. Look in your 2nd hand stores for a used water bed heater and a soil thermometer for next winter keep the root zone at about 22C

[shirlthegirl43]

I don't think anyone round our region has heard of water beds, far less put the heater for one in a second-hand store! I could try a heated belt for home-brewing though. They seem quite happy on the dining table at the moment and I am going to put them outdoors when the weather warms up, bringing them in at night until they are bigger. The same plants but bigger versions, have been outdoors in my local garden centre (100 yards from me) all winter so I guess mine will be okay outdoors year round when they grow a bit.

[drichard12]

A water bed is what some people sleep on, The heater is placed under the water bed mattress to keep the water warm. I don't understand heated belt for home-brewing. I need to get going will follow up later.