Fertilizer should not be applied between October 1 and February 1 for the first year or two of a trees growth in Florida, especially in regions north of Polk county where severe cold damage has occurred. This will reduce the possibility of untimely growth flushes in the winter. After about 2 to 5 years young trees begin to bear fruit. A commercial citrus tree in Florida, for example, bears an average of 45, 90 and 135 fruit during years 2, 3 and 4, under ideal conditions. The quality of fruit produced on young trees is usually poor compared with that produced by the same tree when fully mature, so don't get discouraged. The goal of the fertilizer program for young bearing citrus trees is to continue to stimulate vigorous growth of leaves and branches that may compete with early fruit production. After the tree has become established, the goal will be to replace nutrients removed from the soil with the fruit and to provide enough nutrients to sustain continued tree growth. Many different fertilizer formulations are available for use on door yard citrus trees. Three of the most commonly used formulations in Florida are 6-6-6, 8-8-8 and 10-10-10 w/trace minerals. Higher analysis mixed formulations such as 12-0-12 or 15-0-14 are commonly used on older mature trees. As a general rule in Florida 1 year old trees are fertilized 6 times a year, 2 year old trees 5 times a year, 3 year old trees are fertilized 4 times a year, and 4 year old trees and older 3 times a year. The amounts of fertilizer per tree depends on the trees age. Do not use a fertilizer with higher than an 8-8-8 analysis on young trees during years 1-3. For older mature bearing trees on well drained soils, three applications of fertilizer per year are sufficient, one application in the fall, followed by a second application in the late spring, and a third in late summer.
Millet