The Tropical Fruit Forum

Researchers at Cal Poly Pomona are breeding sting-less wasps to help contain the citrus pest population in California. The scientists are trying to combat the spread of the Asian Citrus Psyllid - the insect responsible for destroying 70 percent of Florida's citrus industry. "Parasitic insects will eat the insects that carry the disease or feed on the insects that carry the disease and minimize the problem in that manner," Cal Poly Pomona professor Valerie Mellano explained. The university focused on breeding tiny sting-less wasps known as Tamarixia. The wasps feed exclusively on the citrus pest and can go where pesticides cannot. "There are a lot of people that have citrus trees in their backyards. It's very hard to control with pesticides from the point of view of gaining access," Mellano said. The greenhouse at Cal Poly Pomona was built strictly to breed the insects in a safe and contained environment. According to Radabaugh, Tamarixia are being bred in 180 cages at their facility. They plan on releasing approximately 30,000 Tamarixia in Southern California. - Millet

http://abc7.com/science/cal-poly-pomona-greenhouse-breeding-wasps-to-save-citrus-trees/1447716/

I remember reading a post by Dr. Malcolm Manners, professor of citrus and horticultural science at Florida Southern College, where he wrote in all of his carrier he has never once seen a calcium deficiency in a citrus tree. - Millet

Brian I notice the tree's root ball is not as high as the RootMaker container that the tree was growing in.  Either the medium degraded and the tree sunk lower into the container over time, or the bottom of the container was so wet the roots would not penetrate into it. Therefore, the tree was not actually using a 19" container.  I agree with Vanman 100 percent that growing in a 5-5-1 medium is not good, way too much peat moss.  That much peat holds a LOT of water at the expense of root zone oxygen. Without oxygen roots cannot absorb water thus can not absor fertilizer.   If the oxygen level is reduced the absorbtion is reduced.  I think the problem with your tree is lack of aeration AND that the tree is not getting enough nutrition.  If you want to use bark, go to  a 5-1-1`medium.  In the past I grew in a CHC medium, then switched to a 5-1-1, then about 5 years ago on Laaz's recommendation switched to Miracle Grow Garden Soil (Note: NOT Miracle Grow Potting Soil.)  I now have perhaps 20 or so container citrus trees growing in MGGS, plus 6 citrus in the ground.  MGGS has worked very well for me without a single failure. Some young trees in 1-gallon, some in 5 gallon, some in 10-gallon, and a couple in 50 gallon . All containers are RootMaker Air Root Pruning Containers.  Osmocote uses heat to release the nutrients from the prill.  During the warm spring and summer months Osmocote releases the nutrients faster than the label states. The Osmocote could have already spent all of its nutrients some time back.  If you want to use a slow release fertilizer try also using a liquid fertilizer once every month or month and a half in addition to the slow release..   I make my liquid fertilizer solution in 55-gallon plastic drums at a time using Peters 25-5-15 W/TM, and apply the solution with a pump that I purchased at Home Depot.  Brian my person best to you. - Millet

Tom how large citrus trees are depends on many things, such as culture, fertilization, wate,r climate etc.  However, dwarf trees in the ground can eventually grow to 15 feet, Large tree to 30+ feet, and medium trees to 20+ feet.  Commercial growers want to keep their trees under a height where  harvesting can be done using a 6 foot ladder. = Millet

An ingredient found in grapefruit and certain other plants has shown early promise in repelling the mosquitoes that transmit Zika and other viruses. This means that a good repellent against Zika-carrying mosquitoes could be found in the produce section of your grocery story.
 The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease has announced it will sponsor studies of the ingredient called nootkatone.
 What makes this ingredient particularly intriguing is that it's already used as a flavoring and fragrance, meaning it's approved to eat and put on skin. If proven effective, a repellent wouldn't be available until at least next year. - Millet

Taken from wtsb.com

Of the Trifoliate hybrids Carrizo Citrange is rated as good (G) for freezes, produces a large tree; Kuharske Citrange, rated G for freezes, produces a large tree; Benton Citrange rated G for freezes, produces a large tree; C-32 Citrange rated G for freezes, produces a large tree; C-35 Citrange rated questionable for freezes, produces  intermediate sized tree; Rusk Citrange rated poor to intermediate to freezes, produces a small tree; Trifoliate Orange rated intermediate to Good for freezes, produces a small tree; Sour Orange rated good for freezes, produces a intermediate to large tree.   

Sour Orange is rated good for salinity, high pH soils, clay soil, extra good for wet soils, intermediate for drought, good for freezes, high to high+ for juice.  It biggest weakness is that it is very susceptible to the Tristeza virus.   However, if your area does not have tristeza it is a great rootstock.
Millet

Many of the original shipments of the small mandarin types were first exported from Tangiers,Morocco area and therefore soon picked u the nick-name tangerines. - Millet

Mathematical and epidemiological models predict that by 2019, the Florida citrus industry will no longer be commercially viable, the long time researcher Shatter recently said. - Millet

http://www.thepacker.com/news/cal-poly-pomona-launches-citrus-research-greenhouse

Citrus psyllids are out of control in So. California

http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2016/07/18/florida-frontiers-citrus-labels-works-art/87251790/

Millet

You could graft Meyer Lemon on just about any rootstock available.  The main reason for selecting a certain rootstock has much more to do with the soil type in your area, such as being clay, sand, dry, water logged acidic, or basic etc.  Know that most Meyer Lemons are normally grown on their own roots, and not grafted upon other rootstocks.  Meyer is among the easiest budwood to root. If it was me, I would just grow a Meyer Lemon on it own stock. - MIllet

Glad your trees are producing new growth.  However, it is just by pure quintessence that your trees have begun to flush.  No fertilizer causes a citrus tree to fluch in three days. Citrus trees at this time of year will flush every 2 - 3 months no  matter the fertilizer.   My container and in ground trees have also just started putting out new growth. Use what ever fertilizer you wish, but my recommendation would be to stay with Peters HP . - Millet