Author Topic: Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?  (Read 7006 times)

Vlk

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 317
    • Czech Republic
    • View Profile
    • exoticke-pestovani.webnode.cz
Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?
« on: March 20, 2013, 04:25:06 AM »
Hi everyone! Could you please recommend some ideal soil solution for potted citrus tree? My tree is about 19 years old and I keep him in almost 100L big pot. I am planning to repot him in a few days. My friend recommended peat and pinewood soil gathered from a pure pine forest, ratio 1:1 with admixture of perlite hydroponics. What do you think?
Durian & avocado lover

HMHausman

  • Mod Emeritus
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3366
    • USA, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, Zone 10B
    • View Profile
    • Pines Ticket Defense, LLC
Re: Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2013, 06:14:53 AM »
That would not be a mix I would use for potted citrus.  There are many mixes which would suffice, but citrus generally prefer some amount of sand in the soil.  I'll leave the exact recipes to those that do potted trees in colder climates.
Harry
Fort Lauderdale, FL 
USA

Vlk

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 317
    • Czech Republic
    • View Profile
    • exoticke-pestovani.webnode.cz
Re: Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2013, 07:12:25 AM »
That would not be a mix I would use for potted citrus.  There are many mixes which would suffice, but citrus generally prefer some amount of sand in the soil.  I'll leave the exact recipes to those that do potted trees in colder climates.
Well my friend said that he doesn't use sand because it makes the soil alkalic and according to him, citrus tree likes accidic soils.
Durian & avocado lover

HMHausman

  • Mod Emeritus
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3366
    • USA, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, Zone 10B
    • View Profile
    • Pines Ticket Defense, LLC
Re: Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2013, 12:15:19 PM »
Is that the same friend that thought you got a pommelo or other citrus from planting a lemon seed?
Harry
Fort Lauderdale, FL 
USA

Vlk

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 317
    • Czech Republic
    • View Profile
    • exoticke-pestovani.webnode.cz
Re: Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2013, 05:53:26 PM »
Is that the same friend that thought you got a pommelo or other citrus from planting a lemon seed?
Yes indeed, that is him. He is, I could say, very experienced with growing citrus trees - some of his plants are over 30 years old. He is a specialist on tomels and figs though.
Durian & avocado lover

simon_grow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6729
  • USA, San Diego, CA, Zone 10a
    • View Profile
Re: Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2013, 06:02:37 PM »
Do a search for gritty mix. I've read good reviews from people on the gardenweb citrus forum.

FlyingFoxFruits

  • Prince of Plinia
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12548
  • www.FlyingFoxFruits.com
    • USA, FEMA Region IV, FL Zone 9a
    • View Profile
    • Flying Fox Fruits
Re: Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2013, 06:05:29 PM »
slightly acid, well draining, yet capable of good moisture retention.
www.FlyingFoxFruits.com

www.PLINIAS.com

https://www.ebay.com/usr/flyingfoxfruits

www.youtube.com/FlyingFoxFruits

https://www.instagram.com/flyingfoxfruits/
I disabled the forum's personal messaging system, please send an email to contact me, FlyingFoxFruits@gmail.com

Vlk

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 317
    • Czech Republic
    • View Profile
    • exoticke-pestovani.webnode.cz
Re: Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2013, 06:08:25 PM »
slightly acid, well draining, yet capable of good moisture retention.
Slightly acid yes - I read that the older the tree is, more acid it might be, that means less sand which makes the soil alkalic.
Durian & avocado lover

HMHausman

  • Mod Emeritus
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3366
    • USA, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, Zone 10B
    • View Profile
    • Pines Ticket Defense, LLC
Re: Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2013, 06:15:34 PM »
I'm out of my element here.  I know in central Florida, the citrus belt, there is a considerable amount of sand in the soil.  Beyond that.... I'll defer to those with more experience in container growing of citrus.  However, it was my understanding that silica, sand that is, does not change the ph,  that it is inert.  Maybe I am way off here.  Let's hear from the potting mix experts on this subject.
Harry
Fort Lauderdale, FL 
USA

HMHausman

  • Mod Emeritus
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3366
    • USA, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, Zone 10B
    • View Profile
    • Pines Ticket Defense, LLC
Re: Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?
« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2013, 06:18:21 PM »
I should say though that while I question this friend's thought s on seedling identification, if he grows citrus successfully for 30 years in the Czech Republic with that mixture , then who am I or who is anyone else, for that matter, to argue or to disagree.
Harry
Fort Lauderdale, FL 
USA

Vlk

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 317
    • Czech Republic
    • View Profile
    • exoticke-pestovani.webnode.cz
Re: Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?
« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2013, 06:24:00 PM »
I should say though that while I question this friend's thought s on seedling identification, if he grows citrus successfully for 30 years in the Czech Republic with that mixture , then who am I or who is anyone else, for that matter, to argue or to disagree.
Thank you for trying to help - as I trust my friend very much, my intention was to only hear experience and ideas of others and create a larger image on the ideal soil. I read many things on it and every stream of information was a bit different. Someone use way more of that then that, and so on. :-) I guess it very much depends on personal experience and every citrus grower do it by his own way. :-)
Durian & avocado lover

digigarden

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 589
  • Maurice or digigarden
    • Dominican Republic,Santo Domingo- Miami.FL addr
    • View Profile
Re: Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?
« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2013, 01:42:18 AM »
with this link you can scroll down and see the chart of general characteristics and it will tell you how each citrus does on sand,loand and clay

http://www.ultimatecitrus.com/pdf/tncitrus.htm

Vlk

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 317
    • Czech Republic
    • View Profile
    • exoticke-pestovani.webnode.cz
Re: Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?
« Reply #12 on: March 21, 2013, 05:37:00 AM »
Would anybody recommend to have a drainage layer on the bottom?
Durian & avocado lover

bangkok

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2823
    • View Profile
Re: Best soil solution for potted citrus tree?
« Reply #13 on: March 21, 2013, 08:45:34 AM »
Yes a pot with more then one hole, some pieces of flat stone on the holes and course sand. On top of that i have a mix of compost with course sand and many natural goodies.

On that a layer of mulch/pinebark and a sprinkler. Then a piece of black plastic maze over it to keep sunshine away and insects who like wet soil. Also to prevent it from hard rain so the soil does not splash out.

But if this tree never fruited in 19 years i would start thinking of other fruits grafted on the stem or another place with more sunlight.

I am not an experienced citrus grower though.
« Last Edit: March 21, 2013, 08:48:02 AM by bangkok »