Vitax Citrus Feed for Winter Soluble Plant Feeds,

Product Information

TOP TIP You can apply your citrus feed as a foliar feed to help get the nutrients directly to the affected leaves. Simply make it up at half strength and water the solution directly on to the leaves and new shoots. Be sure to do this in the morning or evening so that bright sunlight does not scorch the leaves. Too much rain can lead to root rot and the same is said of snow if you leave compact snow on top of the soil. So always keep your eye out for this and make sure that the root ball doesn’t freeze and the roots aren’t sitting in water. Even though they are hardy to an extent, we still recommend bringing them indoors so they don’t get caught out in a sudden temperature drop. Spikes are best for potted citrus trees, rather than those in the ground. Different companies sell these. Fertilizer spikes utilize the nutrients potassium and phosphorus to feed citrus trees for producing fruit and flowers. Some go the extra step and include Mycorrhizal fungi and single-celled Archaea that work together to increase the productivity of the tree’s root mass. They’re used twice per year in the soil around trees. You can find spikes in most home improvement stores. Citrus Fertilizer Sprays

Potting should ideally take place in the spring or early summer when the plant begins to show signs that it is growing. Sometimes you might decide to repot your tree in the summer because your plant has grown on a lot or because you are struggling to keep up with the watering. However, avoid potting up your plant in the late autumn or winter unless there is a good reason as it will not be growing and the roots won’t move into the new soil. What kind of soil? Most citrus growers fertilize with powdered organic fertilizer. Here, feed your orange, lime, or lemon tree in dormancy. Thoroughly water the area, then evenly spread the powder. For established plants and shrubs, apply the powder at the drip line at 1 cup per 1.5 feet of spread, or 2 cups per 3 feet of spread. For a fully-grown tree, use 3 cups per inch for trunks that are 3 inches in diameter or less. Use 9 cups for a larger tree. Two brands that use natural sources for their powders are Espoma and Bumper Crop. In addition to feeding regularly, it is a good idea to top up your citrus tree compost every spring and to repot it at least every other spring to give it a fresh boost of nutrients.

Advice on Watering

Lemons and Kaffir limes can tolerate temperatures down to 0°C and for short amounts of time, temperatures that are -1°C to -2°C. If you have a mild winter, you can keep your trees outside, but you should still make sure they aren’t sitting in water and are protected from a lot of rain and snow. Citrus like cool, but not cold, conditions in winter, as a little growth does take place. A minimum winter night temperature of 10°C (50°F) is fine for lemons. Calamondin oranges need at least a minimum winter night temperature of 13°C (55°F). Other species will tolerate cooler conditions, not falling below 7°C (45°F). Watering Citrus does best in soil that is somewhat acidic, and an acidic fertilizer (like those made for cacti and succulents) can also be beneficial. The best citrus tree fertilizer one especially formulated for citrus trees, like the NPK fertilizer found in Citrus.com’s own All in One Kitsand Soil and Care Kits. When should I fertilize my citrus tree?

Citrus trees love their sunlight and as the sun is now setting earlier and rising later it’s important to get your tree in a bright location where it can still get a good few hours of direct light a day. You should only water when the top of the soil is actually dry to the touch. Most problems come not from watering too much but watering too often. If you consistently overwater your plant, you will starve the roots of oxygen, and prevent them from functioning properly. They can start dropping their leaves a few at a time at this stage and if it continues can lead to root rot and eventually the death of the plant. Advice on Humidity The most common mistake when caring for lemons trees is over and under-watering. Citrus plants will not tolerate having “wet feet” so avoid leaving sitting in water and ensure that the compost has excellent drainage. Other varieties, such as ‘Yen Ben’, can be grown in pots and moved into shelter during winter. Standardised ‘Meyer’ lemons are often sold as indoor plants down south, but it’s best to take them outdoors whenever you can on a nice sunny winter’s day to give them a breather.

If your lemon tree is currently being kept directly inside the house, then stop! Despite citrus trees being classed as 'indoor trees', they don’t like direct heat and central heating can dry out the air where humidity is needed. Citrus trees flourish in places with good air circulation and where they can receive plenty of light, so a porch area for example would be perfect. Feed citrus with a proprietary citrus fertiliser. Use a high-nitrogen liquid feed from early spring to mid-summer

If your chosen fertilizer is in spike form, put these in the ground during the dormant season, shortly before spring. Find the drip line of your tree (or the area 2 to 3 feet outside the circumference of the canopy), and water the area thoroughly. Place the protective cap on the spike, and hammer it in so it’s flush with the ground. You can use multiple spikes for one tree, and up to 4 at one time. Younger trees should have spikes closer to the 2-foot range outside the trunk diameter, and older trees should have fertilizer spikes in the 3-foot range. In containers, place one as far from the trunk as possible. Sprays Container-grown trees like this mandarin may need more regular fertilization. Source: crouz1 A slow-release fertilizer for orange tree growers is an excellent way to reduce the number of times you have to fertilize. This lessens the workload and simplifies your citrus fertilization schedule. So if you’re wondering when to fertilize lemon trees with slow-release plant food or granular fertilizer, know it will only have to be a few times per year. The best citrus tree fertilizer of this kind is adaptable to an indoor or outdoor tree. In the case of slow-release organic fertilizer for indoor trees, you can fertilize all year round for active growth. An outdoor tree should receive fertilizer in dormancy. Just sprinkle the granules around the area to be fertilized at a rate of 3 tablespoons for every 2 by 2-foot area. Then work them lightly into the soil, and water them in. Frequently Asked Questions Yellowed leaf edges can be a sign of nutrient deficiency. Source: Keith Williamson

STOP PRESS: NOVEMBER 2022. So far this autumn has been unseasonably warm but wet. Because of this, you may choose to keep your trees out a little longer than usual but do make sure their roots have a chance to dry out between downpours. Citrus trees sensitive roots should not sit in water so use pot feet to keep pots with drainage holes up above the puddles and consider moving your trees up against the side of the house or under a porch to protect them from the worst of the rain. As the days get shorter and we move from autumn to winter the care your plants need will change. 1. Watering Spent flowers and dead fruits should be removed regularly from both indoor and outdoor plants to keep the tree looking neat and to avoid fungal problems. Lemon trees and particularly the mature Lemon trees can take cooler temperatures right down to 0 degrees and can go outside as soon as the night time temperature is above freezing. (They will even survive a mild frost if you get caught out).

Citrus trees have been grown in the UK for hundreds of years and in the right spot are easy and really rewarding plants. When the space between a leaves veins begins to yellow, leaving the veined green, the plant is thought to be suffering from interveinal chlorosis, or an iron deficiency. When this happens to a lemon tree, it can be remedied by increasing the plant’s iron intake. Commonly, a lemon tree iron deficiency is treated with chelates, sprayed directly onto the leaves. That is an example of leaves with choloris.Indoors try to keep your plant away from any radiators, under floor heating or draughts and if on a windowsill keep the leaves from touching the glass. Citrus plants should keep their leaves all winter, which means they require plenty of light, humidity and occasional watering and feeding. Many citrus flower in late winter. The time is important. It’s best not to do anything that will encourage growth or activity in your citrus tree during its inactive times (i.e. the fall and winter months) including fertilizing and pruning. A young tree can be fertilized every once every 2-3 months during this dormant period, but mature citrus trees should only have fertilizer applied during the spring and summer, about once every 1-2 months (increasing the time between feedings to once every 2-3 months once the tree matures). In winter, when plants are indoors, allow the surface of the compost to partially dry out before watering, then water thoroughly with tepid rainwater, allowing the excess to drain away. Overwatering in winter is one of the commonest problems, so err on the dry side. And never leave pots standing in water, as this can cause the roots to rot. Yellowing of the leaves or shedding leaves can be signs of overwatering.