The MG garden soil near me (Philadelphia) looks like straight compost.  It is black and dense.  I was a little leery about using it as Millet suggested, but I tried anyway (added 1/4 perlite) this spring.  Most of the plants I used it on were newly ordered, and took a beating with transplant shock.  But have since put on new growth, and some really nice root growth.  So I'd have to say Go for it!

It would still be nice to know if there's regional differences in the makeup of the soil.  Let us know if you find out Cory.

Hi all,  I'm hoping to get some help identifying 4 different problems I'm having with 4 different plants. 

I've been into Citrus about a year, and all of these plants are grown in containers and less than a year old, all by mail order from either Harris or FourWinds.  Two of the issues I noticed when I first got the plants, and have been getting progressively worse over the summer.  All of the plants are in Miracle Grow Garden soil and perlite mix.  I've tried several different fertilizers to see if the micronutrients in any one of them might clear up the issues.  But just seems to be getting worse.

#1  Nordmann Kumquat
Yellowing of leaves characteristic of a metal deficiency.  Thin darker veins.  Newer leaves more pronounced yellow.  Plant came discolored, getting worse.





#2 Meiwa Kumquat-  (actually 2 plants same issue from same grower)
Yellow spotting, and small brown lesions within spotting.  Leaves drop before the leaves turn yellow completely.  Plant came discolored, getting worse.  Have lost about a third of its leaves.   Thought maybe Magnesium deficiency, so treated with 1tsp/gal Epsom salt, but still getting new developing symptom.






#3 Meiwa Kumquat -(different plant different grower)
Lower half of leaf turns a yellow green, then leaf falls.  Have lost nearly half the leaves on plant.  Some leaves show a puckered effect around the leaf veins.  Possible overwatering?






#4 Rangpur Lime
 Old leaf bronzing.  It almost looks like a sunscald.  But the location on the plant wouldnt suggest that.  Just a Nitrogen thing?

I made buddhacello this past winter.

Take care not to use the white part of the skin.  The recipe I found said that you can, but it made the drink bitter.  It'll take time to Peel the yellow off of all the fingers, but I think it'll make a better end product.

These cooling walls are amazing, as effective as air conditioning.  They had them at PSU where I went to school.  Since they work via evaporation I don't think they're a viable option for extremely humid climates like the South. 

All of you that grow in containers, when's a good time/temps to bring your Citrus outside? 

It seems like the plants I have growing inside start to push out new growth in March, so to get them the most light available I'd want to bring them outside.  But I know that in March it's still too cold.  So I waited until mid April.  But it seems like the colder temps outside (nighttime 40s/50s)  made them sluggish again.

Seems like I have to balance the benefit of added light outside to the detriment of cooler temps.  Any thoughts?  I guess that's why the discussion about indoor lighting...   

Thanks for the positive reassurance Millet. 

As for the taste Mrtexas.  I've heard that they're all on the sour side, which I don't mind.  But bitter is another story.  Since you've tasted them all, how would you characterize the taste?  Anyone else?  I've heard that Keraji tastes lemonadeish.  And Thomasville can be used as a lime substitue when picked early.

As for hardiness in PA, I now I'm borderline and will grow them in pots a couple years first.  Good siting and protection too.  I read a post on here or CGF of a guy who grows Mandarins in ground in Boston with protection, which is much colder than my zone.

I just received 3 varieties of Citrus plants from a well known mail order company.  They arrived all very chlorotic, both leaves and stems very yellow.

All 3 are "cold hardy" types and the lows for both arrival and departure locations was 28-30s.  Shipping was quick, less than 48 hours.

So my questions:  Could it be a reaction to shipping or were the plants in this state before leaving the nursery?  Should I contact the nursery or just plant them and hope for the best?  What would you do?

Here are some pictures.  I placed them next to one of my potted Limes for contrast.

Has anyone here grown a Kumquat from seed?   Which variety?  How large/old are they for first flowers/fruit?  any info would be helpful.