Mandarin tree fruiting and fertilising questions (forum)

Marcus starts with ...
Hi everyone,

Is it normal for Mandarin trees to have many tiny fruits drop off ?

Also, when do one normally fertilise a Mandarin tree within a year ?

So far, i have fertilised it in September, and December with chicken manure, potassium, and citrus fertiliser.Is it too much ? I am worried that it is encouraging leaf growth instead of fruits.

I live in Melbourne and my Mandarin is the Emperor variety, and it is about 4 years old.

I have attached some photos of my mandarin tree for easier reference.

Many thanks everyone.
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3

Time: 9th January 2014 6:51pm

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About the Author Marcus
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Boris Spasky says...
Looks like you may be over doing the N.
Not a good idea to have the understory crowded with other plants.
Tree should be able to carry fruit at that age.
What is your watering program? Mulch?


Time: 9th January 2014 10:02pm

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About the Author Boris Spasky

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Jason says...
My first thought was why do you have plants under it, just didn't want to be the one to say it.

Usually the problem with mandarins is having to thin the fruit. I don't let my trees carry fruit before five years anyway because it slows them down do much.

So I'd continue with the heavy fertiliser until its a little bigger then back the nitrogen off until it flowers heavily.

Time: 10th January 2014 3:01am

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About the Author Jason
Portland
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Marcus says...
I water the tree whenever the weather is hot and dry, and i use lawn clippings as the mulch. ok, i will reduce the amount of fertiliser then.

And the plants around it are lily bulbs.
But i will get rid of it.

Time: 10th January 2014 10:56pm

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About the Author Marcus
Melbourne
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Jason says...
Marcus, is it in a sunny spot? North side of the house?. Often lack of sunlight reduces flowering although citrus generally don't care

Time: 11th January 2014 12:48am

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About the Author Jason
Portland
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Brain says...
Yes, emperors does drop a bit of fruit at about thumb tag size. I have one and it does that a lot. Also, they seem to be alternate bearing - great one year, nothing the next.

I would not use lawn clipping as mulch - i.e. nitrogen draw down.

Citrus has shallow roots and don't like competition from other plants.

I think regular small doze of slow release citrus fertiliser is the go. For mere mortals, it is quite hard to time the plant and give it the right doze of specialised fertilier for it to fruit and hold fruit. What you can do is to keep the plant healthly with enough nutrients for it to flower and support fruit. From what I can see, your tree is doing well, so your existing fertiliser regime is working. IMHO, probably a tad too much.

Time: 13th January 2014 12:44pm

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About the Author Brain
Brisbane
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Mike Tr says...
Emperors are the best in tropical cliamtes as they fruit heavily every year and have a better flavour than otheres in humid conditions.I think in cooler climates imperials,satsumas and so many more might be better.
Fertilize after fruiting with something like 10:10:10, and have some micronutrients and all well back from the trunk.All mulch is good but away from the trunk and not piled deep.N drawdown should not be too bad.

Time: 13th January 2014 3:26pm

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About the Author Mike Tr
Cairns
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