tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post2479502166748399491..comments2024-03-15T00:38:43.240-07:00Comments on The Citrus Guy: Supper for CitrusDarrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09174646683640212162noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-63207494996528540192023-06-02T08:16:39.041-07:002023-06-02T08:16:39.041-07:00Sticky stuff is either aphids or fungus gnats. I u...Sticky stuff is either aphids or fungus gnats. I use Neem Oil according to directions. Fungus gnats are extremely hard to get rid of - try the sticky traps on Amazon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-80159213859838068582023-02-15T01:52:25.134-08:002023-02-15T01:52:25.134-08:00When is the best time to fertilize satsuma trees a...When is the best time to fertilize satsuma trees and whats best to useAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-55473588089395060462020-05-18T20:38:42.062-07:002020-05-18T20:38:42.062-07:00Hey Darren
Thank you so much for having this blogs...Hey Darren<br />Thank you so much for having this blogspot for citrus owners. It's always been my dream to have my own keylime tree. I live in Washington state where our springs are wet and super windy and our winter's are long and cold. My citrus tree (Pablo) was having yellow leaves but after fertilizing him it's doing better thanks to your advice. I use the down to earth citrus mix it's a 6-3-3. I still notice that a lot of his leaves are falling off what's your advice for this? Or am I just being paranoid and it's okay for him to drop some leaves. He doesn't get as much light as he should so I'll need to buy a grow light this fall. I want to keep him outside this spring but it's very windy do you have any recommendations to protect him against the wind? Also our nights during the spring range from 44f-52f. Is this to cold to keep the citrus tree outside? I take him outside for a few hours during the day and I bring it back inside for the night. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14046827892808166347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-40366728559767057002020-03-29T17:12:33.970-07:002020-03-29T17:12:33.970-07:00Hello, Kim.
Yes, I keep all of mine in containers....Hello, Kim.<br />Yes, I keep all of mine in containers.<br />Just be prepared for either the roots to grow out the bottom, you can cut them off.<br />Or it to eventually get rootbound. Then a Root pruning will be needed.Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09174646683640212162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-18115594671551152962020-03-28T22:47:06.056-07:002020-03-28T22:47:06.056-07:00Hi, Darren!
Great info - thanks for sharing your l...Hi, Darren!<br />Great info - thanks for sharing your love and expertise about citrus. Hoping you can help me with this. I have an 8' tall Kaffir Lime in a 46 gal nirsery container. If I fertilize per your formulas is it OK to keep it in the container. I would prefer to not plant it into the ground. Thanks so much, KimAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11910452371968500929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-25216193449873306952019-05-14T17:23:54.966-07:002019-05-14T17:23:54.966-07:00Hello Darren, this is my first time caring for cit...Hello Darren, this is my first time caring for citrus trees and to say that I am a newbie is an understatement! I live in Northern NH and am supplementing our terrible lack of sunlight with grow lights set for 10-12 hours a day (I was told 2 hours of grow light for every missed hour of natural direct light). I have read so much conflicting information that if you’d set me straight I’d appreciate it. I have three trees, 1.5’ key lime, 1.5’ Meyer lemon and 3’ lemon. The two smaller trees are in 8” pots and the larger is about a 14” pot. I see you recommend espoma, but for such small trees and in small pots what would your recommendation for quantity of fertilizer and rate of application be? I also see you recommend fish emulsion, is that something I should dilute and add when watering and when should that be applied in conjunction with the espoma? Also, after looking at the ingredient list for the fertilizer would you have a idea how to make my own fertilizer as I have chickens and the majority of the ingredients are chicken based? What are sign I should be on the lookout for in regards to under/over fertalization and watering? Thank you!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17880033907363245931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-39313663151614772732018-08-06T05:02:33.181-07:002018-08-06T05:02:33.181-07:00Hi Darren thank you for your advice regarding my c...Hi Darren thank you for your advice regarding my citrus. I came across another fert. for citrus among other plants and trees. It is Jack's. Any thoughts? Seem to have more NPK in it along with mag.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10954163026688891840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-18546000532818800282018-07-29T14:37:10.149-07:002018-07-29T14:37:10.149-07:00Hi Darren! What is causing my green leaves to cur...Hi Darren! What is causing my green leaves to curl inward on my potted lemon tree?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-13217462008410607062018-06-30T13:24:23.218-07:002018-06-30T13:24:23.218-07:00Hi Darren I purchased a caracara tree 2 years ago ...Hi Darren I purchased a caracara tree 2 years ago after dropping all of its leaves I have nursed it back to health where it looks nice. This year it started to produce fruit and than dropped all of it. The same thing occurred with mu clementine tree. It must of had 100"s of little ones and than dropped all of them. Disappointing to say the least. I started to feed them with Espoma Citrus fert once a month. The growth has been explosive so much my caracara tree is almost top heavy with growth. One side light, I had a new growth on the caracara, not a sucker grow so quickly that it over took a center branch so much that branch died off. The tree looks great but wondering about the drop. The weather here in New Bern has been hot since may with high humility. Thank you in advance for your advice. MichaelAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06087154502557298882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-90054755714521489522018-04-09T10:43:28.424-07:002018-04-09T10:43:28.424-07:00You are welcome!
Any questions feel free to ask!
You are welcome!<br />Any questions feel free to ask!<br />Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09174646683640212162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-27448925291515587522018-04-09T09:56:36.053-07:002018-04-09T09:56:36.053-07:00Thank you and I can order the CT so I will do that...Thank you and I can order the CT so I will do that.<br /><br />Thanks for your time and I am sure I will figure this out (with a lot of help) <br /><br />Thank you again Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05904462327464631088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-18121469567988480132018-04-09T07:04:04.319-07:002018-04-09T07:04:04.319-07:00Hey, Neil.
I am a Master Gardener myself and they ...Hey, Neil.<br />I am a Master Gardener myself and they drive me crazy!<br />They can show greening at any age. Sigh.<br />If you can find an extension agent or somebody that is a citrus professional to check them.<br /><br />Even if you only use half of the recommended strengths, your routine should not be a problem. As for the Citrus Gain, I had never heard of it and looked it up. The whole watering the trees day before and such, I am sure it is probably okay to use, just not familiar with it. If you get yourself some Espoma Citrus Tone, it won't burn the roots or anything else and you can use as much as you want, within reason of course. I know it works. There are a few other "Citrus fertilizers developed by citrus growers" that I have used that suck! Just saying.<br />Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09174646683640212162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-29347421235697304832018-04-08T18:36:16.088-07:002018-04-08T18:36:16.088-07:00Thank you for your response, and let me clarify .B...Thank you for your response, and let me clarify .By washing in I am talking about the granular Citrus Gain Fertilizer mentioned below<br /><br />I started this regiment started last year:<br /><br />Every month I apply about 1.5-2 cups of Citrus Gain fertilizer <br />Every mid month I do a root drench with MG <br />Twice a year I do micro-nutrient spray<br />I have occasionally done a fish oil drench but never a spray.<br />And the occasional blood meal application.<br />I am not certain I use enough of any of these products because I am afraid to use too much.<br /><br />I follow directions (like on Citrus Gain) and apply 1.5 cups however it just does not seem to be very much fertilizer once its on the ground. I seem to remember my grandparents throwing quite a bit more product under the trees?? <br /><br />I have not tested my PH his year yet but at various locations it does average out to be between 6.5 and 7 . Not really at 7 but getting close. <br />I have a PH meter (real one not the ones you stick in the ground) , I have used Rapid Test kits, and litmus paper. The PH was originally my concern because it seems high, but I am not sure what to do about it .<br /><br />Citrus greening was a concern too but the Master Gardner here told me last year (when I had the same concerns) that it seems the trees were to young to be displaying greening??? They were treated with systemic pesticide (had a tag when we bought them) and I have continued to do that once a year. This is still my biggest fear but I am a worry wort.<br /><br />There are many groves around us ,but not too close. Probably none with in a 10 mile radius but they are thriving groves. Both older tress and some we have been watching growing from very young trees for the last few years. All doing very well. Dont know if that helps any but it make me more hopeful its not greening...my logic is sometimes illusive...lol!<br /> <br />BTW, my wife thinks I DO too much to them. She always points out all the trees we see just growing in the middle of no where and they look great...ugh , I just wish I had some one to SHOW me how much product to use because I think I do not comprehend the amounts the directions are telling me... or something ...lol<br /><br /><br />Once again thank you for your time.<br />Neil<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05904462327464631088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-71353367200756272152018-04-08T07:31:25.708-07:002018-04-08T07:31:25.708-07:00Good Morning, Neil.
Not silly questions,no such th...Good Morning, Neil.<br />Not silly questions,no such thing!<br />Let me ask you a few questions first.<br />When you are talking about washing in the granules, do you mean the Miracle Gro?<br />Are you using the water soluble stuff?<br />There should not be any granules to wash in.<br />Second, are you only using Miracle Gro?<br />How often?<br /><br />My advice would be to only use the Miracle Gro as a kind of treat for the trees.<br />Get some Espoma Citrus Tone and spread that around every 6-8 weeks. You can mix some Fish Emulsion with the Miracle Gro and do a foliar spray every 5-6 weeks for some extra Nitrogen, which should green them up.<br />You also might want to check with an extension agent down there and make sure you don't have Citrus Greening disease.<br />I hope that helps?! Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09174646683640212162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-11126475127090465952018-04-07T19:33:17.341-07:002018-04-07T19:33:17.341-07:00Hello Darren, I think you might be able to answer ...Hello Darren, I think you might be able to answer a couple of questions for me that I feel kind of silly asking ...but here it goes:<br />When I apply the Miracle Gro should I do at as spray or drench?<br />And, when I fertilize and "wash in" the granules , how much "washing in" are we talking about? <br /><br />I have had 2 orange trees in the ground (central Florida) ,this will be 3rd season. They have been light green with some yellowing here and there and I cant seem to get them back to the dark green they were when I planted them. <br />One is growing pretty good but the other is growing much slower.<br />These trees are about 5ft tall and 5ft dia roughly and produce crazy amounts of fruit ,but not sweet. <br /><br />Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I grew up with family citrus trees but I did not see the value when I was young to learn how to take care of them and now my family are passed on. <br /><br />Thanks<br />Neil<br />Ocala Fl<br /> <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05904462327464631088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-71411178359029577352018-03-29T10:55:45.986-07:002018-03-29T10:55:45.986-07:00Hello Darren,
I am so glad I found this! I have be...Hello Darren,<br />I am so glad I found this! I have been fumbling around with out citrus trees (Meyer lemon, Lime, Mandarine, Orange trees) without really knowing what I am doing. Sigh. Somehow we have fruits so I guess not all of what I did was bad. But now I know what I need to add. <br /><br />We live in Southern CA so we have no real winter issue. The only problem I am constantly fighting are leaveminers. So far I tried all kinds of stuff - mostly organic - but I never was able to 100% rid them. If you have any tips I would greatly appreciate it!<br /><br />RachelRachel's Worldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12199372330706964449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-25657881304800989742017-06-22T15:50:13.966-07:002017-06-22T15:50:13.966-07:00Hello Lacey,
With the Miracle Gro, I would feed th...Hello Lacey,<br />With the Miracle Gro, I would feed them about every 4-6 weeks. In between you can give them a shot of fish emulsion.<br />As for the pruning, it is all going to depend on how you want it to grow.<br />If you want a shrubby tree, leave it be, unless you get a huge tall central leader. Then trim it back to get it to bush out.<br />If you want more of a standard tree, keep pruning off the lower limbs as it grows taller.<br />Hope that helps some, let me know if you have any other questions.Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09174646683640212162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-69610877312608124262017-06-15T20:49:21.574-07:002017-06-15T20:49:21.574-07:00Hi Darren,
I am so happy I stumbled across this ...Hi Darren, <br /><br />I am so happy I stumbled across this post. I live in Southern Ontario (zone 6 I believe) and just bought a meijer lemon and and a mandarin orange tree. I have almost driven myself crazy trying to figure out what size pots to plant them in and what type of potting mix to use. I've managed to do that and now I need to fertilize, I actually have a bag of miracle gro for acid loving plants and a bottle of fish emulsion so I am really glad this doesn't mean another trip to the garden center! Anyway I think these are probably year old plants, they are about 2ft tall, and they came in pots that were about 4in wide but pretty tall, my question is should I go ahead and follow your fertilizing recommendations as listed in this post, or as a young plants do they need more or less? If so what would you recommend? Also any thought on when and how to prune?<br /><br />Thank-You so much for any help you can give, there is so much conflicting advice on different Internet articles Im desperate for someone to just give me a clear idea of what to do!!<br /><br />Thanks again,<br />LaceyMark & Laceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12340523975244497303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-4284531354305811892017-04-02T18:26:14.789-07:002017-04-02T18:26:14.789-07:00I'm located in the Philadelphia area. Not supe...I'm located in the Philadelphia area. Not super prime citrus area! Lol. Well I will try the superthrive on my watering today and go back to the store tomorrow for something more appropriate. I'm anxious as this is probably my 8th flowering on this plant and some limes are thriving and not just falling off lol. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07343485463642627460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-69111487605185327102017-04-02T15:11:56.649-07:002017-04-02T15:11:56.649-07:00Hello, Erica.
Superthrive is okay, I would not use...Hello, Erica.<br />Superthrive is okay, I would not use it all of the time.<br />You did not mention where you live?<br />You are probably not in prime citrus growing territory! LOL<br />The next best thing would be to get some Holly-Tone.It makes a very good substitute for the Citrus-Tone and is usually available everywhere that hollies or azaleas are grown.Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09174646683640212162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-60867885558514492482017-04-02T14:59:45.872-07:002017-04-02T14:59:45.872-07:00I have a container lime tree that is approx 4 year...I have a container lime tree that is approx 4 years old. I'm still a novice I couldn't find any citrus fertilizer at the stores near me however, did find some superthrive. I have never used it before, and it does contain more nitrogen then the standards. Any thoughts? My blooms thank you. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07343485463642627460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-14345378996363817332017-03-29T15:48:14.658-07:002017-03-29T15:48:14.658-07:00Hi Darren,
THANKS for your help & clarificati...Hi Darren,<br /><br />THANKS for your help & clarification. No need to buy. For your kind advice & time on this blog, I will be happy to mail you the Baby Mango seeds once they're in season (about Jul-Sep). I'll send a message to your email at around July to get your shipping address. Btw, the Baby Mango probably has an official name that I'm not aware of :D LOL We bought it at Home Depot but my grandma wasn't aware that it was a baby mango variety. We had just moved in and were buying a variety of fruit trees at that time, so we didn't look at each plant as carefully as we should have. As for the Chocolate Persimmon (the super sweet heart shaped variety, not the tart crunchy variety), we love it when there are some but I don't think cultivating this is worth your time. We may just be doing it wrong but if we get better yields from it in future years, I'll be willing to share seeds with you :) So far, it's been yielding only every other year, and only about 10 fruits per year :( That said, I haven't been helping feed at all, the poor thing. Hopefully, fertilizer will help. All the newly planted/transplanted trees had more attention the first 3 years, before the kids came along. We even used fish fertilizer & chopped up eggshells & shrimp shells, all good stuff, but quickly found out that unless we remembered to place heavy bricks on top of the areas where we'd poured/buried the stuff, cats & opossums would dig it all up and make a huge mess.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01397338797707663881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-41675493897813036122017-03-29T08:35:25.616-07:002017-03-29T08:35:25.616-07:00Hello Mickey.
The dirty little secret is, as long ...Hello Mickey.<br />The dirty little secret is, as long as you are getting the big three, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, almost any fertilizer will work.<br />The problem comes in when you feed something with a heavy Nitrogen content late in the season which could spur a growth flush and it not be hardened off by the first frost.<br />If you use a little less of the All purpose that you mentioned, maybe a quarter of it, you are then in the 6-2-4 range.<br />So that would be fine. I would feed them about every 6-8 weeks at that point.<br />Hopefully that fits into your, what sounds like, crazy, hectic life?!<br /><br />As a side note, the baby mangos and Chocolate Persimmon, are you getting lots of fruit off of them?<br />If so, I would LOVE to buy some seeds from you!<br />E-mail me at TheCitrusGuy@netzero.com and we can get into it more, if you don't mind?Darrenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09174646683640212162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-34352645969475046842017-03-27T15:16:49.907-07:002017-03-27T15:16:49.907-07:00P.S. from Mickey of OC: Espoma Organic Citrus Ton...P.S. from Mickey of OC: Espoma Organic Citrus Tone is 5-2-6, but Miracle Gro Citrus is 8-2-10. MG Citrus has the extra nitrogen & phosphate you'd mentioned that citrus trees need, but is that too much? The Miracid you'd suggested as 2nd choice has a far different composition of 30-10-10. That seems really high so I'd be grateful for some clarification. <br /><br />Lastly, is Miracle Gro All-Purpose (24-8-16) an acceptable alternative for exotic citrus fruit trees? I'm asking this last question because Costco sells it for a much more affordable rate compared to the other MG versions or Citrus Tone. THANK YOU for your time & advice.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01397338797707663881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8051633486819426115.post-63823962767334403762017-03-27T14:31:38.268-07:002017-03-27T14:31:38.268-07:00Hi Darren,
I'm honored to have found your sit...Hi Darren,<br /><br />I'm honored to have found your site. I'm blessed with a loving grandma that had planted several Asian fruit trees (some from seedlings) in our backyard. Now that she's very old, I'm trying to take care of these trees on my own. What to feed them PLEASE? I have been advised to use Miracle Grow Shake n Feed for Citrus (Mango/Avocado), and that I only need to use 1-2 scoops per month. That expedient advice really meets my needs since we take care of 2 toddlers & a dog; but the question is, is that the best advice and if not, what is your best advice in consideration that I don't have as much to spend on gardening as I'd like? Here are the facts & fruit tree types:<br />Location: Southern California (Orange County), Zone 9 I believe?<br />Soil: Clay<br />Fruit Trees from seedlings: Cherimoya aka soursop (6-7 yrs old), Asian (Guava) Graperfruit<br />Fruit Trees from grafting (purchased): Baby Mango (they don't get larger than 50% regular Kent mangos), Chocolate Persimmon (soft kind), Kumquat (oval shaped & Asian round), guava (small, round, Mexican?), jujube, avocado.<br /><br />I would GREATLY APPRECIATE your advice. Humbly yours, Mickey from OCAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01397338797707663881noreply@blogger.com