The Tropical Fruit Forum

Citrus => Citrus General Discussion => Topic started by: jbclem on September 20, 2019, 04:12:40 AM

Title: Should I add peat moss to sandy soil before planting a citrus tree?
Post by: jbclem on September 20, 2019, 04:12:40 AM
I've read that you don't need to and shouldn't add any soil amendments when you are planting a citrus tree in the ground.  But my soil doesn't hold moisture that well and I end up watering a lot in the long hot summers.  Soil tests show that I have sandy silt and/or silty sand type soil.  And my own jar soil tests usually don't show any(or very little) organic matter.   So I'm thinking of trying what I've been doing with my vegetable plantings, adding peat moss to the soil.  For the vegetables I've also been adding compost from my compost piles when it's available.

I'd like to hear some opinions about this, especially why it might not be advisable.

John 

 
Title: Re: Should I add peat moss to sandy soil before planting a citrus tree?
Post by: SeaWalnut on September 20, 2019, 04:43:20 AM
Peat moss ,if it gets dry,then it will repell water.I used it as a mulch and got dry ,now it repels water.
Compost i think its a good option ,but depends on the ph of your soil.Sandy silt soil usually has low ph allready and the peat moss is used mostly to lower soil ph for acid loving plants.
Title: Re: Should I add peat moss to sandy soil before planting a citrus tree?
Post by: Ilya11 on September 20, 2019, 06:10:51 AM
I agree, peat moss is not very good in semi dry conditions.
In Europe we have a cheep compost made by industrial processing of pine bark, it is excellent for improvement of water retention in sandy soils.
Title: Re: Should I add peat moss to sandy soil before planting a citrus tree?
Post by: jbclem on September 20, 2019, 07:38:23 AM
Ilya,

Do you know how that pine bark compost is made...and if it's mixed with anything else.  i make my potting soil mix with what's called Groundcover Bark, which are small pieces of bark usually pine or fir, and compost, and about 1/3rd peat moss.  It provides more air space than peat moss would.  The question is how much it has to be composted.  I've been using it straight out of the bag for my potting soil mix.

If you know the brand name I might be able to look it up, depending on which language the information is in. 

John
Title: Re: Should I add peat moss to sandy soil before planting a citrus tree?
Post by: Bomand on September 20, 2019, 08:59:42 AM
Expert Potting soil. Walmart.
Title: Re: Should I add peat moss to sandy soil before planting a citrus tree?
Post by: lebmung on September 20, 2019, 10:32:24 AM
Peat moss is good when mixed with sand if you add a wetting agent. Peat moss comes in many forms, red, back, blonde, fine, coarse, different ph, different origin.
So it depends on what you have.

A better option for you would be coconut coir, but it will breakdown in 7-8 years.
Title: Re: Should I add peat moss to sandy soil before planting a citrus tree?
Post by: jbclem on September 21, 2019, 07:08:52 AM
Any opinions on my adding small bark chunks to the soil to help with water retention?
Title: Re: Should I add peat moss to sandy soil before planting a citrus tree?
Post by: Ilya11 on September 21, 2019, 08:05:21 AM
Hi John,
It does have some granulation, but bark chips are not evident

(https://d.radikal.ru/d39/1909/a5/815a360e490d.jpg) (https://radikal.ru)

(https://a.radikal.ru/a30/1909/b9/022b779823c9.jpg) (https://radikal.ru)
Title: Re: Should I add peat moss to sandy soil before planting a citrus tree?
Post by: jbclem on September 24, 2019, 12:00:57 AM
Ilya, thanks for the photos.  They are very useful.  I made my way through the French and looks like it's not recommended for containers.  I wish they had given the percentage in the mix of each ingredient (bark, vegetable compost, vegetable matter and fiber).  For my potting mix I'm using aprox 1/3rd groundcover bark, 1/3rd peat moss, 1/3rd compost, but I often kick up the percentage of bark.  Since my bark isn't composted, the mix isn't as fine as the one in the photo.

This looks much better than just adding peat moss to the soil.  I think I'll try a variation of my mix with a citrus tree and see how it works.  I wonder how much I should add in a 3'x3' hole, 24" deep.
Title: Re: Should I add peat moss to sandy soil before planting a citrus tree?
Post by: Ilya11 on September 24, 2019, 03:36:28 AM
Yes, it is recommended for the soil structure improvement, not for a  pot culture.There is no fertilizer in it. Actually, some lots of it have more granulated appearance and several people on French board use it with added fertilizers as a pot substrate.