The Tropical Fruit Forum

Citrus => Citrus General Discussion => Topic started by: Vlad on June 18, 2019, 04:15:00 PM

Title: "Perfect" citrus fertilizer.
Post by: Vlad on June 18, 2019, 04:15:00 PM
I have read on many websites that the best fertilizer to use for citrus is one with a ratio as close as possible to 5:1:3.
Where did this idea come from?
Are there any peer reviewed scientific papers to back this up?
Is it based on the NPK ratios in citrus tissues?
Has anyone actually shown that citrus take up these nutrients in a ratio of 5:1:3?

Title: Re: "Perfect" citrus fertilizer.
Post by: Bomand on June 18, 2019, 04:25:49 PM
I do not know the reference for the ratios you quote. I am sure there has been some research and those rates were decided upon. I do not use that ratio
 I follow the LSU Louisiana citrus recommendations which is 8-8-8. It works fine for me. Most of my citrus is in the ground. I have a couple of limes in container and I use only fish emulsion and a little epsom salt drench from time to time.....works for me.
Title: Re: "Perfect" citrus fertilizer.
Post by: Millet on June 18, 2019, 10:01:51 PM
Vlad, you can find much of the information you are looking for concerning the nutrition ratio 5-1-3 in the book titled  "The Genus Citrus".  Particularly on pages 40 through 43. University, field trials etc.
Title: Re: "Perfect" citrus fertilizer.
Post by: will2358 on July 13, 2019, 01:31:23 PM
I have this citrus fertilizer, does anyone use this one?
(https://i.postimg.cc/GTjfSJ3j/fertilizer.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/GTjfSJ3j)
Title: Re: "Perfect" citrus fertilizer.
Post by: Vlad on July 13, 2019, 01:41:45 PM
Do you plan to use it for a tree in a container or in ground? I have never used it for my container trees.
Title: Re: "Perfect" citrus fertilizer.
Post by: will2358 on July 13, 2019, 02:06:56 PM
Both
Title: Re: "Perfect" citrus fertilizer.
Post by: Millet on July 13, 2019, 02:53:51 PM
Will, your tree will be much better off using a granular fertilizer, rather than spikes.  Although most any type of fertilizer is "OK", some nutrition ratios are better then others.  I always use Peters Professional 25-5-15 for all my citrus. 
Title: Re: "Perfect" citrus fertilizer.
Post by: Dbrinas on July 26, 2019, 11:26:44 AM
I asked the same question and from what I was told don’t we also need to know what’s in the fertilizer vs just looking at N-P-K right?  some components make take a long time to be available like bone meal your plant may need the “P” soon but it might be months before it will work.  Is it true that many variables like soil, drainage, etc. what’s perfect for one technique/style, garden, etc may not be perfect for others?
Title: Re: "Perfect" citrus fertilizer.
Post by: kumin on July 26, 2019, 12:30:38 PM
Soils vary greatly in available nutrients, therefore many growers will run soil tests to determine the baseline nutritional profile. Another factor is the seasonal nutritional needs for the plants/crop being considered. There is little point in overfeeding a nutrient that's in adequate or excess availability. Once the deficient nutrients have been identified, seasonal maintenance becomes important. Nutrients lost to leaching, adsorption by plants, etc. need to be replaced for optimal growth.
Title: Re: "Perfect" citrus fertilizer.
Post by: Millet on July 26, 2019, 11:06:04 PM
Dbrins,   bone meal is used sometimes by organic growers.  I have been growing citrus 30 years, and have never ever seen bone meal as the source of "P" in a commercial fertilizer.  Field test have shown over and over again that a yearly loss of the main elements per hectar, in a mature commercial orchard producing 30 tons of fruit, is as follows:  N180 -220;  P2O5 30 -40 kg;  K2O; 90 -120 kg.  This is a 5-1-3 ratio.  Which is the ration that a citrus tree absorbs nutrients.   There are many commercial fertilizers.  They must be chosen according to the replacing minerals and their ratio.  5 parts N, 1 part P and 3 parts K. Obviously, in cases of over dosage or deficiency of one or more elements this ratio must be changed to a more appropate one.