Citrus in pots (forum)

Christine starts with ...
Hi everyone, I have several young fruit trees now and they are all growing well, i.e. fig, mulberry, blackcurrent, blueberries and citrus. However, I realize that I should have potted the citrus into larger pots. I plan to buy some half barrels for them but am not sure of the following.... As long as I fertilize them correctly, does it matter if I use a good soil mix or a good potting mix ?

Time: 6th March 2010 11:52am

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About the Author Christine
Lake Macquarie
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Mish says...
Hi Christine

I am growing my Key lime and Lisbon lemon in a large pot. I used a soil mixture of 1/2 good quality potting mix and 1/2 good compost from my local soil supplier (this is what he recommended). At the time of potting (early Dec 2009) I added some dynamic lifter - fruit and citrus. A month later I added some Seamungus (plant tonic) and today (6 weeks later) just added some Blood and Bone.

Pic 2 is when I just potted my lemon, Pic 1 is what it looks like now. Pic 4 is my lime when I just bought it and Pic 3 is what it looks like now.
Both my trees are thriving and appear to be very happy (and so am I because they have lots of new growth).

Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3
Picture: 4

Time: 6th March 2010 2:13pm

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About the Author Mish
Singleton
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Mags&gaz says...
Just wondering where did you get the Key lime? I haven't seen them anywhere

Time: 5th April 2010 9:15pm

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About the Author magsgaz1
Wooloowin
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Julie says...
Mags, they will grow successfully from seed (unlike other citrus), so maybe someone here can send you a few seeds. I gave my key lime away because I didn't like it - I prefer the Tahitian lime. Just personal preference.

Time: 6th April 2010 7:06pm

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About the Author Julie
Roleystone WA
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Mags&gaz says...
OK thanks I'll look out for one and taste it first, then plant the seeds if I like it.

Time: 6th April 2010 7:29pm

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About the Author magsgaz1
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Brad says...
If you're not seeing Key limes, know that West Indian Limes or Mexican Limes are all the same plant. Mine is labelled West Indian

Time: 8th April 2010 5:01pm

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About the Author Brad2
Como, Perth
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Christine says...
Hi Mish, Thanks for your helpful info. I've bought two humungus half wine-barrels for my citrus (got to go away on a camping trip first) ...will probably follow your advice although they are growing like mad just with good quality potting mix at the moment (with added blood and bone and citrus food etc).
Christine

Time: 11th April 2010 4:10pm

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About the Author Christine
Lake Macquarie
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Itdepends says...
Just watch the wine barrels- being wood and slatted- they'll dry out very quickly. If you like the look, putting a large, cheap plastic pot inside to plant into would help retain moisture. Just cover up/around the plastic pot with potting mix.

Time: 11th April 2010 9:59pm

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MaryT says...
You can keep a citrus productive in a pot for decades. See this one in the Chelsea Physic Garden in London. I visited there recently.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1

Time: 25th September 2013 1:10pm

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About the Author MaryT
Sydney
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Boris Spasky says...
You can Mary, but the majority cark it early. Those that do are in cooler climates (Tasmania, UK), where they are protected from frost and the potting media dries out a lot slower.
Compounding the difficulty is that dwarfing rootstocks are the least drought tolerant which makes getting quality fruit out of reach for most busy people.


Time: 25th September 2013 2:07pm

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About the Author Boris Spasky
 
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MaryT says...
I take your point, Boris but I hope to keep mine alive for a while yet. When they go I will be philosophical; nothing lasts forever. I wonder if anyone has an old potted citrus? How old would the oldest be in Australia?

Time: 25th September 2013 2:44pm

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About the Author MaryT
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