The Tropical Fruit Forum

Magnesium sulfate is Epsom salt correct?
How much do I use? Is it sprinkled on the surface or dissolved in water and poured on? Also how often?

The trees have only produced for 1 good year 2 years ago. Last year we got 4 lemons, I had trimmed the tree in Feb and it dropped the blossoms right afterward so maybe that was the wrong time to trim. The reason I changed pots, besides that the barrels were falling apart, was to make a better looking planter that is on wheels so I can move it into the garage on freezing nights, we get about 3 a year.

We have gophers that destroy anything I have put in the ground so the planter gardens have solved that.

You said "use water to assure no air pockets", does that mean that I need to soak the lemon I re-planted today? I have not added any water since it had wet soil going in.

For fertilizer before, I mixed up Alaska fish fertilizer 5-1-1 and watered the soil every couple of months, Millet said it is only for the leaves. I have randomly added Vigoro Citrus & Avocado plant food 6-4-6, maybe 3 times per year.
When I add these things I don't notice changes, should they be immediate within a few days if they are working?

Ok, I will use the Miracle Grow for now since I have is on hand. I am thinking I should let it dry out a few days first before add in the liquid fertilizer, does that sound right or does it need it now?

I bought a $7 moisture meter that has 8" probes, is that what you guys use?

The moisture meter also reads PH, should I worry about that?

I forgot to mention I did trim the top, last photo, probably took off about 25% +.

A lot of the stinky soil did not get used because the perlite took up space and the stinky was last in.

I have compost worms, would it be any benefit to add some to the pot?

I am going to Home Depot today, what fertilizer should I get? What should it say on it?

I was planning pulling the trees out of the 55 gallon planters tomorrow when it is cooler. I am anxious to see the roots so I may do it later today.

I will take lots of pictures and post.

I was not going to move into another planter. My plan is to add a perforated floor into the existing planter so any water will drain into a lower reservoir. the water in the reservoir will be collected and used on the lawn or elsewhere. The tree will not be able to suck water from the bottom after this mod.

I live about 10 miles from Redlands and Riverside, there is a lot of Citrus here, not really desert.
The soil I used, (pictured), is Miracle Grow planter mix. During the replant 2 months ago I used the original soil, (same stuff) and added more to fill. These pictures are from the move 2 months ago. Yesterday I got some pearlite and was thinking of mixing that into the soil to help with aeration, is that the right direction?

Today I trimmed all the brown pieces, and noticed there are new leaves, is this normal for a plant in distress?

This is what I am planning on doing. (1) Pull the plants out and look at the roots.
(2) trim roots?
(3) redesign pot to eliminate self-watering.
(4) add perlite to the soil

Questions;
(A) what am I looking for on the roots and what is the proper root trimming, I mean how to tell rotten, dead, etc, and is there a proper way to trim, cut straight, angle, pinch?
(B) how much perlite should I add, I read somewhere 50%, and should I add anything else?

Tom,

Thanks for the feedback,
When you said "prune off the dead root", should I pull it out of the pot or is there another way?

Millet,

The containers are 55 gallon cut 8" off the top. The 8" is put inside to create a shelf and reservoir below it. There are 1/4" holes drilled through the shelf so water can drain into the reservoir. The wicking portion that draws reservoir water into the soil is 6" diameter and sits through the shelf and into the reservoir. So actually the area that holds soil is a 55 gal drum in diameter but 16" shorter. The design is so when the reservoir is full the bottom of the shelf is not in the water, there is always a 1/2 inch air gap or greater.

They have been transplanted for 2 months. During the transplant I winched the trees out of the wine barrels and worked the outer root ball to release the attached soil clumps. The 55 gal drums added about 3" more room on all sides and 6" below the root ball compared to the wine barrels.

After the move I filled the reservoir then several days later I added Vigoro Citrus & Avocado plant food 6-4-6 sprinkled over the top soil. The following 2 weeks we had a lot of rain. The planters are in an area outside, no roof, where they can get sun all day. After the rain the blooms came out, a lot, a few weeks later the leaves started dropping.

What I have been told now is the roots are not getting oxygen because of the self watering. What I have done today is experimental, on the orange tree I emptied the reservoir and will only water from the top. On the lemon tree I kept the reservoir full and added a fish aquarium aerator to the water reservoir hoping the aerated water will make its way to the lower roots.

You helped me out several years ago with these same 2 trees, thank you, search my name on the old forum.

I spent a lot of time on these planters for portability and appearance so I would like to try all options that do not require now planters first.

Please tell me what to try.