Meyer Lemon Citrus care

[kforbs126]

Hi I'm new to citrus but got an idea from my neighbor who grows lemons in a pretty decent size pot on her porch out here in San Diego. I went out and bought a dwarf meyer lemon and a barass lime. Both in 5 gallon containers.

Anyone have suggestions on good soil to transfer them to and citrus fertilizer? I will be growing in containers probably around 20". I was told at the local nursery here to use a Palm and cactus mix for both trees. How true is that?

I was thinking this from home depot http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/100464259?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=soil&storeId=10051&N=5yc1v&R=100464259#. UTU_3Fc37IU

or

http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202247318?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=cactus+mix&storeId=10051&N=5yc1v&R=20224 7318#.UTVB1Fc37IU

[Sun City Linda]

In San Diego you should be able to grow both of those in the ground which for a tree, is always preferrable. I dont know about palm and cactus mix. I do know citrus require good drainage and will not tolerate standing water so any planting mix should accomplish that. If I were putting them in pots I would add something like like bark fines and/or perlite to the mix. Good luck!

[kforbs126]

Originally Posted by Sun City Linda

In San Diego you should be able to grow both of those in the ground which for a tree, is always preferrable. I dont know about palm and cactus mix. I do know citrus require good drainage and will not tolerate standing water so any planting mix should accomplish that. If I were putting them in pots I would add something like like bark fines and/or perlite to the mix. Good luck!

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I live in an apartment so growing in ground can't happen.

[Cole_Robbie]

I used a typical peat-based pro-mix for my potted key lime and it's doing great. The specific soil you use is not going to matter as much as container size. I put osmocote fertilizer in the pot with it and use Alaskan fish fertilizer when I water. Container trees get root bound very quickly. At least in San Diego, you won't have to keep carrying it inside in cold weather like I have to. My key lime is in a 5-gallon bucket now and getting too big for that. At some point, it will probably end up in a garbage can strapped to a dolly so I can wheel it around.

[Deborah]

I use cactus mix in a 24 inch pot. I feed with citrus food.
We do need to cover our potted citrus occasionally.
A Meyer can live all its life in a 24 inch pot-but I've heard that 18 will do.

[kforbs126]

Originally Posted by Deborah

I use cactus mix in a 24 inch pot. I feed with citrus food.
We do need to cover our potted citrus occasionally.
A Meyer can live all its life in a 24 inch pot-but I've heard that 18 will do.

Thanks for the information Deborah. When you transplanted it did you put any other fertilizer so it wouldn't get shock?

[Deborah]

No ! Just watered it in. I have always heard not to feed when transplanting. Years ago I used B-12, I think it was, but not anymore.

[Sun City Linda]

Agree with Debs post. Do not fert when transplanting unless, as stated it is a product like B-12.

[kforbs126]

Thanks I can't wait to transplant and see how it works out. I want to do it today but it's so gloomy here, may wait until friday.

[Deborah]

Gloomy is what you want for transplanting anything !!! So they don't cook while they're adjusting. I never plant in sunny weather. Or if I do I shade the plant a day or so.

[kforbs126]

Originally Posted by Deborah

Gloomy is what you want for transplanting anything !!! So they don't cook while they're adjusting. I never plant in sunny weather. Or if I do I shade the plant a day or so.

LOL I know I just don't feel like being outside anymore today. I was freezing all day long.

[Deborah]

But we're supposed to get 3 or 4 days of rain so you hafta !