Citrus Growers Forum

Green Bud · Posted: Sun 11 Sep, 2011 11:01 pm

Hello!

We have sprouted about 17 Imperial Mandarin Seedlings!

However, all the leaves are starting to curl. They are all looking healthy and green otherwise, and they are still sprouting new leaves, but they are curling.

What could be causing this? A deficiency in the soil?

They are in a mixture of Mill Mud, and Peat Moss. Could the soil be too acidic?

Any responses would be welcome!

Thanks!

Millet · Posted: Sun 11 Sep, 2011 11:36 pm

What is Mill Mud? Doesn't sound like something citrus would like to grow in. - Millet (491-)

Green Bud · Posted: Mon 12 Sep, 2011 5:26 am

I guess it must just be an Australian thing Wink

It comes from the sugar cane mills. it is the 'mud' that washes off the cane when they process it. So it is really high in fertilisers and nutrients. It is black in colour, very powdery when dry, but much like mud when wet.
It was all I had at home, and the seedlings needed new pots!

What sort of soil does citrus like?

Thanks!

igor.fogarasi · Posted: Mon 12 Sep, 2011 6:41 am

Green Bud wrote:

I guess it must just be an Australian thing Wink

It comes from the sugar cane mills. it is the 'mud' that washes off the cane when they process it. So it is really high in fertilisers and nutrients. It is black in colour, very powdery when dry, but much like mud when wet.
It was all I had at home, and the seedlings needed new pots!

What sort of soil does citrus like?

Thanks!

citrus enjoy lightweight soils, with plethora of aeration left for roots... mud (whatsoever) sounds like something that preserves air from penetrating the medium, what could eventually lead to fungus infestation subsequently followed by root rot.

nutrients from the soil mixture play no important role if you fertilize your trees on a regular basis. water soluble fertilizers applied weekly or monthly should suffice.

as for the leaves curling, improper watering or water absorption might affect leaves, as well as exposing saplings to stronger source of light than they're used to, which might also trigger the curling of young leaves. there is many other different situations that lead to same outcome.

it's just my humble opinion, the best way to determine the cause is to post a couple of pics which might hopefully reveal the mystery.

igor

Green Bud · Posted: Mon 12 Sep, 2011 6:52 am

Thanks Igor! That's quite helpful!

We sprouted the seedlings indoors, so, yes there was a big light change. The seedlings have a real deep green colour to them. Apart from the curl, they look great.

Tis' night now, so will try and get some photo's 2morrow.

Also, I would assume that transplanting them again so soon would be a bad idea shock wise. how long would people recommend before trying a soil change to something with more sand mixed in?

Cheers

Millet · Posted: Mon 12 Sep, 2011 12:04 pm

I have also seen that the smaller the tree the easier it was to transplant. For small plants I just wash the soil away from the roots. - Millet (490-)

Green Bud · Posted: Tue 13 Sep, 2011 3:29 am

Ok. Here's my first attempt to post some photo's on this forum... hope they work!...

GT · Posted: Thu 15 Sep, 2011 1:00 am

Green Bud,

they are not true leaves yet... Do not worry about them.

Millet · Posted: Thu 15 Sep, 2011 2:42 am

Your going to have to be VERY careful watering those seedlings. They are in very large containers for such little plants. Most growers start seedlings in 2" containers. - Millet (488-)

Green Bud · Posted: Thu 15 Sep, 2011 6:19 am

GT - Thanks - new leaves are growing ok now Smile

Millet - They were the smallest pots I had at home, and when I pulled them out of the container I sprouted them in, their roots were a good 2 inches long, so I didn't want to put them in anything smaller to avoid the roots curling at the bottom.

how often would you recommend I water them? They are in a mix with peat moss which keeps fairly damp, so currently I'm watering them every 2 days with a small amount of water - maybe half a cup each.

Thanks!

Millet · Posted: Thu 15 Sep, 2011 11:55 am

The number one killer of young seedlings is the fungus Rhizoctonia, also known as stem rot. The first two months are the critical time period. Rhizoctonia requires moisture for its existence. When you water your seedlings water them only in the morning, than set the container in the sun so the surface of the soil quickly dries. A dry top soil goes a long way in protecting the seedlings. Of course, the use of a sterile medium to plant the seedlings in is also very important. - Millet (487-)

Green Bud · Posted: Thu 15 Sep, 2011 11:37 pm

Thanks Millet! I'll bear that in mind from now on!