Bush2Beach, the question was ‘can you overmulch Citrus in San Diego?’ From Millet’s answer I think it is possible to over mulch to the detriment of your trees. I read your comments (a rant perhaps ) several times and I’m guessing that it is your opinion that it’s impossible to overmulch in San Diego. That is a statement of absolute that is not defendable by any know research. That would be like saying apples are always red , which is false by the way but might be what you believe.

The way I read your post, most of your comments are attacks and absolutes. They are also unproven as best I can see. They are your opinion but not based on any research that I am familiar with.  Perhaps you would find that a more kind and more gentle approach might be more appreciated by other people.

As far as the answer to the original question,’ can you overmulch in San Diego ? ‘ With no formal training I know 1 aspirin can be very good for you once a day but 7 aspirin once a week is not so good. A warning would need to be added that some people can be allergic to aspirin and they should avoid aspirin and aspirin like products.

My grands just walked in so I guess my rant has been long enough.

Millet , thank you for your answer to the mulch question.

Tom

marant, welcome to the forum ! We are glad you found it. I think you will enjoy it for hours. You will be an excellent and valuable member. Thank you for your input. Tom

vanman, your containers are beautiful. Do you know the gallons of soil and how long do you think you can keep your citrus in that size container ?  Do you have other citrus in these containers ? Reminds me of what I’ve seen in Versailles ! I’ve seen containers like that for sale and they can be very pricey ! Millet and/or maybe others have similar containers sometimes on pallets to move around as necessary. Again, maybe that is Versailles, great job !!! Tom

I’m taking rosuvastatin for cholesterol. I’m glad to know it’s ok with grapefruit. It’s generic for Crestor and it’s the smallest pill I’ve ever seen ! Tom

So far I agree completely but I also plan to give it more time. Cold hardness is not all I’m looking for ! Tom

Isaac-1, is a hoop house a possibility during the worse parts of the winter ? I have a similar situation but I don’t have room in my yard at home. Really I don’t have permission from my boss. She rules the home and does a great job but she does not share my weakness for citrus ! You can heat and cool a temporary hoop house during the winter months for a somewhat reasonable amount of money I think. I know people that do and they love their hobby. The hoop house can get very hot on pretty days in winter. You have to be able to open doors on the ends and raise the sides too on bright sunshine days.

Citrus expert Dr. Arlie Powell told me it was possible to have about 50 Meyer lemons on a container grown mature Meyer. He was talking about 1/2 whiskey barrel and a grafted dwarf Meyer several years old. A 25 gallon container can be managed with careful planning and it would be possible to move to a protected place on short notice for brief periods of time.

Good luck !

Tom

From what I can see your citrus looks fantastic. You might need exhaust fans to help ease your humidity. If you get blooms it will smell great inside ! I see citrus that you will need to pick this winter ! On a nice day with decent temps you might need to take everything back outside to spray horticultural oil for pest control. You seem to have a greenhouse in your home. From the pictures it looks like you know what you have been doing. What have you done in other years ? Again from what I can see it all looks awesome ! Tom

Suzanne42, that’s not what I get when I click on the link for that motel. Now I get quoted senior $65 pay now non refundable or pay $69 at check in and free cancellation. AARP or over 60 is quoted at $70. I think it’s changing a little but I wrote down what it was quoting. Maybe my computer thinks I’m a member of this hotel chain or something. I still have not been quoted a dollar amount for those dates as high as the discounted Citrus Expo rates. It might be my error or a computer thing but they list a lower price every way you figure for what I am seeing. Tom

50 pineapples ! That's like the holy grail to me. How do your pineapples compare to fresh pineapple in Hawaii ? I got to go to Hawaii about 20 years ago and one of my best memories is how sweet the fresh pineapple tasted while we were there. I sent some to my closest friends by airmail, maybe over night (?). One of my friends is still talking about it. Unbelievable how much better fresh is ! I'm guessing your pineapple are better than anything you can buy in the grocery store at any time of year ? That's awesome Millet !!! Could you paste a link here if you have written about your experiences growing pineapples in your green house. Like do you grow them in your Rootmaker pots, how large, how long etc. ? Tom

Chris1, somewhere I recently read that it estimated that every mature orange tree in Florida is infected with Greening Disease. You can google Citrus Greening disease and read about it here and other places for days. I don't have any experience way with it up here in central alabama. It has been found in Alabama too but has not spread to the center part of the state yet. Lots of people and many dollars are being spent in various areas of research.

What is a good citrus for me doesn't mean it will be good for you in central Florida. You are in what I think of as the heart of citrus country. If you keep listening and reading you will know the answer down there because that's where I think all the research is going on. Your local extension service would be able to suggest what to do and best varieties for your situation.

All of us here on this site love citrus but most of us see a terrible storm coming and you are unfortunately right in the middle of it right now.

Sugar Belle is a fairly new variety and from what I've heard it's highly touted for your area. I don't have any experience with it. It's much colder up here far from mouse land !

I hope this helps but you are opening a huge box of worms. Again I'd turn to your local extension people. They are charged with the responsibility of education of the public. They are an excellent resource. Use them. They are an arm of the University of Florida. The University of Florida is working diligently on this problem 24 hours a day. We are all hoping somebody can come up with some answers for Greening.

The name is even misleading. To most people green means good. This thing is not good. It's horrible.

Tom

brian, your greenhouse looks awesome. It's going to be great. Congrats on the wife and new baby/boss ! Tom

Great post. Dr. Wayne Hanna's work is very exciting. Great job University of Georgia ! Thanks Millet. I have no idea where you find all these 'gems'. Tom